Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-07-22
PROGRESSIVE IN ALL RESPECTS

PROGRESSIvE IN ALL RESPECTS
The more that is learned OF Wood
row Wilson the more common be-
comes the agreement that he is not
only progressive but patriotic and po-
tential. So is the democratic national
platform about which too little has
been said. Just as was Wilson made
the presidential nominee of the Balti-
more convention, so is the platform
brilliantly progressive because it is
largely Bryan's work and practically
dictated by him.
Epitomized the democratic nation
al platform pledges are:
A tariff for revenue only; immedi-
ate revision downward of existing ex-
tortionate rates; trust-controlled pro-
ducts to be put upon the free list.
Civil and criminal prosecution Of
trusts; new legislation TO prevent mo-
nopoly and stock-watering; an amend
ment of the antitrust law to make it
| fully effective.
| Preservation Of all the rights and
| powers of the states in combating
commercial and industrial combina-
ton and conspiracy; national RENE
/ dies to be added to and not substL
tuted for state remedies.
| A demand for the ratification of the
amendments providing for the income
tax and the popular election of SEN
ators.
Publicity for all recommendations
upon which presidential appointments
are made, for the ownership of news
papers, and for contributions and ex-
penditures in national political cam
paigns.
Presidential primaries and popular
election of national committeeman,
who are TO take Office Immediately
after they are named.
The use Of money at national cleo.
lions by corporations to be made I'M
lawful.
single term for the president, to
which the candidate is pledged.
Supervision and rate regulation OF
railroad. express, telegraph and tele-
phone companies.
Revision Of the banking laws to
prevent the concentration and misuse
Of money; no government deposits
, in favored banks; real estate to be
, accepted as security for a reason
| able proportion of national bank loans
, Comprehensive legislation for the
: improvement Of the great rivers and
the prevention Of floods.
, No false issue as to the judiciary
, no judicial processes may be abused
: we must guard them against abuse.
: Trial by jury in cases of indirect
I contempt; rigid impartiality in al
proceedings involving injunctions
with no prejudice against labor organ
izations; an independent department
, of labor; an employees compensation
law.
Pure food laws that will not be sub
= ordinated TO any commercial or finan
+ cial interest.
r Comprehensive conservation meas
3 ures in the public interest, but S,
, drawn and construed as not 10 abridg
, the rights OF bona-fide settlers.
A declaration of the nations pun
4 pose to liberate and recognize the in
o dependence OF the Philippines unde
!. certain conditions.
/ Territorial government for the pee
g pie of Alaska; legislation to make III
y Alaskan coal deposits available witt
!, out monopoly.
5 Encouragement OF the merchan
z marine, but without bounds or subsiC
les.
n The establishment of a parcel pos
Z or postal express; extension of rura
. delivery.
= Equality Of all citizens, irrespecrlv
h OF race or creed, with full prote,
! ton Of their lives, rights and prope
q ~ in foreign countries.
Il Exemption from tolls Of America
!; coastwise ships passing through tn
4 Panama canal; no use of the CAM
by ships owned by railroads in con
!. petition with the canal.
;. Extension to civil service employe
: of the benefits OF the employers
. ability law; no abridgment of the
4 right TO petition for redress of grie
a ances.
Every paragraph is a challenge I
privilege. There is no compromisin
nor side-stepping. and it is thus
contrast with the Taft platform {
evasion and equivocation.
Democrats who are really progre
lie sive should be attracted by the der
IN ocratic platform as well as by ii
DR. democratic candidate.
I'd We especially commend the dem
at cratic platform to the considerable
ut OF fair-minded, progressive republ
Mt cans Of whom there are SO many ar
who, If they lay prejudice aside, W
be find just what they want and ju
as what the country needs in the Bal
IS more platform