Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1906-08-09
The DEMOCRATIC STATE
CONVENTION.
NOMINATIONS MADE, THE PLATFORM AND
OTHER MATTERS.
NOTES ON THE PROCEEDINGS.

proposition of Senator La Toilette, re-
garding railroad rate legislation.
which, if adopted, would have brought
certain relief, and was in perfect ac-
cord with the declarations on that sub
ject in the Democratic platform of
1896.
Fully believing In the honesty, in
tegrity and wisdom of William Jen-
nings Bryan, and that under his lead
ership the people would receive relief
from the many ills above referred to,
We commend him to the people of the
United States as candidate for presi-
dent in 1908
Two: We favor the nomination OF
all candidates for office by direct vote
of the people and will do everything in
our power to secure legislation directly
to that end. We favor the adoption of
such legislation or constitutional
amendments as shall provide, viz:
(a) For the election of railroad and
tax commissioners by direct vote of
the people.
CD We favor home rule, giving TO
any city, village. county or township
the right to decide for itself, subject TO
the referendum all matters of purely
local interest, regarding local taxes
and the question of owning and operat-
ing any given public utility, requiring
franchise rights. or granting of fran
chise for such ownership to a private
company.
(c) We are in favor of the nomina-
ton and election Of United States SEN
ators by direct vote Of the people.
I'D We favor the repeal OF the so
called indeterminate sentence law, and
restoring TO the judges discretion in
the punishment of persons convicted
OF crime.
(e) We are opposed to a political
pardon board and in favor of its aboli-
ton.
% We reaffirm our faith in pop
ular government by majority vote and
pledge ourselves TO enact the same by
the adoption of that principle of pure
Democracy, the initiative and refern-
dunn and popular recall.
Three: We are In favor of a pas
senger rate on railroads not exceeding
two cents per mile in the southern
peninsula of this state and not eX-
ceeding three cents per mile in the
northern peninsula.
Four: We most emphatically de-
clare for the election of delegates To
he Forthcoming constitutional conven-
ION by hon partisan method and that
any candidate for delegate may have
his name as such candidate placed on
the official ballot, IL a petition by
reasonable number of voters is filed in
his behalf. The names on the official
ballot should be without party or 9th
CT designation. We demand an amend
ment TO the election law by eliminat-
ing the cross at the head of the ticket,
and in place thereof require placing
cross before the name of each candi,
date for whom the voter desires to
vote.
Five: We condemn In the most un-
mistakeable terms, the action of the
last legislature in passing the change
OF venue law, which makes it possible
for a litigant upon making pre-
scribed affidavit without any investiga-
tiCn. as to the truth OF the statements
therein made. to have his case trans.
ferred to another circuit, thus placing
a premium upon perjury and discom
moding litigants and making the trial
of causes a farce.
Six: We believe that laws should
be enacted making il a criminal Of
tense for any member Of the state leg
islatuTe, or state officer, TO accept or
use free transportation from any rail
road G" transportation company.
Seven We denounce the present
primary election law as a fraud and
, sham. and pledge ourselves to enact
primary law simple and workable
and that will not. in its operation de-
prive any voter Of his franchise.
Eight: Our state government needs
readjustment upon the lines OF greater
economy and better business methods.
We urge the voters of Michigan to lay
aside party prejudices, to elect mem
bers of the legislature who are in
sympathy with honest primary reform,
and the other principles herein enun-
ciated, and TO unite with us in electing
4 the state officers nominated at this
convention who are pledged to the
earnest support of those principles.