The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1914-10-24
THE DEMOCRATIC
PLATFORM
Points to a Record of Achieve ment in Nation and State That Must Win Even the Ad- miration of the Enemy.

miration of the Enemy.
 The platform adopted by the Demo- cratic conventions follows:
 The Democratic party of Connecti- cut, in state convention assembled. re- aff1rms it's allegiance to the tfme-hon- ored principles of Democracy and heartily endorses the Democratic ad- ministratfon of national affairs under the able leadership of woodrow Will son and the administration of our state government under the conscien- tious and able guidance of Governor Simeon E. Baldwin.
 Events have vindicated the peace fuI, yet firm and statesmanlike foreign policy of the present Democratic ad- nninistration of our national affairs and effectively si1eneed it's most rabid critics. With Q patience, courage. and ability never surpassed in the history of American diplomacy, the presen6 Democratic administration throughout a most trying ordeal has upheld our national honor without involving our country in foreign complications and has earned the lasting gratitude of our southern neighbors by helping to place them in g, fair way to enjoy that freedom yet unknown to the Mexican people.
 The record of the Democratic party in Congress has been one of the prom ises redeemed. The tariff has been re- vised, a banking and currency bill generally acknowledged to be effective in the prevention of panics has been passed and the income tax produces revenue for the federal government without imp osing burdenSo on the tax payers for they pay in proportion to their plenty.
 Connecticut elected a Democratic governor in 1910 and in 1912 reelected him together with Democratic Sen ate We make this report to the peo- pie who thus put us position of par tia1 authority, of what we have ac- complished since 1910.
 We found upon the statute books corrupt practice act which required no report from candidates for office of what they had expended in their, cam paign. We caused it's amendment so as to require such reports and to make the act for the first time a thing of value instead of a political sham.
 We found the state divided into four congressional districts. very unequal in population, when the law of the United States required it's division into five districts, equal in population. We secured obedience to this law.
 We found a highway department run as a political machine. multiplying, without system. roads lacking the proper qualities of endurance. We service directed by a competent civil engineer, acting on we'll adjusted plans ard achieving satisfactory re- suits.
 We found Connecticut still c1inging to the ancienf theory that the owner of g factory was only liable in case he was himself in fault for injuries to employees We abolished it and re- placed it. by the workmen's co1npen- sation act.
 This state had no civil service law. We secured the passage of one under which merit is nov the test for ad- mission to all clerkships and other minor offices to the public service.
 We found no general law in exist ence under which banks and trust companies could be organrzed and We secured the enactment Of one, there- by doing away with one branch of special legislation.
 We advocated and secured the rat ificatdon by this state of an amend ment to the constitution of the United States by which Senators of the United States are hencefoF9h to be elected by 9 direct vote of the people.
 We secured the passage of a reso- 1ution recommending to the favorable nsideration of Congress another amendment to the constitution under which the votes of each state for President and. Vice-Presicent shall also be cast by the people directly presidential electors.
 We found that a practice had grown up at the capitol under Re publican administration by virtue of which retiring state officials carried away furniture that belonged to tEr state and we put an end to that. We found the funds to the credit of the various state departments and insti- tutions generally deposited in banks where no interest or interest at who'll 1y inadequate rates was paid. We put an end to that.
 The record of the Democratic Sen ate il carrying out the last :3e'l1o- cratic platform by voting for direct primaries, the election of county com missioners by the people, and the ap- poin trnent of minor court judges by the governor, entities the Democratic party in this state to the support of all citizens who desire good government; i; and Is in marked contrast of the action of the Republican House of Repre- sentatives in voting down the above
 We now ask the people of this state as we render to them this account of our stewardship to advance us to full control of the executive and legislative departments. We again declare in fa- vor of that system of party nonfna- tions known as the direct primary and nomination by petition and also the initiative and referendums the prtnci- pie of home rle for our cities, towns and boroughs; the election of county commissioners by popular vote; the ap- pointment by the governor Of all judges of minor courts; the repeal of the personal tax law; and the abolish ment of the custom of granting public franchises without adequate compen- sation and protection to the public We favor the short ballot, general laws which will do away with the ne- cessity for special legislation, central purchasing agency for state institu- tions, the fostering and encouragement of agricultural interest; the extension of the good roads movement as rapidly