Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1906-06-28
The Platform.

The committee on resolutions then
presented its report which was as fol-
Lows and which led to the interesting
debate which followed. The platform is
as follows:
We believe in the protective tariff,
which is fundamentally based upon a
recognition of the difference in labor
cost here and abroad. The protective
tariff protects American labor. guards
ana sustains the scale of American
wages and thereby enables American
laborers to build and maintain
homes; and while it tends to keep the
American market for American indus
tries. nevertheless our trade in foreign
markets has expanded K; an extent
never before known. We reaffirm our
belief in that reciprocity which gov
ems the interchange with foreign coun-
tries of articles which are not the prod
net Of American labor, and we oppose
any such reciprocity with Canada as
will flood our markets with Canadian
lumber and farm products and thus Sc
rio;sly embarrass the industries of this
State. We commend the policy of the
Republican PARTY in national affairs
and we especially endorse the maSniti-
cent, able, fearless and patriotic adj
ministration of President Roosevelt and
we ask the people OF this State to sus-
tain 1t by their votes.
We highly commend our senators and
representatives in Congress and fully
appreciate their high standing and in
duence in national legislation and eX-
tend to them this expression of our
hearty approval. We deplore the con-
dftion of our merchant marine. We be-
leye that the enactment of the bill
PENDING in Congress would be a pro
nounced step towards its revival. We
congratulate our senator's on the pas
sasc of this bill in the Senate and urge
ur representatives to continue their
earnest efforts in its behalf.
:NyH heartily edrdorke the aJlniliistra-
ton of state affairs All the cxpchdi-
lures and disbursements Of the state
have Eecn met from current revenues,
WITHOUT the necessity of temporary
loans. and. the cash balance in the
treasury maintained, Notwithstanding
a substantial reduction has been made
in the rate of the State tax.
We believe in prohibition and demand
the faithful and impartial enforcement
ef'the pirhibitory law because the bus
mess interests of the state and the ma
terial and moral welfare of the people
are thereby promoted. We hold That
submission to law is the highest duty
of the citizen ana that good citizenship
seeks the enforcement of all law at all
decentralization never
We believe in equalization OF the
burdens of taxation, having regard not
only to ability to bear the burdens. but
also to the benefits received from the
State so that all interests shall In the
end contribute fairly to make up the
necessary revenue.
We. demand economy in expenditures
but believe that the State may proper
ly assume a greater share of those eX-
renditl,res which benefit the State as a
whole including those for schools, good
roads and the care of certain classes Oh
our untortunates.
We are in favor of the initiative and
referendum as applied to statutes ana
recoE1mend a constitutional amend
msnt to SO provide.
We recommend to the consideration
of the next Legislature the adoption of
statutes under which all nominations
for elective offices by tho political par
ties entitled to representation ON oili-
cial ballot shall be made by direct vote
Of the people at primary elections held
under all the safeguards of the regula!
election itself.
We command the wise and consistent
course of Gov. WIN. T. Cobb. in tn.
% dny +
ly submit his record to the voters o
this State for their endorsement Anf
we hereby pledge to him our carnes
and hearty support.
Mr.. Kelley Of Lewiston addressed thu
convention and said that he wished t
present the report of the minority OF tn
committee. Il have no desire to carr!
instruction into the ranks of our par
y." said Mr.. Kelley by way OF eXpla
nation. but I think that the people
should have resubmission. A maJorit.
OF the members of the committee o.
resolutions are not of the same mind
and l do therefore present this report
THE principle involved in the resolu
ton for resubmission Is not the qucs
uon to the character OF the law. Wheth
er it he local or State prohibition
whether it be license or no license. bu
purely and simply the proposition
shall the people have an opportunit
TO express themselves upon the advis
ability Of the present law
The following resolution as substi
ute Tor the seventh plank in the ma
]ority report was reported:
Resolved, that without deviattn
from our loyalty to the cause of TEN
perance, or from the strict and impair
tial enforcement Of the present law
We favor the resubmission to the vot
ers OF Maine of the fifth amendment
the constitution, known as the prohit
itory law"
Benedict F. Maher of Augusta WI
allowed the privilege of the floor an
ne made an able and eloquent speec