The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1912-07-06
THE DEMOCRATIC PLATFORM.

: 4
tiaI Primaries, Income Tax, Elec-
ton of Senators, Single Term for
President, Criminal Prosecution
of Trusts, Parcels Post System
Federal Control of the Missis-
sippi, Etc, Etc.
An Associated Press despatch from
Baltimore. dated June %, which we
copy from the New Orleans Times
Democrat, describes and summarize
the platform prepared by the COM
nittee on resolutions of the Demo
cratic national convention as follows.
Bristling with Democratic progress
sivism, the platform on which the
Democratic party will stand during
the approaching campaign was COM
pleted late today by the committee
On resolutions, and awaits only the aE-
proval Of the presidential nominee to
be presented to the convention.
The document is the result OF forty
eight hours of elaboration on the
part OF the committee. 1t is an al
most entirely new document, although
the recommendations of the New
York delegation were followed in
many particulars.
From first to last, the committees
deliberations were characterized by
| he utmost harmony. The unanimous
| demand was for the most pronounced
declarations in favor of progressive
policies, and the only differences oil
oninion arose over the best method
| Of expressing this tendency.
The result is a platform Of gener-
| ally advanced views, although mans
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 during
| the last four years. None of them
| Is presented deliberately, but the large
number Of subjects renders it some
what voluminous. One member said
chat it was "as long as clothes
line,'' and another that it extends
| from Maine to California.
4 The members of the committee ex-
pressed general satisfaction with the
outcome of their work, and Mr.. Bry-
! an, who took most active part III
framing the paper, made the predlc.
/ ton that it would arouse the disap-
GrovaI Of not to exceed a dozen mem
| Ders of the convention.
/ Under the new rule adopted, the
1 platform will not be presented to the
| convention until after the non1lna
4 lion Of the candidates.
/ Planks of the Democratic platform
summarized, are as follows:
| Reaffirms party's devotion to the
1 principles of Democratic government
/ as formulated by jefferson.
4 Declares for a tariff for revenue
j only and denounces the. high Re
i publican tariff as the principal cause
Iof the unequal distribution of wealth.,
i F'aYoTs Immediate downward reYl
i sion of present duties, especially up
in necessaries of life. FaVors grad
ual reduction SO as not to Interfere
I with Or destroy legitimate industries
d Denounees PRESIDENT Taft for veto
ing tariff bills of last congress. Con
dennis Republican party for failure
TO redeem its promises of 1908 To-
downward revision
Takes issue with the Republican
: platform as to the. high cost OF living
3ontending lis largely due to higl
tariff laws.
Z F'ayors vigorous enforcement o
Lile original features of the anti
trust law. Demands such additiona
/. legislation as may be necessary e
s crush private MONOPOLY.
i Favors prohibition Of holding com
!, ganies, interloeking directors, water
ing, etc Condemns Republican ad
! nlinistration for compromising witt
i Standard Oil Company and tobacc'
trust.
Denounces as .usarpation" the ct
: forts Of Republicans to deprive state
of their rights and To enlarge. power
: Of the federal government.
/ There is, says the platform, M
Z twilight zone between the natiol
: and the state IN which exploiting in
{ terests can take refuge from both.
i Urges people to support propose,
5 constitutional amendments, pendin
J, Il various state legislatures, proyid
: ing for an income tax and election Q
I United States senators by direct Vot
! CT the people. AS Justification o
I the demands Of the party for publicit
! Of campaign expenditures, attentio1
6 is directed ito the enormous ez
{ penditures of money i'll behalf OF tn
president and his predecessor in tn
recent presidential contest. 2
4 Declares for presidential preferenc
{ primaries. Directs national committe
& to provide for selection at primarie
= Of members OF national committee
s Pledges party to enactment of Lax
e prohibiting campaign contributions b
. corporations and unreasonable can
], paign contributions by individuals.
/. Declares for single presidentla
e term and making president ineliglbl
. for reelection
Felieitates Democratic congress Q:
: It's record, enumerating importan
1 achievements, and pledges an AIDE
4 iuate navy.
t DeDounces Republican administrs
! -I,r .eE