Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1912-10-02

. 1sRENTON, Oct. 2~.-FoIlowing is
tie platform adopted by the Demo-
Gratis in State convention here yes
terday:
"The Democratic party, in conven-
ton assembled, pledges itself to the
continuance of these policies, and to
THAT end, we propose, during the COM
Ing year, to set ourselves to the ac-
eomplishnent of tho following OBJ
,jects:
<"1. We believe in upbolding, in all
Its .Evigor, the fundamental principle
OF The direct primary act, better
known as the Geran law, and we
pledge ourselves to oppose and If pos
sible to prevent, the passage of any
act which shall in any way tend to
impair its efficiency in operation.
90. We favor the election of United
States Senators by a direct vote of
the people, and we pledge ourselves
20 the support Of the pending amend
mept to the Federal Constitution to
that effect.
c'3. We believe in the speedy ad-
sninistration of the criminal laws of
the State and the separation from
politics of the instrumentalities for
drawing petit and grand juries, so
that the possibility of political and
other improper influence shall be
speedily eliminated.
a. Where certain very. important
reforms advocated by earnest bodies
of citizens cannot be effected in this
State without Constitutional amend
mcnt. therefore, we favor the cleo
ton by popular vote, under such regu-
~latlons as may be provided by the
gislature, of a convention for the
Tideration of all needful amend
Is ssits to the Constitution of the State,
=. Publicity Is Favored.
20. The corrupt practises act, passed
during the first year of Governor Will
sons term, designed to eliminate the
/ purchasing power of money In poll
tics, we intend to maintain In all Its
yigor, believing that the freedom OF
the voter in exercising his suffrage
should be a matter of careful regula-
ton, and that the utmost publicity
concerning campaign expenses, to-
getfcr with a speedy and accurate
accounting after all primaries and
elections, will tend to minimize the
possibility of corrupting influences
and render the contest for office as
free as possible under existing pol:t-
cal conditions.
lN"6. AS a means of securing the use
public buildings to the people re-
onsible for their existence. and to
lessen the increasing cost of elections,
we recommend the use of school
houses and public buildings for po-
litical and other neighborhood and
public meetings, as well as for cleo
tions, under proper local regulation.
81. For the purpose of securing to
the citizens of the various municipal
tiles within the State the power to
govern themselves we are in favor OF
such laws as will give them the right
to enjoy the greatest home rule pos
siple in all matters affecting their
local governments.
49,. We call the attention of the peo-
pie of. this State to the enactment OF
the laws passed during the session
of. 1912, which laws tend to the sim-
/ p~lification of civil procedure in our
law courts. We believe that after a
flair trial of these measures the criti-
cism made against the courts delays
will disappear, and hat the expen-
siveness of litigation will be mini
mized; that technicalities will nc
longer be permitted to stand in the
way Of justice and of the merits OF
controversies.
Would Revise Tax system.
II 70. We pledge our party to the es-
Establishment and extension of the
agricultural and forestry schools in
rural sections, and to the continu-
snce of the industrial and vocational
schools in the cities.
10. We believe / n the immediate
reimbursement Of our system of taxa
tim. and to that end favor such
changes in our laws In reard to this
matter as will provide a more salts
factory means of assessing and equal
izing taxes.
81. We believe hat our present
corporation act has been used as ar
instrument to create conditions which
Fave resulted injuriously to the pub
nc. We favor an immediate investi.
N<ation of the method of incorporation
pursued IN this State under our laws
and we pledge u party to the en-
actr1ent of such salutsry checks upor
incorporation and increase Of capita
and merger Of corporations as Will
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