The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-09-27

capital IL invested In these enterprises,
and o. the community for whose benefit
they are chartered. 80 - -
REPuMIcANs DENOUNCED.
We denounce as's crime against morals
administration TO- permit an Investigation
OF the different departments OF the State
government especially. d the. banking
department, upon the ayowed ground
ruption 50 gross as TO cpdanger party suc-
cess and result In the discredit, disgrace
and possible imprisonment OF men prom
inent In high finance, q well as their plant
tools In public ONCE. Such confession II
conclusive evidence Of the necessity for
the Investigation. A desire for secrecy
"a to the administration Of any Office is
consistent only with . purpose TO conceal
II intrusted with the administration OF
b State government We promise that
there shall be an impartial and public In
v~estigation OF. every department OF the
State. that abuses may, be discovered,
errors corrected and those responsible
for offences Of administration justly and
fearlessly prosecuted.
INSURANCE. SCANDALS.
The recent investigation of insurance
companies manifestly affords but a faint
idea OF the gross and sordid corruption
which has governed their administration
" - Oh8 POAhOds ~ 10 ~ "a "a NA
paralleled dimensions that these shocking
exposures lave resulted merely In the dis
charge Of q few officers whose ineficiency
for plumber was established by the fact
that they had allowed their enormities
to be discovered, while the more desperate
culprits,. who were most adroit in plotting
their villainies and who profted by them
most extensively, have been allowed TO
remain in control OF the vast trust funds
they have pillaged and wasted. We de-
mand the passage OF such legislation as
will deal effectively with the whole subject
OF life insurance and encourage this form
Of economy by making its fruits absolutely
secure. We are resolved, above all, that
every rogue who has aided in planning
this plumber, who has onnived at 1t or
shared in its profits, shall be pursued by
every punitive weapon OF the law, wleideI
by honest fearless. loyal public prosecutors.
rate Of wages and all other statutes enacted
in the interest OF labor, should be as strictly
enforced as those intended for the protec-
ton and security Of capital.
PLATooNs FOR POLICE.
We favor the extension, so far as prac-
ticable, Of the eight hour law (by the three
platoon system, or such other means as
may be efectivel to the uniformed police
force. charged Wit the important task OF
maintaining peace in the various cities OF
the State; and to secure the members from
improper influences we believe that in case
Vi LAAAR NAAo nv - 'hCoA@ ~
to review the proceedings in every instance.
BETTER PAT FoR
The teachers in our common schools,
engaged in preparing the youth OF the State
to pea the burdens, discharge the duties
and meet the responsibilities OF citizenship,
are exercising the most important function
in the Whole scope Of our public service.
On their fdelityI capacity and ability mainly
rest our prospects OF future growth in
morals and intelligenceAthe true fountains
Of all prosperity. We believe; therefore,
that these most valuable public servants
should be insured a reasonable certainty
in the tenure OF their Offices, while their
compensation should be sufficient to main
tain them in comfort during their years
of labor and enable them to make suitable
provision for their declining years
TAX REFORM PROMISED.
The unscientihc method Of assessment,
equalization and taxation now in force
throughout the State lie productive OF the
most unjust and unfair determinations,
and We pledge ourselves, IL given official
authority in the Legislative and executive
departments of government, TO frame
and enact such legislation as shall lead TO
uniform and just taxation.
The laws recently passed IN restraint OF
corrupt practices at elections are IN line
with the Democratic platform Of 1904, and
were enacted through the hearty support
Of Democratic Legislatures. We call for
amendments requiring the free and COM
plete publication OF election expenses,
specif ying the purposes for which each
dollar was spent and to hon paid.
YoR TIE BARGE CANA.
Ths people having authorized the ex-
penditure Of s1Ol ,OOO, 900 In the construction
Of a barge canal, we believe this enterprise
should be vigorously prosecuted and COM
pleted in a businesslike manner, that the
State may obtain the benefit Of this vast
expenditure as soon as possible. And we
condemn the vicious Republican practice
Of granting contracts to political ~favorites
in suoh parcels as will extend the work over
an unlimited period Of time and permit
the employment Of numerous party satel-
lites in supervision and inspection, thus con-
verting these funds into partisan plumber.
There is no purpose to which the funds
Of the State can be moro wisely devoted
thar to the construction OF improved rural
highways. The present method Is I'M
scientific and Inadequate. Instead OF i'm
proving unrelated, detached sections OF
highways the State should supplement
the existing system by constructing Inn
proved State highways which will provide
continuous connection between important
centres.
We favor the protection by the State OF
the forest lands Of the Adirondack and
Catskin parks, the immediate acquisition OF
all lands within the natural park areas n
such legislation as will at once stop the
State lands too long connived at by State
officials.
The great falls Of Niagara should be
held sacred from commercial greed. Its
scenic beauty must be preserved In all its