Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1912-11-01

the abrogation of so much of our
treaties with other nations, az provide
for the arrest and Imprisonment Of
seamen charged with desertion, or
with violation Of their contract of
service.
Such laws and treaties are un.
American and violate the spirit, II not
the letter, OF the Constitution of the
United States.
We favor the exemption from tolls
Of American ships engaged in coast.
wise trade passing through the Pan
ANA canal
We also favor legislation forbidding
the use of the Panama canal by ships
owned or controlled by railroad car
rers engaged in transportation COM
petitive with the canal.
Pure Food and Public Health.
We reaffirm our previous declara-
tons advocating the union and
strengthening of the various govern
mental agencies relating to pure
foods, quarantine, vital statistics and
human health. Thus united and ad-
ministered without Partially to or
discrimination against any school of
medicine or system Of healing, they
would constitute single health serv-
ice, not subordinated to any CONNER
cial or financial interests, but devot-
ed exclusively to the conservation OF
human life and efficiency. Moreover,
this health service should cooperate
with the health agencies of our vart-
GUS states and cities, without inter-
ference with their prerogatives or
with the freedom OF individuals to
employ such medical or hygienic aid
Is they may see fit.
Civil Service Law.
The law pertaining to the civil serv.
Ice should be honestly and rigidly en-
forced to the end that merit and abil-
ity should be the standard of appoint
ment and promotion rather than serv-
ice rendered to . political party, and
we favor a reorganization Of the civil
service with adequate compensation
commensurate with the class of work
performed for all officers and en-
ployes; we also favor the extension
to all classes of civil service employees
of the benefits of the provisions Of
the employers liability law: We also
recognize the right of direct petition
to congress by employees for the r.
dress Of grievances.
Law Reform.
We recognize the urgent need OF
To- "a ,ic$r ~ frf1
and criminal law in the United States
and we recommend the enactment Of
such legislation and the promotion Of
such measures as will rid the present
legal system Of the delays, expense
and uncertainties incident to the syS-
tenn a. now administered.
The Philippines.
We reafirm the position thrice An
nounced by the Democracy in national
convention assembled against a policy
OF Imperialism and colonial exploita-
ton in the Philippines or elsewhere.
We condemn the experiment in i'm
perialism as an inexcusable blunder
which has involved us in enormous
expense, brought us weakness instead
OF strength and laid our nation open
to the charge Of abandonment Of the
fundamental doctrine Of self-govern-
ment. We favor an immediate decla-
ration Of the nations purpose to rec
ognize the independence Of the Phil
ippine islands as soon as stable gov
eminent can be established, such in
dependence to be guaranteed by US
until the naturalization of the islands
can be secured by treaty with other
powers. In recognizing the independ-
ence Of the Philippines, our govern
ment should retain such land as may
be necessary for coaling stations and
naval bases.
Arizona and New Mexico.
We welcome Arizona and New Mex
leo to the sisterhood of states and
heartily congratulate them upon their
suspicious beginning Of great and
glorious careers.
Alaska
We demand for the people Of Alas
ka the full enjoyment of the rights
and privileges Of territorial form OF
government, and we believe that the
officials appointed to administer the
government Of all our territories and
the District OF Columbia should be
qualified by previous bonaf1de resi-
dence.
The Russian Treaty.
We commend the patriotism OF the
Democratic members of the Senate
and House of Representatives which
compelled the termination of the Rus
sian treaty Of 1882. and we pledge
ourselves anew to preserve the sacred
rights Of American citizenship at
home and broad. No treaty should re-
ceive the sanction Of our government
which does not recognize that equal
ity of all Of our citizens. irrespective
of race or creed, and which does not
expressly guarantee the fundamental
right Of expatriation.
The constitutional rights Of Amert'
can citizens should protect them on
our borders and go with them through.
out the world and every American citl-
zen residing or having property in
any foreign country is entitled to and
must be given the full protection OF
the United States government, both
for himself and his property. /:
Parcels Post and Rural Delivery.
We favor the establishment OF q
parcels post or postal express and also
the extension of the rural delivery
system as rapidly as practicable.
Panama Canal Exposition.
We hereby express our deep inter
est in the great Panama Canal Expo
aifion 70 ho hald in San Francisco In