The Monticellonian., 1908-06-11


 vance our interests in these matters.
 s. We demand that the General As- sembiy refrain from passing special laws in any case where general law is. or can be. made applicable.
 Convict Lease System Is Opposed.
 g. We believe that all competition between convict labor and free labor should as far as possible be avoided We believe that the welfare of tine con victs can be better maintained when they are employed in work directly fer the benefit of the state and to do oil that we can to this end we favor work ing the state conYicts on the public roads, keeping only a sufficient number on the states farm to raise supplies to clothe and feed themselves and those engaged on public roads And we are unalterably opposed to the making of any further contracts by which any con vct is leased or hired to any person. firm or corporation, and we especially charge and direct the legislature next to convene to pass such laws as will carry out these principles.
 10. Believing that the improvement of the public roads and highways is matter of vital importance to the prop CT development of our state, we heartily favor ell measures to that end and we especially recommend to the next Gen eral Assembly to consider the feasibil- ity of adopting state aid for public roads and to establish a comprehensive system of highway improvements.
 New Banking Laws Needed.
 II. We believe that the general laws of the state are inadequate for the pro lection of depnsitors of money in the hanks of the state. and therefore favor the passage of wise and conservative banking laws. such as will provide for the proper inspection of banks and the maximum protection of the people who deposit their money therein.
 For Four Agricultural Colleges.
 12. AS agriculture is the fountain of our prosperity and as the great mass of our people are engaged in that pur- suit. We favor the establishment and maintenance of not less than four az ricultural schools in different parts of the state-one to be located at the Uni- versitY of Arkansas and another at the State Normal School.
 13. We favor the passage of such laws as may be necessary to provide for the proper protection of labor We favor wise and vigorous law for the collecting and dispensing of information regarding the science Of agriculture. hor- tieulture and animal industry through put this state. We favor safeguarding. ny appropriate legislation. the safety of persen3 employed in mining, manufac- turing or other industries.
 14. We pledge the people that the incoming administration of the states government will be devoted to the devel- opment of the states resources and that the business interests of this state shall be f0stered and encouraged.
 Would Better Educational System.
 15. Intelligence being the safeguard of liberty We favor the encouragement of all the states educational interests from the district or public schools to the University of Arkansas. free from the baneful influence of political partisan ship. We therefore not only renew the party's protection and pledges to this interest but we pledge ourselves to the development of the entire system of education in the state. and. believing that all legitimate expenditures in this line of work yield the greatest profit to civilization. We recommend liberal appro- priations for the education of the youth of the state and for the maintenance of It's normal institutions,
 16. We favor the enactment and en- forcement of laws to suppress gambling in agricultural commodities.
 Larger Powers for Railroad Commis-
 sion
 T.. We recommend that the powers of the Railroad Commission be in creased as to regulate and control trans- portation of freight and passengers the equipment and roadbeds of railways. and that necessary relief ir such matters may be granted withou. the necessity for special Legislation.
 The Initiative and Referendum Advo
 cated.
 IS Believing in the peoples right to rnle. We favor the submission of an amendment to the constitution, provid ing for the initiative and referendum in matters of legislation affecting the general interests of the people.
 19. We favor the adoption of the two amendments to the state constitution.
 
 for the elective franchise. and the oth- CT permitting the issuance of bonds for local improvement by cities, towns and counties.
 20 We recognize the states obliga- tion to those who so freely offered their lives whom called to service by the state. and we pledge the Confederate veteran that his services will never be forgotten and that his declining years shall ba made more comfortable.
 Publicity for Campaign Expenses.
 21. We demand the enactment of law requiring the publication of sworn itemized statement of all cam paign expenses of all candidates and party committees in all primary. spe- cial and general elections in this state
 would Leave Capitol Completion to
 Donaghey.
 9. In order that the state caiptol question may be taken out of politics and confusion, We demand that the next General Assembly pass such laws as will remove all persons and officials connected with or engaged in the con struction of the state capitol. so that the state may take charge of the con struction of the building at once and pass such laws upon that subject as may be recommended by the nominee of our party for governor; as we recOg- nize his familiarity with this subject and the endorsement of his views by the people. and We condemn all graft or attempted graft in connection with it's construction. As the capitol Is Tn sense the home of all the people and will be for generations to come. we rec ommend to the General Assembly that in the completion of the building. in its furnishing and in the grading and adorn- ment of it's grounds. spirit of fair liberalty be exercised.
 Higher Pay for the Judiciary.
 g We recognize the necessity for increased pay for the services of the judiciary of this state of the trial and Supreme Courts. and pledge the Demo- cratic party to such action as may be necessary for increasing said salaries. adeauate to the responsibility and value of the services of our judges. And as under the present constitution the salary of circuit judges and chancellors can year We request the legislature to pass law at it's next session for that amount of salary for said circuit judges and chancellors.
 To Decide Liquor Question at Polls.
 24 Whereas there are two methods option and statewide prohibition. we be- lieve that the will of the people should govern. but the law as 1t now stands provides no way of ascertaining which of these remedies the people prefer. We recommend that the next legislature pass such laws as will ascertain. during the year 1909. whether the people favor local option or statewide prohibition. and we pledge the Democratic party to execute the peoples will when it shall have been ascertained
 25 We favor the passage of a law fcrbiddingt the appointment of any per son engaged in the manufacture or sale of intoxicating liduor as election com missioner or election judge in any cleo tion when the right to sell intoxicating liquor is an issue