The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1909-08-05
THE PARTY'S PLATFORM.
TContinned from 1st page

dates for the several offices, a uni
formity Of the ballots Of every
party, in MATERIAL print, size and
other particulars, and absolute
secrecy in depositing the same by
inclosure in separate envelope, or
by sealing, and by prevention of
admittance to the booth OF any
other than the voter.
We condemn the Republican
Legislature for its pronigacy in ere
ating new Offices and raising sala-
ries in almost every State Depart
ment, and this in spite of the fact
that the wage-earner and taxpayer
was confronted with hard times,
low wages, and slack work, and in
creased cost of the necessaries OF
life; all of which call for economy
instead of extravaganza and higher
pay for political jobs.
We commend the action OF the
Courts and law officers in attempt
ing to bring to justice and punish
those concerned in the Capitol graft,
but demand an arraignment OF
those yet untried. More than two
years have elapsed since the dis
closures by the investigation, and
as yet none have been punished,
and most are unconvicted; we call
upon the administration in power
for the speediest measures consist
ent with justice, so that the limo
cent may be cleared, the guilty
punished and the honor of the
Commonwealth vindicated.
woRKMEN FORCED TO STRIKE.
We deplore the continued exist
ence of labor troubles in our Com
monwealth, affecting important in
dustries and vast numbers of people
and counsel moderation, concession
and arbtation, so that fair dealing
and adjustment may be reached.
While we concede to capital ant
employers the utmost protection
guaranteed by the Constitution anc
the laws, we maintain that labo
has the right also to that protection
which comes through organization
and union. Labor unions organic
ed for the betterment of the condi
ton of wage-earners, acting within
the limits of the law, and not sub
versive of public order, or individ
ual rights, are not only lawful, bu
commendable, and should be met
recognized and dealt with accord
ingly. The right of laborers to or
ganize within these limitations is a
sacred as any other right of persol
or property, and we condemn alik
all resorts to violence on the on
hand or stubborn refusal to arbi
trate on the other.
As an imposition upon the con
sumer and wage-earner we condemn
the pending tariff law passed by th'
House of Representatives, and de
clare that its provisions are in di
rect violation of the promise of th
Republican party and its platform
and as framed for the benefit O
special interests and against thos
who purchase the necessaries O
life.
AS citizens of the greatest manu-
featuring and industrial State il
the nation we recommend and de
clare for the establishment of
permanent and expert Tariff Com
mission, whose tenure of office shal
be so fixed as to not be subject t.
political influence or whim, anC
whose duties shall be advisory t
Congress in regard to changes il
, existing tariff laws, in order tina
the tariff system may be expertl
r equalized, and necessary alteration
made from time to time, as eXistin
conditions demand, without sub
jecting the entire system to recon
struction, which always bring
business depression and fnancia
5 disaster
, We hereby declare for libera
pensions to the survivors of the lat
civil war and their widows, recog
nizing the service that these me,