The Caucasian. (Shreveport, La.) 1900-192?, 1912-06-30
DEMOCRATIC PLATFORM
A Synopsis of the Principles Which
Are To Be RepOrted-It Is AggreS-
sive and Responsive to the Spirit
of PrOgreSSiveneSs.

| cratic platform was completed t.
' day and IS ready for presentation t.
| tn" convention. The document con
taiHS upward of 5000 words. tn
) leading pIankS being devoted to tn
subject OF tariff reform. the higI
cost Of liz ing and the antitrust law
- While tn" text of the platform viii
not be made public until submitted
to the convention, the nature of tn
party,S declaration became known.
1t represents the pTOgreSsiViSm or
which the party will stand with th'
approval Of the nominee to be pre-
Sented to the convention.
! The document is the result of Il
hours deIiberation on the part OF
the committee. It is almost an en-
tlrely new document, although tn.
recommendations of the New York
delegation were followed in many
particulars. First to last the com
mittee's deliberations were charac-
teriZed' by the utmost harmony. The
unanimous demand which for the
most pronounced declarations in
favor of progressive policies and the
only difference of opinion arose
over the best method of expressing
this tendency.
The result is a platform of gener-
ally advanced laws, although many
of them are less radical than the
party declarations of other years.
The document covers every subject
of Importance which has been the
subject of party discussion the last
four years. None of them are elabO-
rately presented, but the large mum
Der of subjects renders it somewhat
Volumlnous. One member said it was
as long as clothes line, and another
that it extends from Maine to Cali
fOrnia.
The members of the committee
express general satisfaction with the
outcome of their vote and Mr.. Bry-
an, who took an active part in franz
ing the paper made the prediction
that it would arouse the disapprovaI
of not to exceed a dozen members of
the convention.
Under the new rule adopted, the
platform will not be presented to
the convention until after the nomi-
nation of the candidates.
Reaffirms party's devotion to the
principles of Democratic govern
ment, as formulated by Jefferson.
Declares for a tariff for revenue
only and denounces the high Re
publican tariff as the principal
cause of the unequal distribution of
wealth. .~
Favors immediate downward re
vision OF present duties, especially
upon n'ecessarieS of life. FavOrS
gradual reduction, so as not to in
terfere, with or destroy legitimate
industries.
DenOunces President Taft for We
toing tariff bills of last Congress.
Condemns Republican party for
failure to redeem its promises Of
1903 for rownward revision"
Takes issue with the Republican
platform to the high cost of living,
it is largely due to high
tariff laws.
FavOrs vigorous enforcement of
The original features of the anti
rust law ..-s.
FavOrs such legislation as may be
necessary to crush private monopo-
les.
Favors prohibition of holding
companies, interlocking directors,
etc. Condemns Republican
administration for compromising
With the Standard Oil Company and
he tobacco trust"
Denounces as ''usurpatlon" the eff
orts of Republicans to deprive
states of their rights and to enlarge
covers of the Federal government.
There is" says the platform, mo
Wright zone between the Nation ,
nd the State in which exploiting
interests can take refuge from both.
Urges people to support proposed
institutional amendments pending r
4 various State legislatures, provid- /
lg for an income tax and election 7
United States senators by direct ,
ote of the people. AS justification !.
f the demands of the party for pub .
city Of campaign expenditures, at !.
1ntion is directed "to the enormous h
Expenditures Of money in behalf Df y.
1e President and his predecessor in !,
le recent presidential contests" &
Declares for presidential prefer +.
nee primaries.
Directs national committee to pro- i
de for selection at primaries OF n
embers of national committee. 81
Pledges party to enactment of law .,
campaign contributions =,