Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-09-17
The Platform.

The following is the text of the party plat
form submitted to the convention:
Virtue in state government depends upon
and is measured by the integrity of it's
servants. The reprehensble practices Of
state officials-retai7.ng and applying pub
lie funds to their personal advantage and to
the detrirnent of the state, persistent and
chronic failure to Giso barge official duties,
commonly called 'absenteeism," occupying
dual positions carrying double emoluments,
but involving no increased labors, nepotism,
the constant mul.iplications of commits
sions to discharge similar public functions,
the extravaganza and wasefulness of the
statehouse commission in the construction
of public buildings, the non-feaSance and
gross mismanageme of the managers of
state tnstitutions-xarrant unqualified con-
demnation and demand immediate correc-
tion and to this end we favor and bind our
selves to the enactment Of laws whereby:
Public funds shall be paid to and dis
bursed by the treasury Of the state. "One
state and one purse.
Public moneys shall be interest-bearing in
all cases.
Public officials shall give daily attention
to the discharge of their duties and shall
be permitted to hold but one office.
Public contracts shall be made and sup
plies purchased apon competitive bidding
after due advertisement.
The numerous commissions now having
charge of the public water supply, sewage
and other matters pertaining to public
health shall be abolished, and their powers
and duties vested in reorganized state
board.
State boards and commissions exercising
kindred functions shall be consolidated.
For Equal Taxation.
We reiterate the demands Of the demo-
cratic platforms for the past twenty-four
years for the equal taxation of all prop
erty not used for religious. charitable or
educational purposes.
We declare for the taxation Of the tangi-
BILE property of railroad and canal COM
panies wherever located and the taxation of
their franchises by the state. and we in
sIst that the legislation on taxation en-
acted since the ascendancy of the republi-
can party in this state has been the result
Of democratic initiative. but has not meas
ured I'D to its full demand.
We further declare for the repeal OF the
law providing for the taxation of the fran
chises of public utilities companies upon
the basis of their gross receipts and for the
enactment of laws providing for the taxa
ton of such franchises according to their
true value as other property is taxed.
We favor the establishment of commits
sion with ample powers for the proper
regulation of steam and trolley railroads.
electric light. gas. water. telegraph and
telephone companies. and all other public
utility CORPORATIONS.
In recognition of the constitutional doc
trine that all political power is inherent
in the people. we favor the enactment of
laws. and where necessary constitutional
amendments. providing for:
Senators by Popular Suffrage.
The selection of United States senators
by popular suffrage
The election of assemblymen by districts.
The nominating of candidates for public
office by direct primary vote, without the
intervention Of delegates or conventions.
The election by the people Of the principal
state and county officials.
In order to secure the true expression Of
the will Of the voter we favor:
Municipal elections distinct from state and
national elections.
The passage of stringent laws against
bribery and corruption in all elections, pri-
mary and general
The vesting of summary Jurisdiction in the
courts to settle disputes growing out Of pri
mary elections with amp.e power TO order
recounts.
The abolition of the voting machines.
We favor the acquisition by our state ana
sister states of all toll bridges crossing in
terstate boundaries. in order that the same
may be made free for interstate traffic.
We favor the greatest extension of the
principle of home rule in municipal govern
ment, securing to each municipality the alb
soiute control of all matters requiring local
administration, without undue Interference
by the Legislature.
We favor the enactment of stringent anti
monopoly laws.
We favor the repeal OF the law creating
county boards of taxation.
We ask the support OF all citlzens 1aVorlhg
these principles.