The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1908-08-28

Following is the platform Of the
regular republican party of Tennes-
see. which nominated Hon. Geo. y.
Tillman for Governor as reported by
the committee on resolutions at the
Aug. - convention, and adopted by
the convention:
The representatives of the republi-
can party of Tennessee, in convention
assembled. submit as their platform
the following statements and declara-
tons of their principles and purposes.
There are certain propositions upon
which all good citizens of Tennessee
whether democrats or republicans, are
agreed, among which are that under
the constitution of the United States
and of the state of Tennessee and the
laws made in pursuance thereon, all
persons of whatever nationality, race
or color, are entitled to protect the
weak as well as the strong In the
enjoyment of their rights; that equal
and exact justice should be melted out
tn all; that there should be as great
economy in the expenses Of govern
ment as is consistent with efficiency;
that.there should be no more offices
than are necessary to properly trans
act the public business; that it is the
duty of the state to develop and I'M
prove it's public school system, ana
to encourage and aid the University
Of Tennessee. the Peabody Normal
and all institutions of learning by ex-
emption from taxation and. in certain
cases, by allowance of money out OF
the state treasury, to the end tnat
knowledged and virtue may be In
creased; that all departments OF the
government should be kept up to the
highest point Of usefulness to the
people by adequate appropriation, to
be wisely expended, and by having
them administered by the ablest and
most competent and faithful men that
can be found in the state
The good citizens of the state, also
democrats and republicans, are agreed |
that we should have honest elections;
that the results of the voting people !
shall be correctly declared and car
ried ont; that all fraud should be ex-
tirpated, and to this end that the cleo
ton and registration laws should be
such as to furnish no invitation or
facilities for fraud or corruption.
In order that these general aims
and object may be effected, we declare
that the following policies and acts
are necessary; .Is
IN Liquor Traffic.
The first thing of Importance is 10
rid the state of the liquor traft1c ana
the recurring political contests WIN
that powerful and corrupting interest
The general use of intoxicating IL
uuors is detrimental to the pubic
health; productive of immortality, In
sanity and crime; destructive of the
peace and order of society and fruit
full source of poverty, suffering ana
sorrow: therefore we affirm the pat
form of the republican party OF l9oo'
in favor of statewide prohibition, by
an enactment extending the proVls-
ions of the "Four-Mile" law, so that
they shall apply to the whole state
not excepting from their operation
any city or town whatever, and we
favor the suppression by laws, state
and national, of the jug Trade"
Election Laws.
The laws relating to the reglstra-
tion and elections have been enacted
from time to time, amended ana re-
amended, so that it is difficult to de-
termine just what the law is upon
certain points. There ought to be
well considered, perspicuous law
enacted, covering the whole subject
and eliminating the provisions of the
present laws which invite and faclli-
tate corruption and fraud-such as
the provision requiring a voter to ac-
tually exhibit his registration certin-
cate. Notwithstanding his name is up
on the registration book lying before
the election officers. This provision
is enforced sometimes and at some
places, others not, and will be declared
mandatory and essential or directory
and unessential by a dishonest par
tisan canvassing board, according as
its effect upon the result may be raw
orable or unfavorable to those candl-
dates 1t desires to count in. But
worst and most unjust Of all, is the
present law placing the election ma
chinery in the hands of a state board
controlled NV the dominant faction or