The Progressive West Virginian. [volume] (Williamson, W. Va.) 1911-1913, 1912-07-11

American and violate the spirit. II NOT
the letter. of the Constitution Of the
United States. Il
We favor the exemption from tolls
| Of American ships engaged in coast.
wise trade passing through the Pan.
anna canal.
| We also favor legislation forbidding
the use of the Panama canal by ships
owned or controlled by railroad car
riers engaged in transportation com
petitive with the canal
Pure Food and public Health.
We reafarm 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 witnout 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 vari-
GUS states and cities, without inter
ference with their prerogatives or
with the freedom OF individuals to
employ such medical or hygienic aid
as they may see fit.
Civil Service Law.
sThe 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 re-
dress OF grievances
Law Reform.
We recognize the urgent need OF
reform in the administration Of civil
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 as now administered.
The Philippines.
We reaffirm the position thrice an
nounced by the Democracy in national
convention assembled against 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 a 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.
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. 800
. The constitutional rights OF Ameri-
can citizens should protect them on
our borders and 60 with them through
out the world and every American citi-
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
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
sition to be held in San Francisco In
1915, and favor such encouragement
as can be properly given
Protection OF National Uniform.
We commend to the several states
the adoption Of a law making it an I
offense for the proprietors Of places
OF. public amusement and entertain
ment to discriminate against the uni
form of the United States similar to
the Law passed by Congress applica-
BILE to the District of Columbia and
the territories In 1911.
Pensions.
We renew the declaration Of our
last platform relating to generous
pension policy.
Rule of the People.
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