The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1910-07-21
1trmpnt 1atthnlan.
THE DEMOCRATIC PLATFORM.

1t is interesting 20 compare the
platform adopted by the Democratic
State Convention with the Republic
can platform. On national issues, or
course, there is a difference but there
is considerable similarity in the two
declarations of principles regarding
State issues.
The Republican tariff policy is con-
demned and the Payne-Aldrich act is
attacked, as might be expected. 1t is
natural, however, that the voters
should recall the fact that the only
time in the past half century when the
Democratic party had control of both
branches of Congress, and a Demo-
cratic President was in the White
House, giving the party power to pass
any kind of a tariff bill it desired, it
made up bill in the old bargain and
dicker style, permitting favored cor
porations to write schedules, and
passed a measure much less satisfac
bad that Grover Cleveland permitted
it to become law without his sigma
ture. Cannon and Cannopism are con-
demned in good round phrases, al
hough the Speaker and his rules
were saved from overthrow early in
the last session by the votes Of Con-
gresham Fitzgerald of New York and
several OF his Democratic colleagues.
The ratification by the Vermont
Legislature of the income tax am
endment to the United States Consti-
tuition is demanded. The Republican
platform was silent on the subject, SO
that the next Legislature, if It ap-
proves the measure will follow Dem
ocratic leadership, although that
party has always been supposed to be
to be a great stickler for the doctrine
of State Rights.
Double taxation is condemned, but
curiously enough, our Democratic
friends do not outline a successful
plan by which this evil may be rem
edied The platform goes further
than the Republican policy of caucus
reform in calling for a direct primary
system. 1t is probable that an attempt
will be made by Republicans in the
next Legislature to secure the pass
age of such a law 1t is not certain
however, that public opinion has
crystalized sufficiently yet to secure
the enactment of such law. 1t is
pretty certain, though, that bill will
be passed providing for publicity of
campaign expenses.
Pointed reference is made to in
tended control of legislative action
by the railroads of Vermont. The
Journal does not believe that such
control is possible, although the act
ivity of certain prominent railroad
attorneys in politics this year has
gone beyond the limits of prudence,
and has created much unfavorable
comment. If legislators attempt to
secure the repeal of any of the es-
sential features of the laws con-
trolling the corporations of the
State, passed during the administra-
tons of Governors Proctor and
Prouty, they are pretty likely to
hear something from the folks at
home. The Journal does not believe
that Governor Mead will give his
consent that any backward movement
be taken by his administration regard
ing the control of railroad or other
corporations. The Democrats, like
the Republicans, favor an employers
liability act and exemption of wages
from trustee process, although the
Democrats put the limit at $25 while
the Republicans favor an amount not
less than So The Democrats advo-
cate the establishment of a State
Board of Arbitration for the settle
ment of labor disputes Although this
policy was not embodied in the Re-
publican platform the candidate for
Governor, in his speech of accept
'ance, advocated the appointment of
such board following the general
lines of the Canadian act.
The good roads plank of the Dem
ocratic platform is distinctly weaker
and more vague than the Republican
plank. The local option law, made
possible by Republican Legislature,
is praised, and the Republican liquor
plank is condemned, as insincere, a
charge which needs more specific evil
dence of bad faith than a mere asser-
ton of that sort. The approval of the
proposed amendments to the YER
mont constitution is a gratifying step,
as both Republicans and Democrats
are now on record in favor of the
changes suggested This ought to in
sure prompt and unanimous action by
the Legislature in ratifying the am
endments.
The General Assembly of 1908 is
condemned, among otheer things. for
its salary graft" A reference to the
House Journal for the session of
1903 shows that on the final passage
OF the bill in the House only five