The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1905-06-01
THE PLATFORM
Adopted by The Democratic Slate Conven.
ton Last Week.

The Democracy of Pennsylvania,
repeating its pledges of last year,
again tenders to the people of the
state the power of its organization
and the ballots OF its voters to rid
the commonwealth and its met-opo.
lis of machine domination.
We need not again rehearse the
irrefutable indictments of our re-
cent platforms convicting the domi-
nent party of the absolute prosttu-
ton of every function of govern
ment to corrupt debased personal
partisanship.
Fair minded citizens of the state
admit the truth of these indict-
ments, deplore existing politica.
conditions, and yet heretofore have
failed to exercise their power to re-
form them.
The last session Of the Legisla-
ture was worse than all its prede-
cessors, disappointed every hope of
the people, and responded with
alacrity to every command of the
machine. Legislation in the pub
lie interest was given no consider
alton while schemes of the ring
were forced through without debate
and sometimes by fraudulent
counts of legislators votes.
EXtravagant appropriations were
made aggregating millions of dol
lars beyond the revenues OF the
state and leaving only the veto
power Of the governor to save the
treasury from bankruptcy.
The constitutional obligation to
reapportion the state was utterly
disregarded. The demand of the
people of all political parties foi
fair ballot law was houted. Salar-
les increased and needless officers
were created for no other purpose
than to reward machine dependents
and followers. The established
form Of government of the chief
as to bring its powers more COM
pletely under the control of the cor
rupt and unscrupulous men who
have so long dominated it. The
appalling condition Of public affairs
in that city has long been a Won
der to the people of the entire coun-
try, and Philadelphia is spoken of
with scorn and contempt wherever
municipal government is discussed.
The people of our State have been
amazed at the apparent subserv-
iency of that city to corrupt ma
chine. Public sentiment seemed
paralyzed and civic pride dead, as
at each succeeding election by enor-
nous majorities the people of Phila-
delphia voted to continue their own
debasement.
Now as the crowning outrages
are about to be heaped upon her
and she finds herself bereft of her
franchises and property she cries
for help.
There is no hope for Philadel-
phia except in the union Of good
citizens with the Democratic organ
ization to overthrow her machine
government.
PLEDGED TO AID PHILADELPHIA.
To the redemption of Philadel-
phia this convention hereby pledges
the power of the Democratic organ
ization in the state, acting through
its legislators, and of the Demo.
cratic organization in Philadelphia
with all the votes and power it can
command.
Sincerely intent upon the reform
alton of public affairs, we invite
honest men of all parties and organ
izations to full union with us.
AS the first and important step:
to this end we demand:
First, The enactment of a tail
ballot law, which shall provide tol
personal registration Of voters il
the cities of the state, for the Sc
curing Of free, equal and secre
ballot, affording the greatest facil
ity for independent voting, making
the appointment of overseers, ant
the opening of ballot boxes obliga
tory whenever demanded by citi
zens formally charging contemplat
ed or accomplished fraud.
Under existing laws elections il
Philadelphia, affecting the entir
state as well, have become a farce