Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1908-07-13
Salient Features of the Platform

III c"tureS OF the Platform.
! we denounce the growing increase
IN the number of office-holders as
! not only unnecessary and wastafuI
put also as clearly indicating a de.
hperate purpose on the part of the
administration to keep the Republi.
can party In power at public expense
o! mus increasing the number of its
fetalners and dependents. Such pro-
| ceuure we declare to be no less dan
eerous and corrupt than the omen
purchase of votes at the polls.
We demand that the House O,
representatives shall again become
dellberative body, controlled by a
majority of the peoples representa-.
yves, and not by the Speaker. and
we pledge ourselves 10 adopt such
rules and regulations to govern the
House of Representatives as to en-
aple majority of its members to
direct its deliberations and control
/ legislation.
we demand Federal LEGISLATION
forever terminating the partnership
winch has existed between corpora-
tons of the country and the Repub-
lican party under the expressed or
inlpLeu agreement that in return for
the contribution of great sums of
money wherewith to purchase cleo
lions they should be allowed TO con-
unue substantially unmolested in
their efforts TO encroach upon the
rights of the people.
We pledge the Democratic marty
TO a law preventing any corporation
from contributing to campaign
1und and any individual from CON
tributlng an amount above a reason
able minimum and providing for the
publication before election of all
such contributions.
We favor immediate revision of
the tariff by the reduction of import
duties. Articles entering into com
petition with trust-controlled prod
ucts should be placed on the free
list. Material reductions should be
made in the tariff upon the neces-
sarles OF life, especially upon articles
competing with such American man
cheaply than at home: and gradu-
ated reductions should be made in
such other schedules as may be nee
essary TO restore the tariff to a reve-
nue. basis.
A private monopoly is indefensible
and intolerable. We, therefore. ia
vor the vigorous reform of the crimi-
nal law against guilty trust mag
mates and officials, and demand the
enactment of such additional legis-
latlon as may be necessary to make
1t impossible for a private monopoly
10 exist in the United States.
We assert the rights OF courts to
exercise complete control over inter-
state commerce and the right of each
state to exercise control over COM
merce within its borders. We de-
mand such enlargement of the Inter-
state Commerce Commission as may
be necessary TO compel railroads to
perform their duties as common car
riers and prevent discrimination and
eXtortion.
We pledge ourselves TO legislation
under which National banks shall be
required 10 establish guarantee
fund for the prompt payment of the
depositors of any insolvent National
bank under an equitable system
which shall be available TO all bank
ing institutions wishing 10 use it,
We favor an income tax as part
of our revenue system. and we urge
the submission of a constitutional
amendment specifically authorizing
Congress TO levy and collect tax upon
individual and corporate incomes, to
the end that wealth may bear its
proportionate share of the burdens
of the Federal Government.
We favor the eight-hour day on all
Government work.
We pledge the Democratic party
to the enactment OF law by Con-
gress as far as the Federal jurisdic-
ton extends for general employ
ers' liability act covering injury to
body or loss of life Of employees.
The courts OF justice are the bull
wark of our liberties and we yield
to none in our purpose to maintain
their dignity. Our party has given
to the bench long line of distin-
guished judges who have added re-
spect and confidence, in which this
department must be jealousy main
tanned. We resent the attempt of
the Republican party 10 raise false
issue respecting the judiciary. 1t is
an unjust reflection upon the great
body of our citizens TO assume that
they lack respect for the courts.
1t is the function OF the courts to
interpret laws which the people
create, and If the laws appear TO
work economic, social or political in
justice. It is our duty to change them.
The only basis upon which the in
tegrity Of our courts can stand is
that of answering justice and pro-
lection OF life and property II judi
cial processes may be abused We
should guard against abuse.
Experience has proven the neces-
sity of a modification of the present
law relating TO injunctions, and We
reiterate the pledge OF our National
platforms of 1896 and 1904 in favor
of the measure which passed the
United States Senate in 1895, but