The Progressive West Virginian. [volume] (Williamson, W. Va.) 1911-1913, 1912-08-01

$500 - ~ e1uulAAlSlGI JuStlC6 between
litigants without fear or favor. But
many of our court proceedings are too
& complicated and costs, expense, and
4 delays Of legal contests have become
| burdensome.
Il The right of the person to guard his
own property can not be denied, but
no guard system should be allowed
to supersede the power and duty of
the state to see that needlessly severe
methods be not used against citizens,
and that private employees under the
authority of the state be not auto
cratinc or arbitrary
Convict Labor.
The manufacture of common articles
of commerce by convict labor, at low
wages, within the penitentiary, does
not provide employment for the con-
victs under the best conditions or pro-
duce lower prices to the consuming
public, while it subjects outside labor
and capital to unfair competition. We
are opposed to the present system OF
convict labor in this state, and favor
abolishing same and using said con.
Wet labor In the construction of good
roads system of this state and in such
other lines of work as will not COM
pete with the labor of this state.
Better Roads.
The crying need of this state is bet
ter roads, but in many sections local
resources are inadequate to put into
execution any comprehensive system.
We favor national aid for good roads,
| and hereby promise to make every en-
deavor to meet the requirements of
any bill passed by congress to aid the
states in this work; and we pledge
the people to put into operation COM
prehensive road system to the extent
of the states ability and to join with
the national government in any just
Plan that be offered for national road
system.
Sound Educational System.
Public education, non-oplitical and
non-sectarian, but broad and sound, is
an absolute necessity in self-govern-
ing state.
Regardless of the form OF govern
ment or the political administration
under which this idea Of education
manifested itself, we recognize in 1t
the true Democratic spirit and pledge
to it our hearty approval and liberal
support, and to the cause of educa-
ton in general we pledge the hearty
support of our party.
Agricultural Development.
The agricultural and horticultural
interests in this state are of the first
Importance, and their proper devel-
opment should engage the best efforts
of our people, and we favor such ap-
preparations for our agricultural de-
partment as will enable it to render
all possible aid in the development
of these two important industries and
the advancement of rural life, and we
favor law which will make it impos-
sible to place on sale in this state
seed, grain, grass seed and horticul-
tural supplies that are adulterated or
misrepresented.
Favor Anti-Injunction Bill.
We endorse the action of the ma
tional convention in its endorsement
of the Clayton anti-injunction bill and
pledge ourselves to the enactment of
a similar law for the state of West
Virginia. We favor trial by jury
in cases Of indirect contempt.
impeachment Of Judges.
The independence of the judiciary,
Its purity and it's honor are like nee
essary in republic. But judges
should not be autocrats and it is well /
known that some of them forget their |
high station and become biased, neg
lectful and careless, and others lose
the confidence Of the people by prac-
tees not always sufficient to justify |
proceedings, even where |
these practices can be proved. We,
therefore, favor a modification Of the
law regarding the removal of judges,
and an enlargement of the grounds
of such removal.
Post-EIection Senatorial Primary.
We endorse the action of our state
committee, which was ratified by the
Parkersburg convention, in providing
for post-election primary, we pledge
all Democratic members of the Legis-
lature of West Virginia to ratify the
preference expressed in said primary
for the selection of United States
senator's
Favor income Tax
Whereas the Legislature of this
state has failed to ratify the amend
ment to the Federal Constitution, pro-
viding for an income tax, we depre-
ciate such action and we demand that
at its next session 1t reconsider its
former action and ratify same; also
ratify the amendment now pending
for the election of senators by direct
vote of the people.
The Virginia Debt.
We denounce the course pursued by
the Republican party in the manage
ment of the Virginia Debt case and
we heartily endorse the pledge of our
representatives in congress to adjust
that question and pledge the nominees
of this convention to cooperate with
them to that end and we pledge the
Democratic party to take steps as soon
as practicable looking to the most IA
vorable adjustment of said question
possible.
Upon these declarations of princi.