The Alaska daily empire., 1914-08-11
Democratic | Platform
Adopted At Skagway, Aug. 4,
 1914

and inspiring leaueTSnlp OA 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 a whole, in spite or the utmost efforts of the great cor porate and financial interests of Wall Street to preclpitate panic for poll tical purposes; has abandoned the Dollar Diplomacy" of proceeding ad- and with patience and wisdom guided the country through trying and vexatious 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 fast set Al aska on the high road toward the de- velopment of a rich. prosperous, hap py and contented commonwealth.
 This development is not only all 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 it's 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 torlal form of government" enlarginG the powers of the Territorial Legis lature to every needful subject of leg islation not of a strictly national char acter.
 2. The construction of the trunk lines of railroad from tidewater tc 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 fide residents of Alas ka to sit at the Capital of Alaska ,tc perform all the work now in charge of the various bureaus in Washington as advocated by Secretary of the In terior Franklyn K. Lane.
 1. The opening immediately of the coal and oil lands of Alaska, so that those great necessities of civilization may be made cheap and abundant tc the people.
 5. The abolition of the National Forest Reserves in Alaska, which are wholly unnecessary to the preserya tlon of the forests, but operate mere ly as a vexatious 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.
 [. To prevent by law the great cor. porate financial interests of the coun' try from taking any part in politics, or seeking to exert any secret influ. ence upon Territorial or Federal off, cials.
 S. 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 t,' her growth by the wise policy of the Democratic Administration we confidently expect to secure within a very few years.
 g. 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 a re- serve of eighty rods between claims or nayigable water be repealed, and that land office be established in Southwestern Alaska.
 10. The Democratic Party further declares in favor of a Direct Primary Election Law; the Australian Ballot; ! Workman's Compensation Law; ad- iitional aids to navigation and im- pavement to the mouth of the Yu- lon River and the harbor at Nome; iberal appropriations for Roads and Trails; the establishment of more gov ,rnment fish hatcheries, and a 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. ginning to reap the benefits flowing rom the wise, liberal and just treat nent accorded them by the present administration; and to them we earn 'stly appeal to support its party and policies, and thereby demonstrate heir appreciation and approval; they iaye never had friend or been given . hope from any other administration IT party; and regardless of former 'olitical associations, we cordially in. ite all men and women who love AL ska to join us in accomplishing the of this platform by electing Is candidate.