The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1905-06-29

TO purchase supplies for---fhe Panama
canal In the markets OF the world, ana
not pay tribute to our protected monopo-
lies. We trust that the day may soon
come when the common people OF this
country may enjoy the same privilege
and not be compelled to pay the manu-
facturers for the necessaries OF life
higher price than these same articles are
sold for by the same manufacturers TO
foreign purhasers.
We demand Of cur representatives In
congress to aid in tho enactment OF such
laws as will prevent all rebates and ve-
cret contracts by railways and will guar
antee the same service to every citizen.
We favor the comforting upon the in
terstate commerce commission the
power when IL finds rate unreasonable
to fix reasonable rate.
Tho Democratic party pledges itself In
this state election, II successful, to use
It's utmost endeavor to eliminate the
graft and political corruption that has
been nourished and fastened upon the
state by the Republican party In the last
few years. We have seen the blighting
effect OF boss rule In one Of our cities,
and we call upon the voters irrespective
OF party, to unite in preventing Its per-
manent ;odgment in control Of our state.
We demand that the laws shall be SO
amended that the revenue necessary for
the expenses of the state shall be raised
without calling upon the counties for
levy and thereby secure for each county
home rule In taxation; |. e., every county
Will raiSe only wnlt 1t needs for It's own
expenses and Its citizens authorize.
We declare that the present laws for
assessing the property of steam railroads
and other public service corporations
should be so changed as to compel the
assessment of these properties at not
less than their salable value as going
n a. L. IL .-a- -
just taxation.
We demand that the legislature shall
enact such laws ms will enable a tax to
be levied on local franchise privileges as
on other property which now, although OF
great value, pay nothing toward the bur-
dens OF local governments.
The Democratic party now, as in the
past, guarantees to each and every citi-
zen equal rights and protection and to
each and every individual the greatest
liberty possible consistent with general
good and the proper consideration of the
right OF others.
We believe in free and unqualified hoHie
rule. free from state Interference. Each
city, town and village should be allowed
to decide for itself all matters OF local
policy. especially between public or
private ownership of all public utilities,
including street railways, well as wa
ter works and lightning systems and that
provision should be made for submitting
such questions to the people upon re-
quest from reasonable number OF vot-
ers and at such elections the votes OF a
majority shall decide. Such public owner
ship should be safeguarded by the merit
system OF appointment and tenure OF
office. so as to prevent the building up
OF political machines and the perpetual
tion OF boss rule
We condemn tho foist.ng upon the
state 0f n Ad nd bur-
school code and demand its, immediate
repeal. and we also protest against that
provision OF the school code by which
nearly 100000 of school funds are an
nually diverted from their proper use and
into the pockets Of county auditors In the
form Of unearned fees.
We are in favor of the retention, main
tenance and Improvement of the canal
system Of the state We condemn the
action OF the governor In using his office
and influence to further the passage OF
what was known as the Electric Mule
BILL" and his action when the legislature
had defeated this iniquitous measure by
which he forced the state board OF public
works to extend the lease OF the Miami
and Erie Canal Transportation company,
after 1t had been shown that ii was both
corrupt and bankrupt. We further ar
raign his administration because II has
not long ago commenced legal proceed
inBS 10 GUST tnlS corporation from the
property Of the state.
We condemn the unfair treatment of
the agricultural interests OF the state at
the hands of tho Republican party We
denounce the party for it's meager appro-
priation by its Legislature for agricultural
purposes and the wholesale vetoing OF
the same by the governor.
We condemn the present fee system
and demand the enactment of a reason
able salary law.
We favor the rigid inspection and SUI
pervision OF state and private banks.
We favor legislation which will make
unlawful the giving to or accepting by
public officials OF railroad passes.
We favor the election OF United States
senators by the direct vote of the people.
We favor the initiative and referendum,
especially with reference to the issuing
OF municipal and county bonds and the
granting of public franchises. No fran
chise extension " renewal thereof should
be granted by any county. city or villagu
without first submitting the same to q
vote of the people.
In order to secure purity In elections.
we favor the repeal OF all special limita-
tions as to time within which criminal
prosecutions may be begun for bribery
In elections.
Two amendments to the constitution
are proposed for the consideration of the
voters: One. exempting city. village.
hamlet. county. township and school
bonds from taxation. The other, proyid-
Ing for biennial elections for state, cour.
ty and local officers. We believe that the
former will give a larger opportunity TO
the home investor, result to the advant-
age of the local subdivisions OF the state
In the sale Of bonds and provide wider
market. The latter amendment will di-
vorce local and municipal questions from
consideration OF state and federal polt-
cies and promote independence in tho
electorate. We therefore favor the adop-
tion OF both amendment and direct the
officers Of this convention to certify such
action to the secretary OF state to be
placed upon the ballot.
In conclusion we ask the people of tn,
state In this election. which involves no
national issues, to Join with us In reIiey-
Ing our state OF the triumvirate that has
II In control who have grown arrogant
and corrupt, who have multiplied Offices
to make places for their friends; who
have refused to save the money OF the
people by substituting salaries for fees I'm
county Offices; who have swollen the ex-
penses OF the administration OF the gov
ernment OF the state to double what Il
was under the last Democratic adminis-
tration, and who, to meet these expenses.
have devised various new ways to tag
the living and the dead, and by keeping
the general levy down deceive the people
and continue their extravagant rule.
They have abolished spring elections for
like purpose and placed restrictions
upon the official tallot. They have GER
rymandered the judicial districts, in fact
they have hesitated at nothing whicn
would aid their deviIish ingenuity. which
N.Aa