Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1914-10-16
State Democratic Platform

We consider the present constitu-
tional provision relating to taxation
to be antiquated and inequitable and
we favor such an amendment to Ar.
ticle VII of the state constitution a.
will empower the people to enact q
revenue system that will be in har.
mony with changed economic condi.
tons.
We believe that elections are too
frequent, with the result that the
people become careless and indiffer.
ent in affairs of government; also
that too many officers are put on our
ballots; that reduction in the mum.
Der of elective officers would cause
closer scrutiny of the personnel and
qualifications Of the various candi.
dates and that therefrom public ser.
wants Of higher ability and greater
worth would be obtained.
We, therefore, favor a reduction In
the number of elections and a ma
terial shortening of the ballot.
We indorse the plan of Governor
Lister further to reduce the cost Of
administration by the consolidation
and elimination of some of the exist.
ing commissions.
We favor the recall of judges and
the amendment of existing statutes
relative to the initiative referendum
and recall SO as to make them efIec-
tive instruments in the hands of the
people. We believe that. a measure
brought before the people, either BY
referendum or initiative, thereby be-
comes essentially non-partisan mat
ter.
We commend the action of tho
state legislature and the governor
and the national reclamation service
In providing for the survey of the
Palouse project in Eastern Washing.
ton, looking to the irrigation of
many thousand acres of our most fer
tile lands. and the providing of homes
for many thousands Of people, and
we pledge the party to continue it's
efforts for the completion OF said pro.
ject.
We favor a complete recodifcation
Of our irrigation laws.
We favor the sale to actual settlers
of all lands not chiefly valued for
timber, mineral, gas or oil, derived
from the government of the United
States and now held for the construc-
ton, maintenance and operation of
state, educational or penal institu.
tons, and for state and educational
purposes generally, upon such terms
and in such manner as shall yield the
full value there is to our state.
Governor Lister Made Good
Governor Ernest Lister promised
the people of the state of Washing
ton economy and efficiency in the
administration of the state. This
promise in spirit and letter he has
sacredly kept. A republican legisla-
ture enacted laws by which the sum
of approximately $24,OOO.OOO was to
be appropriated out of the state treas,
ury. OF this sum Governor Lister
vetoed bills which resulted in are
duction Of approximately $5,0O0,O00
Governor Lister has initiated a sys.
tenn Of financial reports from the pub,
lie institutions and departments OF,
the state by which he has at hand
for Immediately reference the exact
amount expended monthly by each
institution and department and the
exact cost of maintenance for each
inmate in each public institution per
day. He is in constant and close
touch with the public business of the
state.
AS further achievement of Gov
ernor Lister, we point to the fact
that for the first time since the ad-
AAAAhioeAeeeAoil Va NONC MI TOSGIS, lu6
executive and administrative depart.
ments under the governors supervi.
sion and control, are within their re-
spective appropriations, fact that
demonstrates not only the strict econ.
omy but the high efficiency as we'll
Of the administration of state affairs
by our democratic governor.
We recognize President Woodrow
Wilson as the leader of the demo
cratic party in the nation, and Gov.
ernor Ernest Lister in the state, and
we pledge our legislative candidates
to support any policy of reform rec
commended that will lessen the bur.
dens of taxation upon the people of
this state.
Eager for the battle in the age-old
war against the forces led by priv.
lege and greed, and confident of the
appreciation and support Of right
thinking Americans, who place honor
above the dollar and humanity above
mere material interest, the democrats
of the state of Washington and of
the union gladly await the issue.