The Waxahachie daily light. [volume] (Waxahachie, Tex.) 1894-current, 1909-09-17

larations was shown In the last con-
gress when the republican reformers
attempted to interpret their ambig-
uous platform Even the democratic
platform was interpreted differently
by different members of the party.
In view OF the fact that some of
the democrats denied the binding
force of platforms every democratic
platform should contain a plank en-
dorsng the democratic doctrine that
platform pledges are inviolable.
The Commoner presents, below, a
! sample tariff plank. 1t contains
three propositions, the first, declar-
| ing that a platform is binding. the
second, promising revision of the
rules of the house of representatives
and the third, outlining tariff
policy. No democratic candidate is
deserving of support who denies that
/ platform Is binding or who refuses
/ to announce his position on questions
/ elected to congress who is not will
/ ing to assist in restoring popular
government in the house of represen-
tatives. Democrats may honestly diff
! fer as TO schedules but they are not
! likely to differ much unless they
are tinCtured with the protective tar
Tiff idea. 1t is only when they are
seeking a pretext for giving protec-
/ ton to some industry that they be-
| gin to manufacture reasons for OPP
| posing reductions. Here is the SAM
! pie tariff plank:
| First, A platform is a pledge, Civ
/ en- by the candidate to the voters
and, when ratified at the polls, be-
/ comes a contract between the Off
/ cial and his constituents. To violate
I 1t, in letter or in spirit is not only
undemocratic but repugnaut to the
principles of representative govern
ment, and constitutes an embezzle-
ment of power.
Second, We denounce the despot-
ism known as Cannonism and favor
such an amendment of the rules of
the national house of represen-
tatives as will restore popular gov
eminent in that body and insure the
rule of the majority on every ques-
! ton
Third, We endorse the tariff
plank of the last national democratic
platform and believe that the meas
ure carrying out the promise of that
platform should, among other
things, provide for:
/ Free wool, the abolition of the
compensatory duties on woolens and
a substantial reduction in the ad
valorem rate on woolens.
Free lumber, free wood pulp and
free paper.
Free hides, leather, harness, boots
and shoes.
Free oil and products of oil.
Free iron ore, free coal and low
duties on all manufactures of iron
and steel.
Free binding Irvine. cotton ties
and cotton bagging.
Material reductions in the cotton
schedules and in the tariff upon all
other necessarics of life, especially
upon articles sold abroad more
cbeaply than at home, the aim being
to put the lowest duty on articles
of necessity and the highest on ar,
ticles of luxury. Articles coming into
competition with trust made articles
should be placed upon the free list
No tariff should be above fifty
per cent ad yaloTem, excepting upon
liquor and tobacco, and all rates
above twenty-five per cent, excepting
those upon liquor and tobacco
should be reduced one-twentieth
each year until twenty-five per
cent rate is reached, the purpose be-
ing to reduce the tariff gradually to
a revenue basis and thereafter to
collect tariff for revenue only.
( A congress elected on a platform
like the above would be pledged to
real tariff reduction and tariff bill
embodying these principles, would
! IL passed by democratic house and
rejected by a republican senate
make a tariff issue for 1912-an is
sue which would draw the line be-
! tween tariff reformers and protec-
tionsts. The platform should, of
course. cover all other questions al
issue.
The Commoner will be pleased to
publish brief letters from democratic
candidates for congress endorsing
/ or rejecting the above platform in
whole or in part. II each candidate
viii announce his platform the pub
lie can decide intelligently and the
! Commoner urges the nomination OF
that democratic candidate, whoever
he may be, whose platform reflects
the wishes of the democrats Of his
/ district. If the democratic party Is
Ireally prOtectiOnist party 1t should