The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1908-05-27
LAW OF THE PARTY.

Nohsutution OF the State Democracy
as Amended by State Democratic
Convention.
Platform Of the Democratic party
OF the State Of South Carolina in con-
vention at Columbia, May 20, 1908:
We, the Democratic party of
south Carolina, in convention assem-
oied, reaffirm our faith in the funda-
mental and historic principles Of the
party Of Thomas Jefferson. and cal,
TO the nation to put it's trust again in
the party Of individual liberty and
OF equal rights to all and spec,al
privileges to nome
I'VE favor the exercise by the gen.
eral government Of all its constitu-
tional authority for the prevention Of
monopoly and for the regulation Of
interstate commerce. and we insist
that federal remedies shall be added
TO- and not substituted for. State
remedies. We denounce as revolu-
tionary the policy Of the Republican
party that the powers of the genera,
government should be extended nv
judicial construction.
"A private monopoly is indefensib,e
and intolerable. We, therefore, favor
the vigorous enforcement of the Grim.
inal law against trusts and trust mag
mates. and We demand the enactment
OF such additional legislation as may
be necessary to make it impossible
for private monopoly to exist in the
United States.
I'VE favor an immediate revision
of the tariff by placing upon the free
list articles entering into competition
with articles controlled by trusts and
by reducing the tariff on the necessa-
ries OF life. We denounce as hypo-
critical the promise Of the Republican
party to enact such legislation after
the election.
| "Our present financial conditions
show the urgent necessity for more
elastic currency system. The Demo-
cratic party Of the nation should
pledge the people that IL placed in
power it will enact prompt, but con-
servative. legislation toy relieve pres
ent conditions.
| I'VE favor the enactment OF a fair
and just employers liability law.
] I'VE sympathize with the efforts
put forth for the reclamation OF the
arid lands of the West and the use
of irrigation in the development of
the country, and upon the same prin-
ciple we favor the reclamation OF
swamp lands.
I'VE favor the preservation of the
forests still remaining. and the plant
ing Of the denuded districts in all our
mountain ranges, as we'll as the for
estation Of the Western plains.
I'VE urge liberal appropriations
for the Improvement and develop
ment Of the interior waterways, be-
lieving that such expenditures will
return large dividend in iessened
cost Of transportation.
1--WE favor the election of United
States senator by direct vote of the
people. and regard this reform as
the gateway to other national re.
forms.
| x.xrv
I'VE favor a federal law )mpell.
ing the fullest publicity in the mat.
ter Of contributions to the national
campaign funds Of all parties, and we
would call the attention Of the nation
to the failure Of the Republican par
ty to enact such legislation as proof OF
the correctness Of the charge made
on the eve Of the last presidential
election by the Democratic nominee
for president that the Republican
party had received assistance from
corporations desiring to control the
policies of the national government
in their own interests.
1--WE welcome Oklahoma to the SIS
terhood OF States and heartily con-
gratulate her upon the auspicious be-
ginning Of great career.
I'VE favor separate Statehood for
Arizona and New Mexico. and de-
mand for the People Of Porto Rico
the full enjoyment of the rights and
privileges Of territorial form Of gov
! ernment."