The Van Buren press., 1912-07-06


of their rights and to enlarge powers
of the federal government.
There is" says the platform, mo
twilight zone between the nation and
the state in which exploiting interests
can take refuge from both"
Urges people 10 support proposed
constitutional amendments pending in
various state legislatures providing for
an income tax and election of United
States senators by direct vote OF the
people. AS justification of the demands
of the party for publicity Of campaign
expenditures, attention is directed "to
the enormous expenditures of money
In behalf of the president and his pre-
.decessor in the recent presidential con.
test"
Declares for presidential preference
primaries,
Directs national committee to pro-
vide for selection at primaries of mem
bers Of national committee,
Pledges party to enactment Of law
prohibiting campaign contributions
by corporations and unreasonable cam.
paign contributions by individuals.
Favors single presidential term and
making president ineligible for re-eleH.
ton
Felicitates Democratic congress on
It's record; eurmerates important
achievements and pledges an adequate
navy.
Denounces Republican administra-
tion on charge Of extravaganza and de-
mands return to simplicity befitting a
democratic government
Fayors efficient service and regu.
laticu of railroads. express companies,
telegraph and telephone lines and a
valuation Of the companies by the
interstate commerce commission, and
also legislation against oyerissuance
Of stocks Of these corporations. In
connection with a demand for such re-
vision of the banking laws as will give
temporary relief in case Of financial
distress, there is a denunciation OF
the Aldrich bill prepared by the none
tary commission.
The present method of depositing
government funds is condemned and
the party is pledged to the enactment
of a law for the deposit Of such funds
by competitive bidding in state or ma
tional banks, without discrimination as
to locality
Recommends investigation Of agri-
cultural societies in Europe to escer-
tain whether a system of rural credits
may be devised suitable to conditions
in The United states.
Pledges party to enactment Of legis-
latiou to prevent devastation Of lower
Mississippi Valley by floods, and the
control Of the Mississippi is declared
to be a national rather than a state
problem. The maintenance Of navlga-
bic channel is also recommended,
Fayors national aid regarding post
roads. Repeats partys declaration OF
the platform Of 1908 as to rights to
labor and pledges the party to an EN-
ployes' compensation law
Declares the unnecessary withdraw.
al Of public lands tends to retard de-
yclopmont and bring reproach upon
policy Of conservation; that reserya-
tions should be limited to purposes
which they purport to serve; fayors
broadest liberality in administering
land laws; homestead entries with.
IN the national forest should be null
lifted by administrative regulations;
declares for immediate action to make
available Alaskan coal lands and safe.
guarding of lives Of miners.
Favors encouragement Of agriculture
and legislation to suppress gambling
in agricultural products,
Believes in fostering growth Of n
merchant marine and urges speedy en-
actmont Of laws for greater security
of life and property at sea.
Fayors reorganization Of the civ.'
service and SAYS law should be honest
iy and rlEidly enforced,
Recommends law reform legislation
Declares against policy Of colonial
expansion and imperialism.
Welcomes Arizona and New Mexico
to sisterhood Of states Demands for
Alaska full enjoyment Of right Of and
privileges OF territorial form Of gov.
crumont Refers 10 Russian treaty
and ronows pledge TO preserve sacred
rights 10 American citizenship at home
and abroad
Favors parcels post and extension
Of rural delivery.
Fayors such announcement as can
be properly given Panama canal ey.
position,
Commcnds 10 the states adoption Of
law making II offense 10 discriminate
against the uniform Of the United
states,
Roncws declaration Of last platform
regarding generous pension policy
Refers TO the rule OF the people and
says. "Thc Democratic party offers
itself to the country as an agency
through which the complete overthrow
and eNtripatlon OF corruption, fraud
and machine rule In American politics
can be effected"
Tho conclusion Of the platform says;
"Our platform is ono Of principles
which we believe TO be essential TO
our national welfare" and invites co.
operation OF all citizens who believe
IN maintaining unImpaIrod the lnstltu-
tlons OF our country
lanoy OF Missouri, when Democrat
can show up with thing like that"