Fergus County Democrat., 1910-09-13
State Democratic Platform.

"The democrats of Montana in con-
vention assembled send greetings to
the democrats Of other states. and
congratulate them on the progress
and triumph OF democratic principles
everywhere in the nation. One by
one we have seen the platform prn-
ciples OF our party adopted by the
republican party, which first derided
and denounced them.
"The progressive policies embodied
in the last four national democratic
platforms have been fully vindicated
by time, and out of the mouth OF
our opponents are now justified. The
love OF the great fundamental truth
that the interests Of the man should
be placed above the interests of the
] dollar, and where these now conflict
it has been working its sure effect in
the republican party.
"The teachings of democracy, so
ably and brilliantly expounded by our
leader, the great commoner OF Ne
braska, has split the republican party
into two conflicting and antagonistic
camps The insurgent republicans
are following paths blazed by the
national democracy under the leader
ship of William ]. Bryan. They
democratic members of congress to
redeem the house of representatives
from the blight of Cannonism, and
for the accomplishment Of other
needed reforms in the national ad-
ministration.
I'VE welcome their cooperation ir
the attainment of progressive legisla-
ton advocated in Our national plat
form, and promise them our further
aid and cooperation in the realiza
ton of democratic principles.
"We endorse the national platform
Of the democratic party, as set fortf
at Denver, in every line Of that plat
form, and pledge the democracy O
Montana to resolutely keep its face
turned toward the great reforms there
is proposed.
1--WE denounce the Payne-Aldricl
tariff bill as fraud upon the Ameri
can people, a tremendous factor II
the increased cost of living, and ;
violation of such pledges of tariff re
form as was promised in the last ma
tional republican platform, in re
i
"We renew Our demand for fed
eral income tax law, and favor tn
constitutional amendment expressl
authorizing it.
"We enthusiastically endorse tn
administration of state affairs unde
that honest, able and true democra
Gov. Edwin L. Norris.
"We pledge the democratic part
of the state Of Montana, if intruste
with majority in both houses of tn
legislature. to place on the statut
: book Of the state of Montana, a d
. rect primary law, modelled after tn
| Oregon law. That will make the wi
of the majority of the voters of tn
state effective in the selection of tn
United States senators from thi
state.
"We call attention to the fact tina
in the last legislature the democrati
majority in the lower house mad
good their platform pledge in favo
of the Oregon primary law by tn
passage of such measure, and tha
the citizens of the state would no,
have the opportunity of casting
referendum vote, indicating thei
choice for the successor of Senate
Thomas H. Carter, were it not fo
the determined opposition of Senate
Carter and the republican majority
the state senate.
III "We are opposed to all invasions {
the sovereign rights of the states. an
re-af6rm the historic position of tn
democratic party in favor of the rigl
to the state to administer its own r,
sources. and make its own laws.
1--WE see no good reason why II