The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-07-03
PLATFORM ON WHICH DEMOCRATS
WILL GO BEFORE THE COUNTRY

Baltimore. July 2.-Tho full text Of
the platform adopted by the Demo-
cratic National Convention is as fol-
lows:
We the representatives OF the D.m-
ooratic party OF tho United STATES. in
national convention assembled. r.-af-
hrm our devotion to the principles OF
Democratic government formulated by
Thomas Jefferson and enforced by a
long and nlustrious line of Democratic
presidents.
TnriR reform.
We declare 1t 70 be a fundamental
principle of the Democratic party that
tho Federal government under the Con-
stltution has no right or power to I'M
pose or collect tariff duties. except TOT
the purpose of revenue. and we demanc
that the collection OF such taAes shall
be limited 70 tile necessities oi govern.
n"rt honesty and economically admin
lstered.
The high Republican tariff is the prin-
i.ui c.,nSr OF ,he unequal distribu.
ton OF wealth. IT Is a system Of taxa
ton which makes the rich richer and
the poor poorer. under its operations
the American farmer and laboring ma
are the chief sufferers: 1t raises the
cost of the necessar!es of life TO them,
but docs not protect their product or
wages. The farmer sells largely In
free markets and buys almost entirely
IN the protected markets. In the most
highly protected industries such as cot
ton and fool. steel and iron. the wages
OF the iaborers are the lowest paid
In any OF our industries. We denouncc
the Republican pretense on that sub
jest and assert that American wages
are established By competitive condi-
lions and not by the tariff
We favor tho immediate downward
revision OF the existing high and in
many cases. prohibitive tariff duties
insisting that material reductions be
speedily made upon the necessaries OF
life. Articles entering into competl-
zion with trust controlled products
and articles OF American manufacture
which are sold abroad more cheaply
than At home should be put upon the
free list.
We recognize that our system OF
70 'a@a'i0n is intimately connected
with the business OF tho country. and
we favor :he ultimate attainment OF
,,l.~ .e advocate By legis-
lation that will not injure or destroy
legitimate industry.
We denounce tho action OF Presl-
dent Taft in vetoing the bills to 70
duce the tariff in the cotton, wooden
metals and chemical schedules and the
farmers free list bill. all Of which
were designed to give immediate re-
lief to the masses from tho exactions
OF the trusts.
The Republican party. while prom
Using tariff revision. has shown by It's
tariff legislation that such revision is
no; to be in the peoples interest an6
having been faithless to its pledges
of 1908 1t should no longer enjoy tn.
confidence of the nation. We appea
to the American people TO support us
IN our demand for tariff for revenue
only.
High Cost of Living.
The high cost OF living is Il seriou.
problem in every American home. Til,
Repu blican party, in it's platform. at
tempts 10 escape from responslbilit,
for present conditions by denying thai
they are due to q protectivA tariff
We take Issue with them IN this sub
ject and charge that excessive price.
result in a large measure from the higf
tariff laws enacted and maintained by