The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1912-07-11
PROGRESSIVE PLATFORM
ADOPTED BY DEMOCRATS.
A Strong Document, Which Vas The
Result OF iGng and Careful Delii,-
Gp3ii0D On The Part OF The
Resolutions Committee.

Following is a summary of the
Nlanks Of the Democratic platform
as adopted at Baltimore:
Eaatiirms party's devotion to the
principles Of Democratic govern.
ment as formulated by Jefferson.
Declares for tariff, for revenue
oniv ard denounces the high Re.
puhlican tariff as the principle cause
OF the unequal distribution Of
wealth,
I Favor5 immediata downward re-
vision Of present duties and ospeci-
ally upon necessities of life. Also
favors gradual reduction not to in
terfere with or delay legitimate in
dUstr;es.
Donounces President Taft for We
tong tariff bills of last Congress.
Condemns the Republican admins
tration for failure to redeem its
promises Of 1908 for downward re-
visjon." Takes issue with the Re
publican platform as to the high cost
Of living, contending it is largely
due to high tariff laws.
Favors vigorous enforcement of
the criminal feature of antitrust
laws. Demands such additional leg
isl&tion as may be necessary to crush
private monopoly. Favors prohibi-
Uion Of holding companies interlock-
ing directors, stock watering, etc.
Condemns Republican administra-
tl0n for compromising with the
Standard OIL Company and tobacco
trust.
Denounces as "usurpation" the
efforts Of Republicans to deprive
States Of their rights and to enlarge
powers Of the Federal government.
There is, says the platform, mo
light zone between the Nation and
the State in which the exploiting in
terests can take refuge from. both. -
- -- Il. -,r.'s,~r. .r--t 49, ~ -
constitutional amendments pending
il various State legislatures provid-
ING for IN income tax and election
Of United States Senators by direct
vote OF the people. As justification
Of the demands Of the party for
publicity Of campaign expenditures,
attention is directed TO the enor-
nous expenditures Of money in be-
half Of the President and his prede-
ccssor in the recent Presidential
contest
Fayors efficient supervision and
rate regulation Of railroads, express
companies, telegraph and telephone
lines. and valuation Of these COM
panjes by inter-states Commerce
Commission, and also legislation
against over-issuance Of stocks Of
these corporations. Ia connection
w,.h q demand for such g revision
Of the banking laws as will give
Temporary relief in case of financial
distress, there IS 8 denunciation Of
The Alur:cn Dill prepared by the
monetary commission. The present
method of 5erositiDc government
funds is condemned and the party
pledged to the enactment of law
for the deposit Of such funds by
connective bidding in State and Ma
ti0nal banks without discrimination
as to locality.
Recommends investigation Of ag-
ricuItural credit societies in Europe
to ascertain whether a system Of
rural credits may be devised suita
BILE to conditions in the United
States.
Pledges party Of enactment Of
legislation TO prevent devastation
OF lower Mississippi Valley by floods
and the control Of the MISSISSIPPI,
declared to be National rather than
4 State problem. The maintenance
of q nav;gabIc channel is also recon-
nended.
Declared for Presidential prefer
ence primaries. Directs the Nation
al committee to provide for selec-
ton at primaries Of members of
National committee.
Pledges party to enactment OF
law prohibiting campaign contrlbu-
tons by corporations and unreason-
able campaign contribution by indi-
viduals.
Favors single Presidential term
and making President ineligible to
q reelection.