Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1907-10-24
Democratic state Platform.

Democratic State Platform.
Trenton, Sept. 1.-THE Democratic
platform adopted without dissenting
voice by the State convention to-day,
reads as follows:
Virtue in State government depends
upon and is measured by the integrity
of 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 nom
feasanee 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
Hdisbursed directly by the Treasurer of
THE State. Zone State and one purse. :
Public moneys shall be interest
bearing in all cases.
Public officials shall give daily att
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
ling to public health shall be abolished
and their powers and duties vested in
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 legisla-
ton 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
equal taxation
We declare for the taxation at local
rates of the value of the franchises of
public utilities companies in place of
the inadequate taxation under the
VOORHEES, law
We favor the establishment of
commission with ample powers for
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 constitutional
doctrine that all political power is in
herent in the people we favor the en-
actment of laws, and where necessary
constitutional amendments, providing
for:
The selection of United States Sena-
tors by popular suffrage
The election of Assembiymen by dis
tricts.
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 express
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 all
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 our
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 Of
the principle of home rule in munich
pal government. securing to each
municipality the absolute control Of
all matters requiring local administra-
ton, without undue interference by
the Legislature.
We favor the enactment Of stringent
anti-monopo1y laws.
We ask the support OF all citizens
fayorIng these principles
WE call attention To the constantly
increasing cost Of the State 6oFarns
1i(ei1f Under II <f33 III icSn f3l7n Fla - a.