Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1912-07-04


| determine ton to be equal to 1t. We con-
! demn the Democratic party for its fail
ure either to provide funds for the contin-
/ uance of this board or to make some
! other provision for securing the Informal
! ton requisite for intelligent tariff leglsla-
ton. We protest against the democratic
! method of legislating on these vitality i'm
poriant subjects without careful investi-
cation.
We condemn the democratic tariff bills
passed by the House of Representatives.
of the Sixty-second Congress as sectional,
as injurious to the public credit. and as
destructive of business enterprises
COST or LIVING
The steadily increasing cost of living has
become matter not only of national but
of world concern. The fact that It Is
not due to the protective tariff system Is
| evidenced by the existence of similar con-
ditions in countries which have tariff
/ policy different from our own. as well as
by the fact that the cost Of living has in
creased while rates Of duty have remained
stationary or been reduced. The Republic
can party will support a prompt scientific
| inquiry into the causes which are opera
tive, both in the United States and else
where, to increase the cost of living. Whom
the exact facts are known, it will take
the necessary steps to remove any abuses
that may be found to exist in order that
of the people may in no way be unduly or
| artificialy increased.
BANKING AND CURRENCY.
The Republican party has always stood
for n sound currency and for safe banking
methods. 1t is responsible for the re-
sumption of specie payments. and for the
establishment of the gold standard. 1t is
committed to the progressive development
of our banking and currency systems.
| Our banking arrangements to-day need
further revision to meet the requirements
| OF current conditions. We need measures
which will prevent the recurrence of
! money panics and financial disturbances
and which will promote the prosperity Of
| business and the welfare of labor by pro-
ducng constant employment. We need
better currency facilities for the move
ments under American auspices for the
encouragement and better conduct of our
foreign trade. In attaining these ends,
! ;,
whether organized under national or State
charters. must he carefully protected and
our banking and currency system must be
safeguarded from any possibility of domi-
nation by sectional. financial, or political
interests.
1t Is of great Importance to the social
and economic welfare of this country that
its farmers have facilities for borrowing
easily and cheaply the money they need
to increase the productivity of their land.
1t is as important that financial machin-
cry be provided to supply the Vmand Of
farmers for credit as it Is that the bank
ing and currency systems he reformed in
the interests of general business. There
fore. we recommend and urge an authori-
tative investigation of agricultural credit
societies and corporations in other coun-
tries. and the passage of State ana fed
eral laws for the establishment and capa =
bic supervision Of organizations having
for their purpose the loaning of funds to
farmers.
THE CIVIL SERVICE.
Wo reaf1irm our adherence to the prin-
ciple OF appointment to public Office based
on proved fitness. and tenure during good
behavior and efficiency. The Republican
party stands committed to the mainte-
nance. extension. and enforcement of the
civil service law, and it tavors the passage
Of lesislat ton empowering the president to
extend the competitive service as far as
possible, the equitable retirement of dis
abled and superannuated members of the
civil service, In order that a higher order
OF efficiency may be maintained.
We favor the amendment of the federal
employees liability law so as to extend its
provision to all government employees, as
well as to provide more liberal scale Of
compensation for injury and death.
CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS.
We favor such additional legislation as
may be necessary more effectually to pro-
hibit corporations from contributing
funds, directly or indirectly. to campaigns
for the nomination or election of the pres
dent. the vice-presldent, senators. and
representatives in Congress. We heartily
approve the recent act of Congress requir-
ing the fullest publicity in regard to all
campaign contributions. whether made in
connection with primaries. conventions,
or elections.
CONSERVATION POLICY
We rejoice In the success of the distinc-
tive republican policy of the conscrva-
tion of our national resources for their
use by the people without waste and with
out monopoly. We pledge ourselves to a
continuance of such policy.
We favor such fair and reasonable rules
and regulations as will not discourage or
interfere with actual bona fide home
seekers, prospectors, and miners in the
acquisition OF public lands under existing
laws,
PARCELS POST
In the interest OF the general public, and
particularly of the agricultural or rural
communities. we favor legislation looking
TO the establishment under proper regu-
lations. Of a parcels post, the postal rates
to be graduated under a zone system In
proportion to the length OF carriage.
PROTECTION OF CITIZENSHIP.
We approve the action taken by the
President and the Congress to secure with
Russia, as with other countries, a treaty
that will recognize the absolute right OF
expatriation, and that will prevent all dis