Bluefield evening leader. [volume] (Bluefield, W. Va.) 1906-1911, 1908-07-10


! the rights OF the people.
Any reasonable doubt as to the
existence of this relation has been
! forever dispelled by the sworn tes-
! timony OF witnesses examined In the
| insurance investigation in New York
| and the open admission, unchal-
ienged by the Republican national
| committee. OF single individual.
that he himself at the personal re-
quest of the Republican candidate
fer the presidency raised over a
! quarter of a million OF dollars to be
used in a single state during the
! closing hours OF the last campaign
In order that this practice shall be
stopped for all time. we demand the
passage OF a statute Furnishing with
Imprisonment any officer of cor
poration who shall either contribute
on behalf of, or consent to the con-
| tribution by corporation Of, any
money or thing OF value to be used
In furthering the election OF a pres
ident of the United States or of any
| member Of the congress thereof.
We denounce the action OF the
| Republican party having complete
control OF the federal government.
for its failure TO pass the bill, in
troduced in the last congress, to
compel the publication OF the names
OF contributors and the amounts
contributed toward campaign funds.
and point to the evidence OF their in
sincerity. when they sought by an
absolutely irrelevant and impossi-
Bile amendment to defeat the pass
age OF the bill. further evidence
| OF their intention to conduct their
campaign in the coming contest with
| vast sums OF money wrested from
favor-seeking corporations, we call
attention to the fact that the recent
Republican national convention at
Chicago refused, when the plank
| was presented to 1t, to declare
against such practices.
We pledge the Democratic party
to the enactment of law prevent
ing any corporation contributing to
a campaign fund. and any individ
ual from contributing an amount
above a reasonable minimum and
providing for the publication before
election OF such contributions.
Economy of Administration.
The Republican congress in SEES
sion Just ended has made appropria-
tons amounting to $1,008,000,0 1000,
exceeding the total expenditures of
the past fiscal year by $90,000.000
and leaving deficit or more than
$50. 100000 for the fiscal year. We
denounce the needless waste of the
peoples money which has resulted
in this appalling increase, as a
shameful violation of all prudent
conditions of government, as no
less than a crime against the mil
lions of working men and women
] to-,
portion of these colossal sums must
be extorted through excessive tarin
exactions and other indirect meth
DDS. 1t is not surprising that in the
face of this shocking record, the
Republican platform contains no
reference to economical administra-
ton or promise thereof in the flu
ture. We demand that a stop be
put to this frightful extravaganza
and insist upon the strictest econo-
my in every department compatible
with frugal and efficient administra-
ton.
income Tax.
We favor an income tax as part
of our revenue system, and we urge
the submission of constitutional
amendment specifically authorizing
congress to levy and collect a tax
upon individual and corporate In
comes, to the end that wealth may
hear its proBortipnate share of the
burdens Of the federal government.
Pan-American Relations.
The Democratic party recognizes
| the Importance and advantage OF
! developing closer ties OF panAmer-
/ can friendship and commerce be-
tween the United States and her sis
ter nations of Latin-Amerioa and
/ eavOrs the taking OF such steps, con-
Gistent with Democratic policies. for
better acquaintance, greater mutual
confidence. and larger exchange OF
! trade. as will bring lasting benent
/ not only to the United States. but to
/ this group of American republics
| having constitutions. forms OF gov
eminent, ambitions and interests
/ akin to our own.
The Navy.
The constitutional provision that
| a navy shall be provided and main
/ tanned means an adequate navy and
| We believe that the interests OF this
| country would be best served by
/ having a navy sufficient to defend
/ the coasts of this country and pro-
/ tect American citizens wherever
/ their rights may be in jeopardy.
Popular Election of Senators.
We favor the election Of United
/ States senators by direct vote of the
people and regard this reform as
the gateway to other national re-
/ 'Orms
Asiastic Immigration.
We favor full protection by both
national and state governments
within their respective spheres of
all foreigners residing in the United
States under treaty. but we are OPP
oOsei 10 the admission o: Asiatic
/ immigrants who can not be amalga-
mated with our population or whose
. presence among us would raise a
race issue and involve us in diplo-
/ matte coJroversies with oriental
powers
Natural Resources.
We ropaot tho demand for inter