Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1909-08-05
REPUBLICAN PLATFORM
Adopted by The State Convention at New
pom News, July 29, 1909.
INTRODUCTORY.


any OF its ever changing promises. In
the State of Virginia, in the face of
this national record, it has been unwil-
ling for many years to give to the peo-
pie Of the State any platform. By
making no promises and declaring no
principles it has tried to avoid convic-
ton of insincerity in the one and un-
faithfulness to the other.
The Republican party has not only
formulated important national policies
promoting the welfare Of the people
but, under the continuously. capable
leadership of Presidents Mckinley,
Roosevelt and Taft has carried them in
to practical effect, accomplishing great
reforms for the benefit of our country
and our people
Inspired by the example of the Ma
tional Republican party, the Republican
party of the State Of Virginia has
regularly announced its principles
and stands ready, if entrusted
with power by the people of the State,
to advance their good by fulfilling all its
promises.
FIRST-THE NATION
We believe in the principles of the
Republican party as announced in our
national platforms. We approve the
action of the Congress of the United
States in adopting an act which in
creases the taxes laid for revenue pur-
poses upon luxuries and so adjusts the
tariff duties laid upon necessaries as to
promote the development of the nation
al industries, to protect American work
men in the higher scale of wages which
they enjoy over foreign workmen, to
keep the American market for Ameri-
can products and, thus ministerirg to
the general welfare, to advance the
prosperity of all the American people.
We believe in a sound and stable cur
rency and commend the legislation Gre
ating q National Monetary Commission
to improve our financial system and fit
it completely to the growing needs of
the country. We favor a navy large
enough to care for all American inter-
lists. We commend the Republican
legislation putting railroad and other
Interstate corporations under the con-
troll of the Federal law.
SECoND-THE NATIONAL ADMINISTRA-
TIoN.
The regulation of railroad and other
corporations engaged in interstate COM
merce, the vigorous prosecution of un-
lawful trusts, the conservation of the
national resources and their protection
from monopolies, the honest admins
tration of public affairs, the prompt
prosecution of all violators of Federal
statutes, and the marvellous rate of pro-
gress in the construction of the Panama
canal, insuring its early completion -
these and other recent acts of Republi-
can administrations make us rejoice
that we are Republicans, having a share
in them and giving support to the great
statesmen who in the past twelve years
have brilliantly led the fortunes of the
nation.
THIRD-STATE AFFAIRS.
We declare that the vital issues in
Volved in the campaign upon which we
are about to enter embrace wide, pa
triotic, honest, economic and business
like administration of our State govern
ment, whereby useless Offices, created
by the Democratic party, may be abol-
ished, officers salaries reduced to rea-
sonable figures. and the expenses of the
government curtailed. And, in this
connection, we charge that the Demo-
cratic party, by its mismanagement of
our public affairs has increased the or
dinary expenses Of the State govern
ment from SO, 675, ,507.00 in 1903 to the
enormous sum of IS, ,25O, 468. 90 in 1907.
This we charge was a useless expendi-
ture Of the peoples money, resulting in
the complete depletion Of the treasury
of the State.
FOURTH-TAXATIoN.
We favor equal taxation for every
section Of the State, and for every man;
and, if given the power, will enact such
laws as will speedily bring about an
equal valuation of property and equal
taxation.
FIFTH-ELECTIoN OF OFFICERS BY THE
PEOPLE.
We favor the election of members of
the State Corporation Commission and
all other State, county and district Of
ficials Gncluding all school officials
and commissioners of the revenue)
by the people. And we demand minor
ity representation on all State boards,
whether appointed by the judiciary or
the executive.
sIxTH-APoAsH FEE SYSTEM.
We favor abolishing the fee system,
whereby certain officers are now re-
ceiving exorbitant and unknown sal
aries, and that all fees allowed by law
shall be collected by such officers and