Waterbury evening Democrat., 1908-07-07

with the actual valuation of railroads The Democratic party believes that the first thing to do is to secure physical valuation of the roads -tba. is. a valua- ton of the solid rather than the liquid assets of railroad companies While, on the other hand, the Republican par. ty, on roll call In the convention by an overwhelming vote, took an unequivo- cal stand ill favor of system of water rates without giving the people the ben eft of meter.
 We search in vain for one syllable in the Chicago platform pledging the Re publican party to retrsnchment and re- forms, and it is no mere coincidence that has given us billion dollar ses- sion of congress on the eve of a na- tional election and the possible revision of the tariff.
 So long as we maintain the present method of electing United States sen ators We cannot hope that the upper chamber of congress will reflect the popular will.
 On five different occasions the house of representatives has passed a con- stitutional amendment providing for the election of United States senators by the direct vote of the people, but these measures have been sandbagged in the senate by those who are deter mined the senate shall not become an integral part of our free representa- tive institutions.
 Direct Election of Senators.
 The Democratic party will continue to labor for the direct election of Unit ed States senators, and it appeals to the voters of all America to elect mem- bers of the different state legislatures who will pledge themselves to vote for no candidate for the United States senate not in favor of this reform.
 The affirmative position of the Dem- ocratic party upon these great ques- tions will be made clear during the impending campaign, and, disdaining all subterfuges, it will speak in a lan- guage that cannot be misunderstood. Its voice will ring with genuine love for humanity, and the charge of insin- cerity will never be brought to its doors. Let our party declaration in this convention present the strong con- trast between that which we here pro- pose and that which was declared at Chicago. Let any man take the tenn perature of the Chicago platform and discover, if he can, any sign of human warmth. Not single sentiment is there to redeem 1t from the material ism permeating it through and through.
 On the bosom of the Pacific will be enacted the great commercial strug- gles of the future, and the interests of American commerce in connection with the exposure of our western shores to any hostile attack will de- mand that the greater portion of the American navy shall be retained in the waters of the Pacific to preserve the peace of the world.
 Asiaties Must Be Excluded.
 This magnificent western country of ours has not only proved attractive to our own people and the other white na- tions of the earth, but it has likewise proved alluring to the brown and vel low races of the east. Some protection has been afforded by thesexclusion of Chinese labor, but the evil is but half met if the immigration of Japanese, Koreans. Hlndoos and other Asiatic people be not also excluded from our shores. Not only the white toilers of America, but all our people, without respect to class or residence. are vitally interested in this menace to our social and industrial life from Asiatic quar- ters, and if this is to remain a white mans country immediate steps should be taken to prevent Asiatic immlgra- ton of whatsoever character.
 This national convention meets at a time when the angel of peace is hover ing over the entire world, and the na- tons of the world each day are strengthening those ties of friendship and common interest that will render war less frequent and permit mankind to turn their hands to the peaceable pursuits of life rather than to the de- struction of one another.
 The Democratic party realizes the part that America must inevitably play in the affairs of the world and that we cannot escape participation in the set tlement of every world problem that arises, but Americas weight and in- huence must ever be on the side of peace, on the side of justice. on the side of the oppressed. and if the will of the people shall commit to our hands the scepter of power 1t will be used for the realization of the high Amer ican ideals that raise our own people to loftier and better things and through our precepts and examples contribute to the we'll being and happiness of all mankind.