Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1914-09-03
TIE PROPOSED pLATFOR


TIE PROPOSED PLATFORM.
We. the republicans of Vermont, in
State convention assembled, hereby mako
public declaration of the controlling prin-
cipes and policies deemed by us to he FOR
the political social and economic WELL
being of the State Of Vermont We he
Heve emphatically that the people, whose
suffrage a party seeks are entitled to he
Informed frankly, explicitly and without
eubterfuge or evasion, Of what general
quality and import its stewardship shall
be. II accorded a dominant voice In the
administration Of government Accord
ingiy we recocnze and commend the
growing popular determination to hold
political parties strictly accountable for
their acts when IN power. for thus only
can party government attain its highest
efficiency and the integrity Of our nsti-
tutions he maintained.
We take this oCca sion to reafiirm our al
,egiance to the Republican party and to
the system Of representative government
as established in our State and national
constitutions. We recognize as a fact
of manifold significance that new and
complex social and economic conditions
are necessitatng a re-dehnition of the
relations between the State and the peo-
Pile, and imposing upon the agencies of
government novel duties and responsible
tiles We affirm that the Republican
party is fully responsive to this new po-
litlcal era; that 1t is progressive along the
line of permanent advancement in shap-
Ing our institutions of government; and
that it will work for the realization In oUr
institutions Of higher ideals of social jus
tice, equality Of opportunity and polltca
freedom which characterize the present
civic movement. Accordingly We pledge
ourselves to a program Of constructive
legislation that shall afford practical ant
effective recognition of the awakening po
itical conscience of State and nation.
We affirm that under the wise and for
ward-lookiuE leadership which character
ICES its councils, the Republican party
has before it an unrivaled opportunity
for political service, and that it claims
merits and welcomes the loyal support o.
all good citizens.
THE TARIFF
We declare anew our adherence to III,
republican policy Of protection to Amer
lean industry, and our belief in a tarif
system that will ensure the continuou,
and profitable employment of American
labor and American capital. We hold tina
the tariff law enacted by the present dem
ocratic administration, framed as 1t was
by those openly advocating the theor,
that the federal government under thu
constitution has no right or power to i'm
pose or collect tariff duties, except fol-
the purpose Of revenue" has not onl,
failed in its avowed purpose Of cheaper
ing the necessaries of life to the consum
er but has disorganlzed our industry, sub
iected our labor to disastrous and un
necessary foreign competition and impair
ed our tariff revenues
Again We express our belief that futur
tariff establishments should be under Nh
advice of tariff board, or commission
30 constituted a S to be removed from tn
suspicion of partisan intrigue and so con
spicuous In personnel as to insure tn
highest degree of technical ability and tn
most unbiased judgment We believe tn
time has come for the elimination froi
tariff revision. so far as may be. of pal
tisan contention and sectional strife,
tn end that our tariff system may :
framed with an eye single to the wclfal
Of the entire nation, and necessar
changes therein effected from time
time without Gripping American industr
DIRECT PRIMARY.
The people Of Vermont have declare
unequivocauy and decislvoly in favor
the direct primary. Accordingly "
pledge ourselves to the enactment of
comprehensive and practical direct pr
mary law; and we recommend that sue
measure receive the carly attentc
of the next general assembly SO that
may be ensured thorough legislative an
popular discussion.
WORKGNGMEN's COMPENSATION
LAW.
Vermont IL to be rratulated upo1 II
generally satisfactory relations existir
between employer and employe within n
borders, This harmonious industrial col
diton not only makes for the materi
prosperity of our people, but also pr
notes good citizenship and a spirit of C
operation in all civic endcavor. We cor
mend the lesisat heretofore cnact
for the amelioratlon of the status Of wor
ers in certain Industries. and for the $
pervson Of the conditions Of labor ther
in. We favor the enactment of wor
insmen's compensation law so framed
to afford continued assurance of just al
harmonious relations between employ
and employe,
PUBLICATION OF CAMPAIGN f.
PENSES.
We favor the enactment Of n law ma
Ing compulsory the publication by cane
dates for State and county offices, a
members of the general assembly OF I
iexpenses Of their campaigns for pub
tOffice, at such times, in such manner al
fnnder such specific regulations as shi
lsfectivelY safeguard the people Of t