The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1909-06-10
INTRODUCED A RESOLUTION IN
THE HOUSE CALLING ON DEMO-
CRATIC EXECUTIVE COMMIT
TEE TO ADOPT A DECLARATION
OF PRINCIPLES.
RX Erred M. Allen.


Alexander, of Volusia county:
Whereas, the legislature of the state
of Florida is made up entirely of
lien who were elected as democrats,
and
Whereas, it has been clearly DEM
oDSirated by the positions taken by
various legislators in both branches OF
the legislature, during the past sever
a. sessions, that there are two dis.
tinct parties here represented, both
claiming TO be democrats, and
Whereas, a reference to the posi-
tons taken by these two parties upon
pending legislation clearly shows
cardinal difference Of opinion, the ad-
hnrents of one party supporting by
| their legislative vote the time honor
Cd principles and policies enunciated
by Thomas Jefferson and all the 9th
er great democratic leaders, and the
adaerents oS the other party opposing
those principles whenever there has
| been an effort to enact them into law,
ana
Whereas, the existence in fact Of
these two antagonistfc parties, both
Ginning to be democrats, is common
| ~ known and remarked by a vast ma
| joTity of the people OF this state, and
Whereas, We believe that the public
| veal demands that all parties should
clearly define their positions upon all
public questions requiring legislation,
aui
Whereas, we feel that it is injurious
to the democratic party to include
within its ranks those wnO are known
to be opposed to its principles, and,
| Whereas, we believe that the great
est good to the greatest number is
embodied in the great foundation
! Tlr,i v1F IDTo Nf nd a.
party will act to its detriment If 1t
longer carries under its banner per-
sons who do not believe in its princi-
( pies, and who use their influence for
the defeat of these principles;
Now, therefore, be it resolved that
| The state democratic executive COM
2li,teo of Florida is most respectfully
| though most earnestly requested to
adopt the following declaration OF
principles, and to require that the
same shall be subscribed to by all
privileges of participation in any DEM
lccratic primary election to be held in
this state. to-wit:
| We believe that the right to rule
| the country is iTTevocably vested in
the people themselves, and that this
fright to rule includes the right to reg
r;a:e all the public utility corpora
| tionS, whether municipal, state or ma
tionai.
We believe that all capital actually
invested in public utilities should be
protected and safeguaTded by law
Just as fully as property rights of 9TH
er kinds, but we also believe that the
franchise or privilege to do a public
utility business belongs to the people
in the aggregate; therefore, We be-
lieve also, that those engaged in do
ing a public utility business should
not be permitted to make capital of,
nor derive profit from, the value OF
their franchises.
Since all corporations are the cTea-
lures Of the law, being born Of de-
sire to promote the happiness and
welfare OF the masses, We are opposed
to their interference with the politics
AID legislation of the state and the
nation, and advocate rigid enforce
nlent of all the laws intended to rem
edy this very apparent evil.
Believing that the people them
selves are sovereign, we are unalter
ably opposed to any policy which
ISceks to make them and their toll the
financial asset of any individual or
group o. individuals, and it shall be
our policy, at all times and all places,
ard by all manner of honorable
m1at and enact laws which will Sc
cure to every one the just value Of his
productive work.
| We believe that the country and all
It's resources belong inherently to the
masses of the people, and that the
laws governing society and commerce
should be so framed and administered
, as to preserve unto the masses this
rich heritage forever, rather than to
permit it to be mOnopoliZed as pri
Yate property to the enormous en-
riclment of the few and at the ex
rensc of poverty, ignorance and stTf
feT.ng to the many.
II We believe in the time hOnOred
doctrine that all governments derive
their just powers from the consent OF
the governed, and that our present
system of primary elections secures
a FULLER expression of that consent
than does any other method We
= also believe that the time has fully
come when the mere pensive consen;
Z Of The governed should as far as pos
sible. be replaced by an active re
= quest. Under the convention system
I in the solidIy democratic south a
mere pensive consent was all that the
! people had & chance 20 give, but IN
der the individual responsibility i'm
posed By t1e primary system they are
growing wiser in governmental al
fairs and are becoming more seltFeli-
art II NAV be true, as asserted oy
some, that they have made mistakes
bit we have an Astounding faith II
their ability TO ultimately master the
situation and establish things IN the