The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-08-19
FOR WHAT 10 VIRGINIA DEMO-
Gratis SrANnf

! a correspondent writes us TO inquire
for what principles the Democrats Of
Virginia stand. and what they will
advocate when they so before the peo-
pie of the Commonwealth next Novem-
her and ask that their nominees be
elevated to office.
We wish we could refer our CORE
spondcnt to written platform en-
pounding our faith. But we must con-
fess TO him that we havo grown lazy
in Virginia, and. with our overwhelm-
ing majority. we havo not thought it
worth while to declare our principles.
We have left voters to draw their own
conclusions, strong in the belief that
they would not vote for Republicans
even if they did not vote for our nomi-
nees. We have elected two Governors
since We have had regular party
convention to frame n platform, and we
have little reason to believe we shall
present Henry c. Stuart to the suffrar
OF the people on any platform other
than that he chooses personally to
adopt.
Yet this does not mean that we are
q party without principles or that
there are not policies for which we
should stand. 1t rather means that
we have taken ourselves and the vot-
crs for granted. and have let it go at
that, There are principles for which
Virginia Democrats should stand--prin-
ciples that merit the support of every
man who wants effective government
and honest administration. Hero are
some of them:
1. Virginia Democrats believe that the
duty of government is to do for all the
citizens and separate communities are
not able to do for themselves, and to do
these things economically. wisely and
ConStructively.
.. Virginia Democrats believe that
every election should DO conducted in
manner above reproach, and that in
the primary, not less than in the gen.
eral election, every voter should have
the assurance of law that his vote
turned by responsible men. whose acts
may be reviewed by. the courts.
g. Virginia Democrats believe that
tax laws framed for different indus
trial era need reformation which will
guarantee that every community. every
citizen and every class Of property
pay their just tribute to the support OF
government with the least hardship to
any citizen and any legitimate bust
ness.
A. Virginia Democrats believe that
every public servant should be Judged
by his efficiency and work and that his
compensation should be fixed specifl
cally. rather than by a scale of fees
which was introduced in a day of flnan
cial distress.
.. Virginia Democrats believe that
government owes to posterity the best
possible system of schools, fitted to
the needs and the probable nfter-life
of those who are taught, and that man
ual training, n nine months school SEES
sion md tuition in agriculture should
be available for the children of every
county and city.
6. Virginia Democrats believe that
the function of government is to help
rather than TO hinder, to reform rather
than to punish, and that the delin-
quents of the State. be they children or
adults. should be given That treatment
best calculated to restore them to So
ciety or TO protect society from them.
{. Virginia Democrats believe in con-
structivc expenditure, and stand pledged
TO devote to the public welfare the
money paid in taxes. promoting agri
culture, health. mining, fisheries and
all industrial pursuits.
S. Virginia Democrats believe in hon
csty and publicity in the public admin
stration, and Will neither counttAance
nor condone anything that keeps from
any taxpayer complete knowledge OF
the manner in which the party dis
charges it's public trust