The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1908-09-11
Especial to The Gazette.)

~ 9AAASSg ~
ut noon today in the Margaret theater
Thomas j. Walsh Of Helena wal
chosen temporary chairman and made
! speech IN which he severely crit
cisedSthe present administration.
A platform was adopted, including
most Of the reforms included in the
national platform. Bryan and Kern
were pledged the support of the Mon
tana Democracy.
The permanent organization was
completed and judicial nominations
made. Most Of the present incumbents
were renominated. Great enthusiasm
prevailed and the convention went
wild at every mention of Bryan's
name.
Nominations for governor, lieuten.
ant governor, associate justice and
railroad commissioner, presidential
electors, and congressman were made
tonight. The other nominations will
be made tomorrow.
The following Is the platform of the
party, in full:
The Platform.
The Democratic party Of the state
Of Montana, appealing for unity OF
action to all good citizens who are i'm
pressed with the menace Of a central
lied government ruled by an oligarchy
Of wealth, asks the SURFACES Of the
people upon the following declaration
Of principles and policies:
Nrst-We most heartily approve
and u~nreseryedly ratify the plain, com
prehensive and patriotic platform
adopted by the Democratic convention
at Denver and particularly commend
to the voters Of the state the planks
on publicity Of campaign contributions.
railroad regulation, guarantee Of bank
deposits. election of United States sen
ators by the vote of the people, an in:
come tax, %injunctions and trials by
jury in contempt cases., waterways and
the plank declaring in favor Of regula,
ton OF grazing upon the public lands,
IL regulation is necessary, by state In
stead Of national authority.
second-We accord our most hearty
and enthusiastic approval to the choice
of candidates made by the national
convention. We recognize in William
Jennings Bryan and John Worth Kern
men whose public career and public
utterances r in harmony with the
progressive spirit Of the platform upon
which they were nominated. We re
mind the people Of this state Of the
ferver and faithfulness with which Mr.,
Bryan befriended q great industry Of
It; Of his untiring energy and prodig'
ious labors Of the establishment OF
principles calculated to promote its de.
velopment and Of the i%mplacable hos.
tility still confronting him, engendered
by eason Of his advocacy of our
cause.
Third-We approve the able and
business-like administration Of state
affairs by Governor Toole and Govern
or Norris.
Fourth-It is Of paramount import.
ance to protect, develop and conserve
the unparalleled natural resources OF
Montana under laws most carefully
considered and wisely enacted for that
purpose and which will permit q pres.
ent use sufficient to satisfy reasonable
Industrial needs and preserve the
same as may be for future use and de.
velopment.
Ffth-Land being the most endur
ing resource. the permanent prosper
ity, of q people can be best assured BY
the proper development and conserva
tion therefore, we recognize in the lib
eral grant Of land to the state by the
federal government for educationa.
purposes a solemn trust to be most
carefully and wisely administered and
conserved for the purposes for which
granted and a great source Of wealth
which growth in population will tend
largely to increase.
Sixth-In order to promote regular.
" In the dow Of streams and the fur
nishing Of a larger volume Of water
for irrigation and all other useful pur
poses, the proper and scientific ad
m~inistration Of the forests and thu
timber areas. the property OF the state
is q policy advisable forthwith to be
initiated and at all times strictly pur
sued.
Seventh-The title and full contro
of all unappropriated water is, and Q
right should be. in the state, and tn,
right TO use 1t should be permitte,
BY the state only in accordance Will
the strict provisions Of law special,
enacted for that purpose and suflcient
" comprehensive to protect the broad
est public interests and prevent harm
ful exploitation.
Eghth-Nor the development an,
prosperity of the present and futur,
Industrial enterprises Of Montana, til,
use % water for power purposes i
necessary, and every encouragement
oonslstent with . proper safesuardin,