Gloucester County Democrat., 1907-10-17
Democratic State Platform.

ptdeAoi III daDptSa Witu0ul d ulSSCHLfHS g
voice by the State convention to-day,
reads as follows:
Virtue in State government depends
upon and is measured by the integrity
Iof its servants. The reprehensible
/ practices of State officials retaining
and applying public funds to their per
sonal advantage and to the detriment
/ Of the State, persistent and chronic
failure to discharge official duties,
commonly called "absenteeism, occu-
pying dual positions carrying double
emoluments, but involving no in
creased labors, nepotism, the constant
multiplication of commissions to dis
charge similar public functions, the
extravaganza and wastefulness OF the
State House Commission in the con
struction OF public buildings, the non
/ feasance and gross mismanagement of
! the managers of State institutions
warrant unqualified condemnation and
demand immediate correction, and to
/ this end we favor and bind ourselves
to the enactment of laws whereby:
Public funds shall be paid to ana
| disbursed directly by the. Treasurer Of
the State. "One State and one purse. :
Public moneys shall be interest
bearing in all cases.
Public officials shall give daily at
tention to the discharge of their duties,
and shall be permitted to hold but one
Office.
| Public contracts shall be made and
supplies purchased upon competitive
bidding after due advertisement.
| The numerous commissions now
having charge of the public water sup
| ply, sewage and other matters pertain
| ing to public health shall be abolished
and their powers and duties vested in q
recognized State board.
| State boards and commissions exer-
cising kindred functions shall be con-
solidated.
We reiterate the demands of the
Democratic platforms for many years
past for the equal taxation OF all prop
erty not used for religious, charitable
or educational purposes.
! We declare for the taxation of the
tangible property of railroads and
canal companies where located, and
the taxation of their franchises by the
State. and we insist that the legisIa-
tion on taxation enacted since the as
cendancy of the Republican party in
this State has been the result of Demo-
cratic initiative, but has not measured
up to the constitutional requirement of
4 equal taxation.
We declare for the taxation at local
rates of the value of the franchises of
4 public utilities companies in place OF
the inadequate taxation under the
VOORHEES, law.
We favor the establishment of q
commission with ample powers fol
the proper regulation of steam and
| trolley railroads, electric light, gas
water, telegraph and telephone com
panies, and all other public utility cor
porations.
In recognition of the constitutions
doctrine that all political power is in
herent in the people, we favor the en-
actment of laws, and where necessary
/ constitutional amendments, proyidins
J for:
81 The selection of United States Sena
tors by popular suffrage.
The election OF Assemblymen by dis
tricts.
The nominating of candidates fo
j public office by direct primary vote
or conventions.
The election by the people Of ths
principal State and county officials.
In order to secure the true expires
sion 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 al
elections. primary and general.
The vesting of summary jurisdiction
in the Courts to settle disputes grow
ing out of primary elections, with am
pie power to order recounts.
The abolition of the voting ma
chimes.
We favor the acquisition by oul
State and sister States of all toll
bridges crossing interstate boundaries
in order that the same may be made
] free to interstate traffic.
We favor the greatest extension ol
the principle of home rule in muniei
pal government. securing to each
municipality the absolute control ol
all matters requiring local administra
tion, without undue interference By
the Legislature.
We favor the enactment OF stringent
anti-monopoly laws
i We ask the support of all citizens
| favoring these principles.
We call attention to the constantly
I increasing cost of the State Govern
| ment under Republican rule, the year
/ |ly expenses having been increased
! from 1885,, ,SS2 under the last Demo
cratic administration, to s4.827579 for
the present year, and demand thai
lrigid economy be exercised in future
! expenditures to the end that surplus
revenues may be applied to the les.
sening of the burden Of taxation upon
our citizens.
I We favor the establishment Of an
elective Civil Service Commission by
an act which will take the employ
mont of c11harf5irl afxa f,i1aljc officials f1lf