Norwich bulletin., 1912-07-04
PLATFORM OF DEMOCRATIC PARTY
Document Adopted by Baltimore Convention On Which
 Party Bases Its Claims For Preference.

imous sentiment in favor of publicity before the election of campaign con tributions-a measure demanded in our national platform of 1908, and at that time opposed by the republican party-and we commend the democrat ic house of representatives for ex- tending the doctrine of publicity to recommendations, verbal and written, upon which presidential appointments are made, 10 the ownership and con trol of newspapers and to the eXpendi- lures made by and in behalf of those who aspire to presidential nominations and we point for additional justifica- ton for this legislation to the enor- nous expenditures of money in behalf of the president and his predecessor in the recent contest for the republi- can nomination for president.
 Presidential Primaries.
 The movement toward more popular government should be promoted through legislation in each state which will permit the expression of the pref erence of the electors for national candidates at presidential primaries. We direct that the national committee incorporate in the call for the next nominating convention a requirement. that all expressions of preference for presidential candidates shall be given and the selection of delegates and al- ternates made through a primary cleo tion conducted by the party organiza- t+On in each state where such expres- sion and election are not provided for by state law. Committeeman who are hereafter to constitute the member ship of the democratic national com mittee and whose election is not pro- vided for by law, shall be chosen in each state at such primary elections and the service and authority of com mitteemen, however chosen, shall be- gin immediately upon the receipt of their credentials respectively.
 Campaign Contributions.
 We pledge the democratic party to 1 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, and to that end urge the adoption of | an amendment to the constitution making the president of the United l States ineligible for re- election and we pledge the candidate of this convention | to this principle.
 Democratic Congress.
 1 At this time, when the republican 1 party, after a generation of unlimde ed 1 power in it's control of the federal | government. is rent into factions, it is 1 opportune to point to the record of l accomplishment of the democratic house of representatives in the sgd congress. We indorse its action and We challenge comparison of it's rec ord with that of any congress which has been controlled by our opponents l We call the attention of the patriotic citizens of our country to it's record of efficiency. economy and constructive 1 legislation.
 It has, among other achievements revised the rules of the house of rep resentatiVes so as to give to the rep resentatives of the American people freedom of speech and action in advo. eating, proposing and perfecdng rem. edail legislation. It has passed bill: for the relief of the people and the de
 Velopment of our country: it has en 1 deaVored to revise the tariff taXe downward in the interest of the con
 stunning masses, and thus to reduce tn, high cost of living. It has proposed al amendment to the federal constitution providing for the election of Unitet States senators by the direct vote O the people. It has secured the admis
 sion of Arizona and New Mexico a. two sovereign states. It has require, the publicity of campaign expense
 both before and after election and fix
 ed a limit upon the election eXpenss
 of United States senators and repre-
 sertatives. It has also passed a bil to prevent the abuse of the writ of in junction, It has passed a law estab fishing an hour day of WeFkmeh on al
 national public work. It has passed
 resolution which forced the pPesiden to take immediate steps to abrogat
 the Russian treaty. And it has pass
 ed the great supply bills which lesse
 waste and extravaganza and which re
 duce the annual expenses of the gov
 eFnment by many millions of dollars.
 We approve the measure rePerte
 by the democratic leaders in the hous
 ef representatives for the creation c
 a counsel of national defense whic will determine a definite naval pre-
 gramme with a view to increased eff
 fieieRcy and economy. The party tina
 proclaimed and has always enforce the Monroe doctrine and was spense
 fer the new navy will continue faith
 fully te observe teh constitutional re
 duireHents to provide and maintai
 an adequate and well prepoEtiene
 navy sufficient to defend American pei
 icies, protect our citizens and uphel the hcaor and dignity of the nation Republican Extravagance.
 We denounce the profigate waste (
 the money wrung from the people b oppressive taxation through the lavis ! -foff af congresses, which have kept taxe high and reduced the purchasing pow CT of the peoples toll. We demand l return to that simplicity and econ omy which bef1ts a democratic govern ment and a reduction in the numbt of useless offices, the salaries of whic drain the substance of the people. : Railroads, Express Companies, TeIc
 graph and Telephone Lines. 3 We favor the efficient supervisio ) and rate regulation of railroads, e7 7 press companies, telegraph and telt l. phone lines engaged in interstate con
 merce. To this end we recommer f the valuation of railroads, expre! ] ! companies, telegraph and telephoI % lines by the interstate commerce con g mission, such valuation to take in- I l consideration the physical value of u 3 l property, the original cost, the cost ] 1 reproduction, and any element of vall 8 that will render the valution fair ar 5 just.
 t We favor such legislation as will e 9 fectually prohibit the railroads, e1 . press. telegraph and telephone con e panies from engaging in busine f l which brings them into competitiC d with their shippers or patrons: all
 Legislation preventing the over-iss1 f of stocks and bonds by interstate raj
 roads. express companies, telegrar
 and telephone lines, and legislatic . which will assure such reduction s transportation rates as conditions "
 permit, care being taken to avoid r : duction that would compel a reductit
 of wages. prevent adequate service
 do injustice to legitimate investment a Banking Legislation.
 e We oppose the so-called AIdrich b