Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-07-11
COMPLETE DEMOCRATIC PLATFORM FRAMED AT DENVER

ERECTION of a commission of experts to
be authorized by law.
| PHILIPPINES.
We condemn the experiment in i'm
Iperialism as an inexcusable blunder
which has involved us in an enormous
expense, brought us weakness instead
| of strength, and laid our nation open
to the charge of abandoning funda-
mental doctrine of self-goyernment.
We favor an immediate declaration of
the nations purpose to recognize the
independence of the Philippine Islands
as soon as a stable government can be
Established, such independence to be
guaranteed by us as we guarantee the
independence of Cuba, until the neu-
tralization of the islands can be secur-
ed by treaty with other powers. In
recognizing the independence of the
Philippines our government should re-
tain such land as may be necessary for
coaling stations and naval bases.
PAN-AMERICAN RELATIONS.
The democratic party recognizes the
Importance and advantage of develop
ing closer ties of pan-American friend
ship and commerce between the United
States and it's sister nations of Latin
? America, and favorS the taking of such
steps, consistent with democratic poll
cies, for better acquaintance, greater
mutual confidence and larger exchange
of xry;u hrip loo
not only to the United States, but to
this group of American republics hav-
: ing constitutions, forms of government,
ambitions and interests akin to our
own.
INCOME AND INHERITANCE TAX.
We favor an income tax as part of
our revenue system, and we urge the
ment specifically authorizing congress
to levy and collect tax upon indi-
/ vidual and corporate incomes, to the
!. end that wealth may bear its proper
/ tionate share of the burdens of the fed.
t eral government.
SENATOR'S BY DIRECT VOTE.
- We favor the election of United
5 States senators by direct vote of the
Il people and regard this reform as the
5 gateway to all other national reforms
THE NAVY.
. We hold that the constitutional pro-
vision that a navy shall be provided
g and maintained means an adequate
l. navy, and we believe that the inter.
lests of this country would be best
t Iseryed by having navy able to pro
t tect and to defend at once the two
= great coasts of this country. We be-
Z tlieve that neither coast in future
r shf aid be left without adequate pro
h Election in the form of a fleet, and that
S american citizens should be protected
n lin their rights wherever they may be
lin jeopardy.
IMMIGRATION.
We favor full protection by both ma
n tional and state governments within
:. their respective spheres of all for
= leigners residing in the United States
under 20 years of age, but We are OPP
u lposed to the admission of Asiatic i'm
i migrants who cannot be amalgamatet
g with our population or whose presence
lamong us would raise race issue am
involve US in diplomatic controversies:
e with oriental powers and we demand
i a stricter enforcement of the immigra
\ ton laws against any immigrant who
advocates assassination as means o.
10 reforming our government.
STATEHOOD.
IL Tho National dap,oarot;o ,,,rt,, bo,
- for the last 16 years labored for tn,
admission of Arizona and New Mexic,
:. as separate states of the federal union
and, recognizing that each possesse
"a every qualification to successfully main
!, tain separate state governments, w
"A favor the immediate admission of thes
m territories as separate states.
m AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION.
m The democratic party favors agricu
tural. mechanical and Industrial trair
ing to enable American youths to az
quire an education suitable to thei
needs and wants. We therefore favo
W enlarging federal aid under the Mo-
"a rell and other acts of congress for tn
10 establishment of district agriculture
ly experimental institutions and agricu
10 ltural and mechanical colleges CONVEX
~ lent to the people.
ne TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE.
ia We pledge the democratic party t
III the enactment of law to regulate th
~ rates and services of telegraph an
n telephone companies engaged in th
w. transmission of messages between til
nc states under the jurisdiction of the il
III terstate commerce commission
-, CIVIL SERVICE.
The laws pertaining to the civil ser
NV ice should be honestly and rigidly e
~ forced to the end that merit and abili
he shall be the standard of appointme
nj and promotion rather than servic
rv. rendered to political party.
bal GRAZING LANDS.
nd The establishment of rules and re
ion ulations, if any such are necessary.
rk, relation to free grazing upon the pu
d. lie lands outside of forest or other re