The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-07-03

the triumph of two important reforms written in the last national platform, namely. the amendment of the federal constitution authorizing an income tax and the amendment providing for the popular election of Senators and we call upon the people of all the states to rally to the support of the bending propositions and secure their ratifica- tion. VT - We note with qualification the un- an1mous sentiment in favor of pub licity, before the election, of campaign contrloutlons-a measure demanded in our national platform of 1908, and at that time opposed by the Republican party-and we commend the Demo- cratic House of Representatives for extending the doctrine of publicity to recommendations. verbal and written upon which presidential appointments are made, to the ownership and con- troI or newspapers and to the expendi- lures made by and in behalf of those who aspire to presidential nominations and we point for additional iustifica- tion of this legislation to the enor- nous expenditures Of money in be- decesssor in the recent presidential contest for the Republican nomination for President 4
 PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARIES
 The movement towards more popu- lar government should be promoted through legislation in each state which will permit the expression of the preference of the electors for na- tional candidates at presidential pri- marieS.
 We. direct that the national commit tee incorporate in the call for the next nominating convention a requirement. that all expression of preference for presidential candidates should be giv- en and the selection of delegates and alternates made through a primary election conducted by the party or ganiZation in each state where such expression and election are not pro- Vided for by state law Committee men who are hereafter to constitute the membership of the Democratic na-' tionaf committee and whose elections is not provided for by law shall be chosen in each state at such primary elections and the service and author. ity or committee eemen.. however chosen, shall begin immediately upon the re-. ceipt of their credentials respectively
 CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS : We pledge the Democratic party. to the enactment of a law prohibiting any corporation from contributing to a campaign fund and any individual from contributing any amount above a reasonable maximum.
 TERM OF PRESIDENT
 We favor a single presidential term
 
 of an amendment to the constitution making the President of the United States ineligible to reelection and we pledge the candidate of this eonven- tion to this principle
 DEMOCRATIC CONGRESS.
 At this time, when the Republican party, after a generation of unlimited power in it's control of the federal gov ernment, is rent in two factions. it is opportune to point to the record of accomplishment of the Democratic House of Representatives in the 62d Congress We endorse it's action and we challenge comparison of it's rec ord with that of any Congress which has been controlled bys our opponents
 We call the attention of the pa- triotic citizens of Our country to it's record of efficiency, economy and con structive legislation
 It has, among other achievements revised the rules of the House of Rep resentarves so as to give to the rep resentatives of the American people the freedom Of speech and action in advocating, proposing and perfecting remedial legislation. It has passed the bills for the relief of the people and the development of our country, it has endeavored to revise the tariff taxes downward in the interest of the consuming masses and thus to reduce the high cost of living.
 It has proposed an amendment to the federal constitutions providing for the election of United States Senators by the direct vote of the people. It has secured the admission of Arizona and New Mexico as two sovereign States.
 It has required the publicity of cam pafgn expenses both before and after election and fixed a limit upon the election expenses of United States Senators and Representatives.
 It has passed a bill to prevent the abuse of the writ of injunction
 It has passed a law establishing an eight hour day for workmen on all national public work.
 It has passed a resolution which forced the President to take immediate steps to abrogate the Russian treaty
 And it has passed the great supply bills which lessen waste and extrava--I gance and which reduce the annual expenses of the government by many millions of dollars.
 We approve the measure reported by the Democratic leaders in the House of Representatives for the cre- ation of council of national defense which will determine definite naval program with a view to increased ef- ficiency and economy. The party that proclaimed and has always enforced the Monroe Doctrine and was sponsor for the new navy, will continue faith fully to observe the constitutional re- quirements to provide and maintain an adequate and well proportioned navy sufficient to defend American policies, protect our citizens and up hold the honor and dignity of the na- ton.
 REPUBLICAN, ExTRAvAGANCE
 We denounce the profligate waste of money wrung from the people by oppressive taxation through the lav- ish appropriations of recent Republi- can Congresses which have kept taxes high and reduced the purchasing pow CT of the peoples to it. We demand g. return to that simplicity and econ omy which befits a Democratic gov ernment and reduction in the num- Der of useless offices, the salaries of which drain the substances of the peo- pie.
 RAILROADS, EXPRESS CONTAIN
 LES, TELEGRAPH AND TELE-
 PHONE LINES. @
 We favor the efficient supervision and regulation of railroads, express companies, telegraph and telephone lines engaged in interstate commerce. To this we recommend the valuation of railroads, express companies, tele-