Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1908-08-21
State Platform
Resolutions Adopted by the Demo-
cratic State Convention
at CharIestOwn.

at ChariestOwn.
Charleston, July 31.-The platform
adopted by the democratic state con-
yention Is as follows:
Report of Committee on Resolutions.
We, the democrats of West vir-
GINA, in convention assembled affirm
our allegiance to the Tins honored
principles of democracy as promul-
gated by its founder aud practiced BY
its defenders from Thomas Jefferson
to William j. Bryan; and we espec-
tally affirm, ratify and approve the
declaration Of party principles unani-
mously adopted by the Denver conyen-
ton which convened ON the seventh
day of the present month, believing it
the wisets, plainest and most direct
declaration in the interest of the plain
people that has been enunciated for
a quarter OF a century.
Bryan and Kern.
We congratulate the democratic
party of the nation upon the nomina-
tioD for the presidency of the coun-
trys foremost citizen, William J. Bry-
an and of John w. Kern for the vice
president, and we hereby declare
our unfaltering allegiance to both
platform and candidates and pledge
our earnest efforts to bring about
their triumph at the polls in Novem-
Der.
We direct attention to the fact
that during the twenty-six years of
, democratic supremacy in West Vir-
ginia the government was so econom-
lcally administered that, although
during that time the state was poor,
the assessed values low, the burdens
of taxation light, and the revenues
small. state institutions were built,
equipped and maintained and the
state turned over to the republicans
on March 4, 1897 free from debt.
We denounce the republican party be-
cause, while it has wrung much lars
err revenues from the people by way
of taxation it has wastefully and ex-
ing an army of useless officials, and
at the same time allowed some of our
state institutions to fall into such
dilipidation and decay as to be a
menace to the lives of the inmates, a
disgrace to the state and a reproach
to the party responsible for that con-
dition.
We further denounce the republi.
can party, because it has kept in
power in the state a swarm of Of
ficials who have habitually diverted
state revenues from the objects for
which they were appropriated, and
expe nded its funds fer PURPOSES for
which no appropriations have been
made in violation of the constitution
and the laws.
Honest and Economical Government
The democratic party pledges the
people that il t is entrusted with
the administration of the state gov
eminent, it will restore to them hon
est and economical governmet, and
will see that its public moneys shall
not be misapplied, wasted, or other
wise squandered, and that it will re-
duce as far as possible the burdens
of taxation and dispense with all un-
necessary and useless offices.
We denounce the present mine in
spection laws and their administra-
ton as costly and inefficient, and
point to the great loss of life in the
mines of the state as proof of the ne
cessity for their thorough revision
and amendment. We especially de-
nounce the republican administration
| for allowing certain of its favorites
to operate their mines in open viola
| ton of the law, thus criminally caus-
| ing the loss of many lives.
! We pledge the democratic party to
! the enactment of a well considered
just and EQUITABLE employers liability
| law.
We favor such modification of the
| law relating to injunctions as will
secure to the parties to all judicial
proceedings, rigid impartiality, and
provide that in industrial cases, in.
| functions should not issue except for
such cause as would justify their is
suance in other cases.
Bill of Rights.
THE right of the people to assem-
BILE in a peaceable manner to consult
for the common good, to instruct their
representatives, or to apply for re-
dress of grievances, is secured to
them by the Bill of Rights; and when
ever it shall please them to prefer