The commercial. (Union City, Tenn.) 190?-193?, 1912-07-12
NOTABLE FEATURES IN
THE DEMOCRATIC PLATFORM

1t4A OkW400HtrNt - ~ NAt't.
The Democratic platform adopted BY
the National Convention is the Outcome
Of two days Of careful consideration on
the part Of the committee. Although
less radical in some particulars than IN
former years, the document IS not lack
ing in advanced views. It touches upon
every subject that has been the subject
Of party discussion since the last Presi-
Dental election. Among its most inn
portant pronouncements is, Of course,
the tariff. Under this heading the plat
form declares that the Government has
no right or power under the Constitu-
ton to impose or collect tariff duties
except for the purpose.of revenue, and
demands that the collection Of such
taxes be limited TO the necessities Of
the Government.
Il declares that the Republican high
tariff is the principal cause Of the un-
equal distribution OF wealth; that it
raises the cost of the necessities Of life
to the workingman. but does not pro-
tect his product or wages.
On the subject Of the antitrust laws
the platform declares that a private
monopoly is indefensible and urges the
vigorous enforcement Of the criminal
as well as the civil law against trusts
and trust officials, along with such adj
ditional laws as may be necessary to
make it impossible for apriyate monop-
oily 10 exist in the United States.
The platform expresses regret that
the Sherman antitrust law has received
Ia Judicial construction depriving It Of
much Of its efficiency, and favors the
enactment OF legislation which will re-
store to the statute the strength Of which
| it has been deprived by such interpre-
tation.
The Republican party is condemned
for compromising with the Standard Oil
Company and the Tobacco Trust.
1t favors Presidential primaries 10 the
Estates, to the end That the people may
give expression to their preference
| ri fayors single Presidential term,
and pledges the party nominee 70 sub
scribe 70 the principle,
The platform favors an amendment
to Che Constitution providing for the
election Of United States Senators by
the people.
II denounces the profigate waste OF
the peoples money by lavish appro-
priations of recent Republican Con-
| crosses.
II fayors efficient supervision and rate
regulation Of railroads, express compa-
mics and telegraph and telephone lines
engaged ia interstate commerce.
| Il fayors such legislation as will effec-
tually prohibit the railroads, express
companies, telephone and telegraph
companies from engaging in business
which brings them into competition
with shippers.
II opposes the so-called Aldrich bill
for the establishment Of q central bank
and condemns the present method Of
depositing Government funds in few
| favored banks.
II recommends that the system Of
rural credit on other couatries be I'M
vestieated to the end that, il satisfac-
tory, it shall be adopted by this Gov
eminent. It also fayors the idea that
national banks be authorized to loan
reasonable proportion o. their funds
On real estate security.
| II pledges the Democratic party 70
the enactment Of law prohibiting any
corporation from contributing to cam
/ paien fund and any individual from
contributing any amount above rea-
sonable maximum.
| Former declarations favorable to the
conservation Of natural resources and
the development Of waterways are rear
/ frmed.
1 The platform favors national aid e