The Alaska daily empire., 1914-08-26
DEMOCRATIC PLATFORM
Adopted at Skagway, Aug. 1, "A

-E-
 Adopted at Skagway, Aug. 4, "A.
 We congratulate the people of AL aska upon the advent to power of the Democratic Party under the splendid and inspiring leadership of President Woodrow Wilson and the great men he has summoned to his Cabinet.
 In the nation at large, 1t has re- deemed every pledge made in the platform adopted at Baltimore in 1912; has freed industry from the
 domination of special interests; brought independence and prosperity to the people as whole, in spite of the utmost efforts of the great cor porate and financial interests of Wall Street to precipitate panic for poli- tical purposes; has abandoned the Dollar Diplomacy" of proceeding ad- ministrations and with patience and wisdom guided the country through trying and vexatlous foreign compli- cations into the ways of righteous ness and peace.
 And of far more immediate concern to us, it has struck off the shackles which so long bound and restricted this Territory and has at last set Al. aska on the high road toward the de- yelopment of rich, prosperous, hap py and contented commonwealth.
 This development Is not only al- ready in full swing at many points in the Territory, but from Cape Fox to Point Barrow, and from the Gulf of Alaska to the Frozen Ocean the Wilson Administration has infused every town and camp with the spirit of hope and confidence In the future.
 The Democratic Party of Alaska, in convention assembled, therefore pled- ges itself and its candidate for dele gate to Congress to cooperate with the National Administration in securing the following beneficial legislation:
 l. An amendment to the Organic Act, so that in the words of the Presi- dent, Alaska may have a full Terri torial form of government" enlarging the powers of the Territorial Legis- lature to every needful subject of leg islation not of strictly national char acter.
 2. The construction of the trunk lines of railroad from tldewater to the great interior basins, preliminary surveys for which are already under way.
 8. The creation of an Administra. tive Development Board. to be com posed of bona flde residents of Alas ka to sit at the Capital of Alaska to perform all the work now in charge of the various bureaus in Washington as advocated by. Secretary of the h. terior Franklyn K. Lane.
 4. The opening immediately of the coal and oil lands of Alaska, so that those great necessities of civilization may be made cheap and abundant to the people.
 5. The abolition of the National Forest Reserves in Alaska, which are wholly unnecessary to the preserva- tion of the forests, but operate mere ly as vexatioug hindrance to the min. CT and the homesteader.
 6. The abolition of the St Michael Military Reserve, except as to lands actually needed for the use of the Military Post at that point.
 2. To prevent by law the great cor porate financial interests O. the coun- try from taking any part in politics, or seeking to exert any secret infiu- ence upon Territorial or Federal oHi- cials.
 8. To provide for the admission of Alaska into the Union as State as soon as she has attained a population of 100000 which with the impulse given to her growth by the wise policy of the Democratic Administration we confidently expect to secure within a very few years.
 9. The speedy extension of the sys- tenn of public surveys to all the agri. cultural lands of the Territory, so that the homestead laws may be eff ciently and economically administer ed; that the law providing for re- serve of eighty rods between claims pr navigable water be repealed, and hat a land office be established in Southwestern Alaska.
 10. The Democratic Party further declares in favor of Direct Primary Election Law; the Australian Ballot; Workman's Compensation Law; ad- litional aids to navigation and im- 'rovement to the mouth of the Yu. ion River and the harbor at Nome; iberal appropriations for Roads and Trails; the establishment of more gov rnment fish hatcheries, and strict egulation of the canneries and fish, ries, so that our fishing industry may lot be destroyed or impaired; and the eduction of cable tolls.
 The people of Alaska are now be- inning, to reap the benefits flowing rom the wise, liberal and just treat lent accorded them by the present administration: and to them we earn stly appeal to support It's party and ohcies, and thereby demonstrate leir appreciation and approval; they