Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1912-07-05
DEMOCRATIC PLATFORM


Baltimore, June 2S.-Bristling with
Democratic "progressivism," the plat
form on which the Democratic party
will stand was completed late Satur-
day by the committee on resolutions
and awaited only the approval of the
presidential nominee to be presented
90 the convention
The document is the result of for
ty.eight hours Of work by a commit
tee. It is almost entirely new.
From first to last the resolutions
committees deliberations were char
actenized by the utmost harmony.
The unanimous demand was for pro
bounced declarations in favor Of
progressive" policies all along the
dine and the only differences arose
over the best method of expressing
this tendency. The result is plat
form of generally advanced views,
although many OF them are less rad
gal than the party declarations of
other years.
The document covers every subject
pi Importance which has been the
subject Of party discussion for four
years. None of them is deliberately
presented, but the large number Of
subjects renders the document leng-
thy One said that it was as "long
as a clothes line," and another that
It extends from Maine to California "
Members Of the committee express
general satisfaction with the planks
and William ]. Bryan, who took an
active part in framing them, predict
ed that it would arouse the disap-
prevail OF less than a dozen members
Of the convention,
Under a new rule the platform will
not be presented to the convention
until after the nomination of the can
didates.
Platform in Brief
Reafiirms party's devotion to the
principles of Democratic government
as formulated by Jefferson.
Declares for a tariff for revenue On
ly; denounces the high Republican
tariff as the principal cause of the III
equal distribution of wealth.
Favors immediate downward revi,
sion of present duties, especially up
on necesSaries of life. Also favOrs
gradual reduction so as not to inter
fere with Or destroy legitimate indus.
tries. Denounces President Taft for
vetoing tariff bills of last congress.
Condemns Republican party fol
failure to redeem its promises OF
1908 for downward revision"
Takes issue with the Republican
platform as to the high cost of living
contending it is largely due to high
tariff laws.
Favors vigorous enforcement of thu
criminal features Of the antitrust
law. Demands such additional legis
lation as may be necessary to crush
private monopoly. Favors prohibition
OF holding cmpanies, interlcoking di
rectors, stock watering, etc.
Condemns Republican administra
ton for compromising with Standan
Oil Company and tobacco trust"
Denounces as 'usurpation" the eff
. forts of Republicans to deprive states
OF their rights and to enlarge powers
OF the federal government.
There ISL says the platform, "nC
twilight zone between the nation anG
the state in which exploiting inter
ests can take refuge from both"
Urges people to support proposed
constitutional amendments pending il
8. various state legislatures, providing
for anincome tax and election of Uni
ted States senators by direct vote Of
the people. AS justification of the
demands Of the party for publicity o.
campaign expenditures, attention Is