The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1914-09-24
THE EVENING BANNER
Bennington, VI.
BENNINGTON, VT, SEPT. "a. 1914
PROGRESSIVE PLATFORM
Declaration of Principles Adopted al
Burlington Convention

ed at the progressive state conven-
ton held at Burlington September
IL
The Progressive party of Vermont
hereby makes declaration of the prin-
ciples for which it stands, defines the
issues upon which it believes the
coming state campaign should be
pie of Vermont to carry into effect,
if entrusted with the power, the
pledges herein made
1--WE affirm our belief in the princi-
plies enunciated by the national Pro
gressiye platform of 1912. We here
recognize and appreciate the sincere
devotion and able leadership of that
fearless tribute of the people, Theo-
dore Roosevelt.
while believing in the principles
of reasonable protection of industry
and labor against pauperizing foreign
| competition. we advocate the estab-
| lishment of non-partisan expert
tariff commission Such a commits
sion should so regulate the tariff as
! to afford fair and equal treatment to
all, avoid sectional prejudices and Ia
! yoritism and prevent the develop
ment of the oppressive monopoly
whose active connection with politics
in the days of Republican power,
formed a serious menace to popular
government.
"ln order that the people of the
United States as a whole may decide
on national policy as to this traffic,
we favor the passage of the joint
| resolution now before Congress pro-
| viding for the submission of a consti-
tutional amendment prohibiting the
traffic in intoxicating liquors to the
several states for adoption or for re-
| lection
In order that the people of the
United States as a whole may decide
on a national policy as to this traffic,
we favor the passage OF the joint
resolution now before Congress pro-
yiding for the submission of a consti-
tutional amendment prohibiting the
traffic in intoxicating liquors to the
several states for adoption or for re
lection.
In control OF the affairs of this
state is an invisible government OF
political bosses, the agents of great
interests. To break up Their alliance
with the Republican party, destroy
this invisible government. and re
store the control of the state TO the
people and return to the republican
ism of Abraham Lincoln is the civic
duty of every free and Independent
citizen of the state.
Through the agency of this Re-
publican machine platforms had been
adopted and promises made only to
be ignored and broken. The people
have been repeatedly promised a di-
rect primary law, the economy OF
state expenses. the relief from unjust
burdens Of taxation and better laws
looking to fuller measures of social
and economic Justice These promis-
es have been brazenly ignored.
1--WE pledge our party to work for
simple, direct primary law. for
state and national elective officers. to
be free Of all narrow partisan restric-
tons upon the expression of the popu
lar choice.
I'VE demand a rigid corrupt prac-
tees law which shall define the pur-
pose for which money can be spent
in any election or primary. limit the
total expenditure, and prescribe prop
er penalties for violation. Also
law for publicity of campaign expens-
es before and after election with
severe penalties foc violation.
I'VE demand elimination of all par
~ designations upon ballots for vii
lagc. towns, and city officers.
I'VE favor the principles OF a short
ballot and the highest standard of
executive responsibility and that the
names Of each candidate voted for be
marked as in the real Australian bal
LOT
I'VE demand that the next SEES
sion of the legislature enact law
which shall give to women the right
TO vote so far as not prohibited by
the constitution and such amendment
to the constitution as will eventually
allow women full right of suffrage
I'VE pledge our candidates for Uni.
ted States senator and representative
in Congress to support the submis-
sion OF ratification of an amendment
TO the United States Constitution pro-
hibiting any restriction of the right
to vote on account OF sex.
baN-v5gtw. mt. L Il
we maintain the principle that
laws are made for the people and not
the people for the laws; therefore.
we advocate the initiative and refer
endum as the means by which under
reasonable regulations, the constitu-
ton and laws OF the state may be
made to express tho deliberate will
OF the people.
We call for the preparation and
submission TO the legislature at its
opening OF a budget giving detailed
estimates or receipts and fixed ex-
penditures of this state for the ensu.
ing two years. with suggestions as to
additional revenues and appropria-