The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1912-07-27

fed by administrative regulations
"h'ch amount to a withdrawal OF
great areas OF tie senate from settle.
nent.
Immediate action should be taken
oy congress to make available the
vast and valuable coal deposits ol
Alaska under conditions that will be
perfect guaranty against their faif.
Ing into the hands Of mohopolis{nH
corporations, associations or intarL
ests.
We rejoice IN the inheritance OF
mineral resources uneuueled in AZ.
tent variety or value, and In the de-
velopment OF mining industry un-
eQualed in It's magnitude and impor~
lance. We honor the men who, In
their hazardous toll underground.
daily risk their lives In extracting and
preparing for our use the products of
the mine. SO essential to the indus
tries, the commerce and the comfort
OF the people Of this country. And
we pledge ourselves to the extension
OF the work Of the bureau OF mines
IN every way appropriate for national
legislation with view of safeguard.
Ing the lives Of the miners, lessening
the waste Of essential resources, and
protecting the economical develop
ment OF mtnin: which, along with
agriculture, must In the future. even
more than In the past, serve as the
very foundation Of our national pros.
pertty and welfare and our interna.
uonal commerce.
Agriculture.
We believe In encouraging the de-
velopment Of a modern system of
agriculture and a systematic effort to
improve the conditions of trade in
farm products so as to benefit both
the consumers and producers. And
as an efficient means to this end. we
favor the enactment by congress of
legislation that will suppress the Der.
nioious practice of gambling in agr1-
cultural products by organized ex.
changes or others.
Merchant Marine.
We believe in fostering, by consti.
tuttona regulation of commerce., the
growth Of merchant marine, which
shall develop and strengthen the com.
mercial ties which bind us to our sis
ter republics Of the south, but with.
out imposing additional burdens upon
the people and without bountias or
subsidies from the public treasury.
We urge upon congress- the speedy
enactment OF laws for the greater 60
curtty OF Life and property at sea, and
we favor the repeal Of all laws, and
the abrogation Of so much o. our
treaties with other nations, as provide
for the arrest and Imprisonment of
seamen charged with desertion, or
with violation Of their contract of
service.
Such laws and treaties are un.
American and violate the spirit, II not
the letter, Of the Constitution OF the
United States.
We favor the exemption from tolls
OF American ships engaged in coast.
wise trade passing through the Pan.
anna canal.
We also favor legislation forbiddins
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 reaftlrm 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 without partiaiity 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 OF
with the freedom Of individuals to
employ such medical or hygienic aid
as they may see fit.
Civil Service Law.
Tho 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 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 atso
recognize the right Of direct petition
TO congress by employees for the re-
dress Of grievances