Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1908-07-02

PLATFORM ADOPTED.
At this juncture the platform submitted
by the committee was read and unani-
mously adopted. The platform is as fol-
lows:
The representatives OF the Vermont
democracy in convention emb
pledge anew the fealty of the democrats
of this ancient commonwealth to the
great and mental principles Of
democracy. as expounded by Thomas
Jefferson and ~exemplihed by ackson
Following are some OF the doctrines
which the democracy has established as
proverbs and which should be known by
all and constantly invoked and enforced.
All men are created equal. endowed
with certain unaiienable rights including
life, Liberty and the pursuit of happiness
and to preserve these rights governments
are formed deriving their just powers
from the consent of the governed. eulial
and exact justice to all men OF whatever
state or persuasion, religious or political;
the support of the State governments IN
all Of their rights; the preservation of
the general government In its whole con-
stitutional vigor; a Jealous care OF the
right of election by the people, supremacy
OF the civil over the military authorities;
economy in public expenditures that
labor may be lightly burdened. an
equitable system of taxation; freedom
OF the press. of conscience and OF speech:
equality before the law of all citizens;
right of trial by jury; separation of
church and state.
While many of these principles have,
for many years, been ruthlessly violated
or ignored by the Republican party in the
state and nation, We rejoice there Is an
awakening Of the people of the country
and that there Will now be a peoples
effort through the Democratic party. and
We believe a successful one, to make
this once again "a government of the
people. by the people and for the peo-
pie
During the years OF repu~Acan misrule
and faVoritism. enormous ana predatory
fortunes have been amassed from the
poor, largely. by a favored few; a great
plrtocratic peril has sprung up. dan
gerous alike to liberty and free institu-
lions.
The people have been harassed and
robbed by unjust taxation under a sham
called "a protective tariff, a great and
reckless expenditure of public funds,
amounting in one years time to nearly
two billions of dollars, has taken place.
Fraud and ~orruptio evidenced by
Investigations, letters and other com
munications accidently coming to light.
have prevailed to an alarming extent,
the guilty. republican politicians, being
shielded from merited exposure and
punishment.
All laws, State and national, prohibiting
the pass and rebate are heartily endorsed
by us and We demand in addition thereto.
legislation by tho State and general
government making contributions by
corporations, by which several republican
presidents have been elected unlawful
and also Legislation providing for |publicA-
ton, before election, of all contributions
for election purposes above a reasonable
minimum.
We call sharply TO the attention of the
people the nefarious republican doctrine
now being proclaimed and prated about
that the powers of the general govern
ment should be extended or enlarged by
judicial construction" in other words,
that the terms, the veny spirit of the con-
stitution be over ridden and violated by
the courts to provide the executive with
power 1t does not possess, Are there any
In this land of Alien and Warner who
subscribe to this doctrine? who believe
that the constitution, which solemnly
sets forth the powers delegated by the
people to the general government, creates
the very courts called upon to extend
and enlarge that stands as a barrier
between the people and the abuse OF
power by the general government. be
ovcrridden and abrogated by these
courts? Surely, II there are any such
they will not be found in the democratic
ranks and we denounce and condemn this
doctrine as un-American and demand
that the constitution be respected and
obeyed ny all classes. laymen and OFF,
ciais. high and low. and In this connec-
ton We further demand that our Presi-
dents remember that the executive Is en-
tirely separate from the judiciary, that
this was so intended. that an interference
by the executive with the judiciary will
not he tolerated by our courts and GER
tainly not by the people. And that In
dealing with corporations. even, the FED
eral remedies against monopoly shall
be added to and not substituted for State
remedies"
Above all things We demand: A return
TO democrat tic methods and usages and
the recognition and observance once more
OF all of the cardinal principles OF ueIn-
ocracy;
A policy Of simplicity and frugality In
all public expenditures and such an i'm
mediate revision Of the tariff Rs will in
sure to American genius a of
the markets Of the world;
The immediate placing upon the free
list OF every article controlled by a trust
that a tax may not he laid on our people.
with evil consequences. extending through
future generations, under a pretense OF
protection which, If ever necessary, Is
no longer so.
The strengthening Of the interstate
law TO accomplish Its constitu-
tional purpose, with legislation along the
sa me lines by the States.
We favor, as part OF our system for
obtaining revenue. an income tax and we
urge. If necessary. a submission TO the
people Of an amendment to the constitu-
ton for this purpose.
We favor, also. a postal savings bank
ton of funds and we insist upon the pas
sage OF a law by the State and by the
nation for the better regulation or banks
and for the protection OF bank deposits
The government is not supposed TO de-
post any public money IN any pank
without demanding security for It's re-
pa ynent. This Is a wise regulation ana
II so the case OF the government WHY
not in the case of The depositor? who