The Washington herald., 1908-06-28

Denver. June 1.-THE platform now be-
ing written by Bryan at Lincoln will be
in a large measure the Nebraska State
platform which was adopted at Omaha
on March 5.
The Nebraska platform advanced little
that was new. The Fowler and Aldrich
currency bills were condemned. Emer-
gency currency. it was declared. Should
be issued and controlled by the Federal
government" Immediate revision of the
tariff was emphasized as a necessity, the
stand-pat policy being ridiculed in the
boldest terms. There was a straight dec
laration in opposition to Asiatic immigra-
ton. and there We're paragraphs favoring
the eight-hour working day and the ex-
tension of irrigation and reclamation pro-
jects There was no reference to govern
ment ownership. and neither was there
"a personal liberty clause"
Plank on Corporations.
The Nebraska platform further declares:
I'VE rejoice at the increasing signs of an
awakening in the United States The
various Investigations have traced graft
and political corruption 10 the representa-
tives Of predatory wealth and laid bare
the unscrupulous methods by which they
have debauched elections and preyed upon
a defenseless public through the subserv-
lent officials whom they have raised to
place and power.
siTha ppperfor,e Of tb. ,-+f,-, -,-,-
aroused, and will. if honestly appealed 10.
free the government from the grip of
those who have made it a business asset
Of the favor-seeking corporations; il must
become again a government of the people.
by the people and for the people, and be
administered in all its departments ac-
cording TO the Jeffersonian maxim of
equal rights to all and special privileges
10 none.
The OvershadOving Issue.
This is the overshadowing issue at this
time; it manifests itself in all the ques-
tions now under discussion and demands
immediate consideration.
Believing with jefferson in the suppor,
of the State governments in all their
rights as the most competent administra-
ton for our Democratic concerns and the
surcst bulwark against anti-repubIicar
tendency and in the preservation of the
government In its whole constitutional
vigor as the sheet anchor Of our peace at
home and safety abroad. we are opposed
10 the Capitalization implied in the sug-
gestOns now frequently made that the
powers Of the general government should
be extended by judicial construction.
We favor the election Of United
States Senators by direct vote Of the peo.
pie and regard this reform as the gate.
way to all other national reforms.
"A private monopoly is indefensible
and intolerable. We, therefore, favor tn,
vigorous enforcement Of the criminal law.
against trusts and trust magnates and de.
mand the enactment of such additiona
legislation as may be necessary to max,
II impossible for a private monopoly tC
exist in the United States"
Tarin Revision Favored.
The platform specifies some remedie,
for these. and says.
We welcome the belated promise o.
tariff reform now offered by a part o.
the Republican party as a tardy recogni
tion Of the righteousness Of the Demo
crate position on this question.
We favor an immediate revision o.
the tariff by the reduction of inpor
duties. Articles entering into compel .or
with articles controlled by trusts should
be placed upon the free list: material re
ductions should be made I'm the tarifr upor
the necessaries Of life, and reduction
should be made i'm such other schedule.
as may be necessary to restore the tariff
10 a revenue basis
We favor an income tax as part OF
our revenue system. but urge the sub
mission Of a constitutional amendment
specifically authorizing Congress to levy
and collect "a tax upon individual and
corporate incomes. to the end that wealth
may bear its proportionate share Of the
burdens Of the Federal government. We
favor a national inheritance tax.
Regulation of Railroads.
I'VE assert the right Of Congress tc
exercise complete control over interstate
commerce. and we assert the right OF
each State 10 exercise Just as compIete
control over commerce within it's borders
We believe that both the nation anG
various States should FIRST ascertain the
physical value Of railways. measured b,
the cost Of reproduction; second, prohibit
the issue of any more watered stock OF
fictitious capitalization: third. prohibit Tn,
railways from engaging In any busines.
which brings them into competition with
their shippers. and. fourth. reduce trans
portaton rates until they reach a point
where they yield only reasonable return
on the present value of the roads. sucl
reasonable return being defined as a re-
turn sufficient 70 keep the stock Of the
roads at par when such roads are honest
ly capitalized"
The Authorization Clause.
The platform also favors postal saving.
banks, and says
I'VE favor such modification OF tho Law
relating 10 injunctions as will. first pre
vent the issuing Of the writ In industria
disputes except after notice TO defend
ants and full hearing; second. permi
trial OF such by a judge other than IN,
one who issued the writ and third. allow
a jury 10 be summoned in all cases wher,
the alleged contempt is committed out
side the presence Of the court
I'VE favor an employers liability law
applicable to both public and private EN-
ployers."