The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1908-07-16
DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL
PLATFORM FOR THE
CAMPAIGN OF 1908

Denver, July I3-Following Is the plat
form adopted by the democratic national
convention early this morning at the con-
clusion of Its reading by Governor Has
kell, of Oklahoma, chairman of the COM
mittee on resolutions.
We, the representatives of the demo
cracy of the United States, in national
convention assembled. reaffirm our belief
In, and pledge our loyalty to, the prin-
ciples of the party.
We rejoice at the increasing signs of an
awakening throughout the country. The
various Investigations have traced graft
and political corruption TO the representa-
tives of predatory wealth and laid bare
the INSCRIPTIONS methods by which they
have ~debauched elections and preyed upon
a defenseless public through the subserv-
lent officials whom they have raised to
places and power.
The conscience of the nation is now
aroused t: free the government from the
grip of those who have made 1t a business
asset of the favor-seeking corporations; it
must become again a peoples government
and be administered in all its departments
according to the Jeffersonian maxim of
equal rights to all and special privileges
to none"
s~hadowing issue which manifests itself
In all the questions now under discus
sion.
To Many O~fficeholders.
Coincident with the enormous increase
in expenditures Is the addition Of the num-
Der of -.ew officeholders. During the past
year 23.Is4 were added, costing SIC. 156. 900,
and in the past six years of republican ad-
ministration the total number of new Of
fees created. aside from many commits
sions. has been 99,31s, entailing an addi-
against only 1929 new offices treated I'M
der the Cleveland and Mckinley admins
trations, which involved an expenditure OF
only $4,000, COO. We d%enounce this great
and growing increase in the number of Of
ficehclders as not only unnecessary and
wasteful, but also as clearly indicating a
ministration to keep the republican party
in power at public expense by thus in
creas!ng the number of Its retainers and
dependents. Such procedure We declare
to be no less dangerous and corrupt than
the open purchase of votes at the polls.
Waste Peoples Money.
The republican congress In tie session
just ended has made appropriations
amounting to s1,oos. ooo, goo, exceeding the
total expenditures of the past fiscal year
by $30, 100000 and leaving a deficit of more
than $50. 100000 for the fiscal -,ear. We
denounce the needless waste Of the peo-
pies money which has resulted in this ap-
palling increase and shameful viola ion of
ell prudent conditions of government as
no less than a crime against the millions
of working men and women from whose
earnings the great proportion of these
colossal sums must be extorted through
excessive tariff exactions and other indi-
ASNt ~ ~ j = III " ~ ISillS lldI III
the face of this shocking record the re-
publican platform contains no reference
to economical administration nor promise
thereof in the future. We demand that
a stop be put to this frightful ~extrava-
gance and insist upon the strictest eco
nomy i'm every department compatible
with frugal and efficient administration.
Cut Cars Power.
The House of Representatives was de-
signed by the fathers of the constitution
to be the popular branch of our govern
ment, responsive to the public will. The
house OF Representatives, as controlled
has ceased to be q deliberative and legisla-
tive body, responsive t. the will of a ma
1ority, of Its members. but has come un-
ger rs absolute domination OF the speak
er, who has entire control of its delibera-
observed with ahiazsment the popular
less to obtain either the consideration or
enactment of measures desired by a ma
Jority of its members. Legislative govern
n shs be ass2na s. IA 4 ta spsske Mh IS MS sss R ps ne In
full than the entire body. We demand that
tne House Ct Representatives shall again
become q deliberatiye body, controlled by
a majority of the peoples Representatives,
and not by the speaker, and we pledge
ourselves to adopt such rules and regula-
tions 70 govern the House of Representa-
members to direct Its deliberations and
control legislation.
Misuse Of Patronage.
We condemn. as a violation of the spirit
OF Y institutions, the action of the pres
ent chief executive In using the patronage
of his high office to secure the nomina-
ton Of one OF his cabinet officers. "A
forced succession in the presidency is
esarcely less topublic sentiment
than is life tenure in that office. No good
intention on the part of the executive and
no virtue In the one selected can Justify
the establishment OF q dynasty. The right
O14&the& na0Isa RI fNon1u polaot 49,
gated.
Campaiqn Contributions Publicity.
We demand federal legislation forever
listed between corporations of the country
and the republican party under the ex-
pressed or pile agreement that In re-
turn Tor the contribution of great sums OF
money wherewith to purchase elections
they should be allowed to continue sub
stantialiy unmoiested in their efforts TO
encroach upon the tights Of the people.
Any reasonable doubt as to the existence
OF this relation has been forever dispelled
by the sworn testimony of Witnesses ex-
amlned in the insurance Investigation in
enallenged by the republican national
eommittee-of q single Individual that ne
republican candidate for the presidency
raised over q quarter OF a million Of dol
lars e be used IN q single state during
the closing hours OF the last campaign. IN
order y this practice shall be stopped
for all time we demand the passage az a
statute Furnishing with Imprisonment any
/ officer OF a corporation who shall either
contribute IN behalf OF, or consent to the
contribution BY g corporation of any
money Or anything OF value TO be used In
furthering the election Of a president or
vice president of the United States or any
member OF the congress thereon.
~denounce the action of the reu,h-
lican party. having complete control Of
the federal government. forts failure Il
pass the bill introduced In the lasf con.
gress 70 compel the publication Of fhe
names OF contributors and the amounts
contributed toward campaign funds and
point TO the evidence of their insinceritv
whenSthey sought by an absolutely irrrle.
want and impossible amendment Ia defaat
the passage of the bill. AS q further eav,s
def1ce OF their intention to conduct their
campaign In the coming contest with vas
suns of money wrested from favor seek
Ing corporations VIZ call ~attcntion ia
tact that the recent republican national
convention at Chicago refused. when
Issue was presented to Il. to declare
against such practices.
We pledge the democratic party Ia ,bo
enactment of law prohibiting any cnrs
poratf0n from contributing to Il carnnnfgr
fund and any Individual from confrIbtsfinn
amount 9 2 reasonable amount
and providing. Tor the publication, BEFORE
election, of ALI contributions above & rea-
sonAhie minimum
States Rights.
H Believing with Jeffers0n IN ~