The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1908-07-11
THE PLATFORM

Denver. Colo. July lo.-Ihe follow
Ing platform was adopted by the L.
tional Democratic convention.
I'VE. the representatives OF tho
Democrats OF the United States. in M
tional convention assembled. reacirm
our belief IN. and pledge our loyalty %
the principles of the party.
we rejoice in the increasing sicus
Of an awakening throughout the couu
try. The various investigations have
traced graft and political corruption
90 the representatives OF pre- -tory
wealth. and laid bare the unscrupu
lous methods>by which they have de-
bauched elections and proved upon
defensoless public through the subscr
Went officials whom they have raised
10 place end power.
The conscience OF the nati~n g.
nov aroused 20 free the govcram
from the grip of those who have ma q
it a business of the favor seeking cor
porauons; il must become again PEG
pies government. and De- almini-torcf
in all its departments accoGdiuc to tls
Jefiersonian maxim OF equal rilhis L,
all and special privileges 90 nome
shall the people rule?' is tee over
shadoving issue which manlcsts i,-
self in all questions now under discus
sion"
Labor and lniunetions.
-'Th courts OF Justice arc tie bu-
wark Of our liberties. and We y.eii 90
their dignity none in cur purpose o.
maintain their dignity. We resent thc
attempt OF the Republican party 90
raise false issues respecting the judi
ciary. II is an unjust reflection upon
great body OF citizens TO ASSUME
that they lack respect for the courts.
1t is the function OF the courts 70
interpret the laws which the people
create. and i the laws appear TO work
economic. social or political injustice
IL is our duty 70 change them The
only basis upon which the integrity ol
our courts can stand is that OF IN
swerving justice and protection OF life
personal liberty and property. II judi.
cial processes may be abused. we
should guard them against abuse.
Experience has shown the neces
sity OF a modification of the present
law relating 20 injuuctions. and we re-
iterate the pledge OF our national plat
forms OF 1890 and 1904 in favor OF the
measure which passed the United
States senate in 1895. but which a
Republican congress has ever since
refused to 10 enact. relating TO con
| tempts in federal courts and providinc
for trial by jury in cases OF iniirsci
contempt
Questions Of judicial practice havp
/ arisen. especially ia connection wit
industrial disputes. We deem that
the parties 10 all judicial proceedin-
should De treated with rigid impair
TALLY and that injunctions should no.
be issued in any cases in which ~
functions would not issue II no indus
trial dispute were involved
The expanding organization of a.
dustry makes it essential that Their
should be no ahridgment OF the rich,
Of wage earncrs and producers 10 or.
ganize for the protection OF wages az.
the Improvement OF labor condition
% The end that such labor organiz-
tions and ;heir members should no
De regarded as Illegal combinations ir
restraint Of trade.
We favor the eight-hour day on al
government work
I'VE pledge the Democratic party {
the enactment Of a law by congress
as far as the federal jurisdiction ev.
tends. for a general employers liabli
ity act. covering injury 10 body OF los
OF life OF employees.
we pledge the Democratic party {
the enactment OF law creating de
partment OF labor. represented separ
ately in the presidents cabinet. which
department shall include the subje-
OF mines and mining.
Tariff.
We welcome the belated promisa
Of tariff reform now affected by th
Republican party in tardy recollection
Of the righteousness Of the Democratic
party on this question. but the people
cannot safely entrust the execution oi
this important work TO a party which
is so deeply obligated TO the highly
/ protected interests as is the Repubi
can party. We call attention TO the sig
nihcant fact that the promised relic
was postponed until after the comm
! election-an election to succeed I
/ which the Republican Sarty must ha.
that same support from the beneficial
! les Of the high protective tarin as !
has always heretofore received fron
them; and TO the further fact that dun
ing years Of uninterrupted power n
action whatever has been taken BY tn
| Republican congress to correct the a..
mittedly existing tariff iniquities
I'VE favor immediate revision of T..
tariff by the reduction OF import du
ties. Articles entering into compel
ton with trust controlled product
should be placed upon the free LIST.
and material reductions should Dc
made In the tarim upon the necessitscr
Of life. and especially upon article
competing with such American mans
features as are sold abroad Nor.
cheaply than at home; and gradual
reductions should be made in sue
other schedules as may be necessary
to restore the tarin TO a revenue b.
sis.
We demand the immediate repea
OF the tarih on pulp. print paper. lu q.
Der, timber and logs and that these
articles be placed on the free list"
The arbitrary power Of the speaker
OF the house of representatives Is dc
nounced, and the Democratic party T..
pledged to enact law for publicity O.
campaign contributions and 70 prevent
corporations contributing an unreason.
. able amOanf