Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-03-25
Gardner
The Progressive Platform
tcontinued from Page oney

human welfare enacted in the Nationa
Progressive platform, we meet as thu
representatives OF the Progressive par
ty of Maine to nominate candidates
declare principles and urge the coop
Grafton of all citizens in an effort Il
promote justice, progress and happi'
ness among the people. We hereby de-
clare our rm and unalterable purpose
to work for the advancement of the
principles here adopted until they are
enacted into law.
Protective Tariff
I'VE believe in an intelligent protec-
tive tariff constructed on sound econ
omic lines laid out by a non partisan
scientific tariff commission; a protec-
tive tariff which shall fairly measure
the difference in the pay envelope at
home and aboard: thereby equalizing
conditions for the farmer, manufacture
err. mechanic and laborer, who consti-
tute the great body of consumers, and
on whose prosperity the welfare of the
country depends. We condemn the Tn
derw God tariff law as unjust, unfair,
and. sectional and especially as dis
terminating against the interests of
agriculture. At the same time we con-
denim the Payne-Aldrich tariff law and
maintain that IL the Republican party
had kept its pledges to the people the
country would have been saved the
ether extreme now in operation.
Enforcement of Law
Believing that no Statewide law
was ever enacted to be respected in
one county and not in another, and
recognizing the fact that the prohibit
tory law has been more fagrantly null
flied than any other, we demand its
strict and impartial enforcement. The
people of Maine have twice voted this
law into their Constitution. by the
direct method, a principle of govern
ment on which the Progressive party
was founded. Re-affirning its belief
in the rule of the people, the Pro-
gressive party of Maine pledges its
candidates for office to a Statewide
enforcement Of the prohibitory law.
We advocate the submission of the
question Of national prohibition to the
people of every state in the Union.
Amendment to Constitution
g believing in the complete sovereign
sty of the people we favor an amend
ment to the Constitution, whereby the
people may directly initiate changes in
the Constitutional law.
"Re-affirming our belief in the prin-
eiple of equal suffrage. we cordially
support resolve submitting to the
people the question of extending this
right to women.
I'VE believe in a 54-hour law for
women and children and demand the
strict and uniform enforcement of the
child labor law of Maine.
We believe in federal law prohib
iting child labor
The Progressive party believes in
the conservation of humanity; that
the loss caused by industrial accidents
should be treated as a part of the
expense of industry; that employees
injured and the dependents of those
killed in such accidents should receive
reasonable compensation, without de-
lay and without litigation. Therefore
it favors the enactment OF q work
mems compensation law in harmony
with that in the most enlightened
states and countries. That such a
law should apply to all employees with
out regard to the number in our en-
pioymsnt; to all improvements OF
whatever nature, with such exceptions
only as are universally made; the
compensation to be as liberal as the
experience of other states win war;
rant: to be paid not directly by the
employers but by the state or by stock
or mutual insurance companies. This
law not to be compulsory, but employ
ers not awaiting themselves of it to be
deprived of the common law defences
of assumption of risks, contributary
negligence and fellow servant rule.
Secret Ballot
I'VE believe in a genuine secret bal
lot, of which the form in use in Mass
achusetts is at present the best ex-
ample. This has been denied repeated
ly by legislatures in Maine controlled
by both of the other parties.
I'VE believe in a law providing for
a public utilities board made up Of
disinterested experts, acting as a com.
mission OF fact instead of a court of
law
We believe in popular government,
and that officials should be in fact as
well as in name, servants of the peo-
pie. We advocate the enactment OF
laws providing for the recall of all
elective executive officials in state and
counties by the voters of the political
division which they directly serve.
we believe in the direct election of
attorney general, secretary of state,
state treasurer and commissioner of
agriculture. We also believe in abol-
fishing the governors council, this sys-
TEN OF State government mourning
needless expense. In this connection
We favor a law making the state au-
ditor. attorney general, secretary of
State, State treasurer and commission
er OF agriculture q board advisory to
the Governor with the same power now
possessed by the governors council.
Maine Development
I'VE believe in the agricultural, in
dustrial and commercial development
of Maine. and especially advocate
practical education in the schools. We
also favor the corporation of the
State government with municipalities
towards conservation and development
of the natural resources of the State.
We favor liberal appropriations for
god roads and advocate that they be
expended with the economic and conn