Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1912-07-05

anty against their falling into the hands
Of monopolizing corporations, associations
or interests. F--.
We rejoice in the inheritance of mineral
resources unequalled in extent, variety
or value, and in the development or a
mining industry unequalled in its mag
nitude and Importance. We honor the
men who, in their hazardous toll under
ground, daily risk their lives in extract
ing and preparing for our use the prod
ucts of the mine, so essential to the in
dustries, the commerce and the comfort
of the people of this country. And we
pledge our party to the extension of the
work of the bureau of mines in every
way appropriate for national legislation
with a view of safeguarding the lives
of the miners, lessening the waste Of
essential resources, and promoting the
economic development of mining, which.
along with agriculture, must in the flu
ture, even more than in the past, serve
as the very foundation of our national
prosperity and welfare and our inter
national commerce.
AGRICULTURE.
We believe in encouraging the Develop
ment of a modern system of agriculture
and a systematic effort to improve the
conditions of trade in farm products
so as to benefit both the consumers
anu pTOuuCcTS. anu dS oil GAAlCACAAN AlCdhS
to this end, we favor the enactment
by congress of legislation that will sup
press the pernicious practice of gambling
in agricultural products by organized ex-
changes or others.
MERCHANT MARINE.
We believe in fostering by constitution
al regulation of commerce the growth
Of a merchant marine, which shall de-
velop and strengthen the commercial ties
which bind us to our sister republics of
the south, but without imposing addition
al burdens upon the people and without
bounties or subsidies from the public
treasury. We urge upon congress the
speedy enactment of laws for the greater
security of life and property at sea, and
we favor the repeal OF all laws and
the abrogation of so much of our treaties
with other nations, as provide for the ar
rest and Imprisonment of seamen charged
with desertion or with violation Of
their contract of service. Such laws and
treaties are un-American and violate the
spirit If not the letter, of the constitution
Of the United States.
We favor the exemption from tolls of
American ships engaged in coastwise
trade passing through the Panama
canal.
We also favor legislation forbidding
the use of the Panama canal by ships
owned Tor controlled by railroad carriers
engaged in transportation competitive
with the canal.
PURE FOOD AND PUBLIC HEALTH.
We reaffirm our previous declarations
advocating the union and strengthen
ing of the various governmental agen-
cies relating to pure foods, quarantine,
vital statistics and human health Thus
united and administered without par
TALLY to or discrimination against any
school of medicine or system of heal
ing, they would constitute a single
health service, not subordinated to any
commercial or financial interests, but
devoted exclusively to the conservation
Of human life and efficiency.
Moreover, this health service should
cooperate with the health agencies of
our various states and cities without
interference with their vprerogatives or
with the freedomyof individuals to en-
ploy such medical or hygienic aid as
they may see fit.
CIVIL SERVICE LAW.
The law pertaining to the civil service
should be honestly and rigidly enforced,
to the end that merit and ability shall
be the standard of appointment and pro-
motion, rather than service rendered to
a political party; and we favor a reor-
ganization Of the civil service with ade-
quate compensation commensurate with
the class of work performed, for all of
ficers and employees; we also favor the
extension to all classes of civil service
employees of the benefits of the provis-
ions of the employers liability law;
we also recognize the right of direct
petition to congress by employees for
the redress of grievances.
LAW REFORM
tI,o
form in the administration of civil and
criminal laws in the United States, and
we recommend the enactment Of such
legislation and the promotion of such
measures as will rid the present legal
system Of the delays, expense and uncer-
tainties incident to the system as now
administered.
THE PHILIPPINES
We reaffiFm the position thrice an
nounced by the Democracy in national
convention assembled against a, policy OF
Imperialism and colonial exploitation in
the Philippines or elsewhere. We con-
denim the experiment in Imperialism as
an inexcusable blunder which has in
volved us in enormous expense, brought
us weakness instead of strength, and
laid our nation open to the charge. of
abandonment of the fundamental doctrine
of self-government. We favor an i'm
mediate declaration of the nations pur-
pose to recognize the independence of the
Philippine islands as soon as a stable
government can be established, such in
dependence to be guaranteed by as until
the naturalization of the islands can be
secured by treaty with other powers
In recognizing the independence of the
Philippines, our government should re-
tain such land as may be necessary for
coaling stations and naval bases.
ARIZONA AND NEW MEXICO.
We welcome Arizona and New Mexico
to the sisterhood of states and heartily
congratulate them upon their suspicious
beginning of great and glorious careers.
ALASKA.
We demand for the people of Alaska
the full enjoyment of the rights and
privileges of aterritorial form of gov
eminent and we believe that the, offs
Gals appointed to administer the gov
eminent of all our territories and the
District of Columbia should be qualified
by previous bona fde residence.
THE RUSSIAN TREATY.
We commend the patriotism of the
Democratic members Of the senate and
house Of representatives which compelled
the termination of the Russian treaty OF
1892 and we pledge ourselves anew to
preserve the sacred rights of American
citizenship at home and abroad.
No treaty should receive the sane
ton of our government which does not
aoua1itv 0f all orr Citi-