Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1914-04-15
The Republican Platform.


adopted by the republicans of Maine
in State convention at Augusta last
week. Those things of public mo-
ment about which the people wish in
formation are treated in a straight
forward manner, and with brevity and
clearness, the meaning not being in
VOWED or obscured by high sounding
phrases and pleasing generalities.
After reviewing and commencing
legislation passed by the last State
legislature along lines of human well
fare, the platform says;
We earnestly reaffrm our belief in pro-
tectiye tariff high enough to yield a sufficient
revenue and to adequately protect American
industries ard labor.
We believe in a re-adjustment of the tariff
schedules from time to time to meet chang
ing conditions, but believe that revisions
should be based upon accurate information
obtained by investigations carefully con-
Quoted by a scientific. permanent, non-parti-
san tariff board.
We believe the Underwood tariff bill is I'M
justly sectional, ana menace to our indus
tries, and we therefore condemn it, especially
provisions thereof which so vitality and
destructively affect the agricultural and in
dustrial interests of our State.
We condemn the national democratic ad-
ministration for its hurried surrender to
Great Britain in the matter of the Panama
canal, which was built and is owned by the
United States, for its seeming admission that
this country can be made to yield to a foreign
power, whether right or wrong" through
fear; for its violation of platform pledges
upon which it induced the people to in
trust it with power; and we commend
the patriotic stand of Names three
republican members Of the national House Of
Representatives in their struggle TO maintain
the traditional policy of this country that in
matters affecting its own territory and in the
conduct of its domestic affairs the United
States will never permit dictation by any
foreign power.
We condemn that administration for it's
vague and facilitating policy in dealing with
conditions in Mexico.
We believe prohi bition to be the settled pol
icy Of this State, and that the people want no
more e-submission, but demand the faithful
enforcement of the law by the regular officers
elected for that purpose, ana that IL those
officers neglect their duties they should be re-
moved from office. We oppose the resubmis-
sion provided by the democratic platform. to-
gether with its demand for license in the
cities and local option for the towns. We also
oppose that plank in the platform Of the pro-
gressive party that advocated amendment to
the constitution whereby that constitution
can be changed by the initiative, as the result
OF such legislation would permit the prohib-
itory amendment to be submitted to the
people every two years.
We further declare In favor of federal legis-
latlon that shall make the principle of nation
al prohibition practicable and effective, and
shall ultimately prohibit the sale, the manu-
facture for sale and Importation for sale Of
Intoxicating liquors for as a beverage in
the United States and all territories 81 beet to
its jurisdiction.
We affirm and commend the public utilities
bill enacted by the last legislature as the best
method of regulating corporations and their
services, rates and charges, and we believe
that the people should rebuke at the ballot
box at the next election, the attempt OF demo-
cratic politicians to make political capital by
the partisan use Of the refere ndun., and call
upon all voters to approve this law at the
ballot box.
We pledge our support to the enactment Of
with similar laws now in force in most en-
hghtened states and conntries-a law that
will guarantee to employees injured and the
dependents of those killed in industrial acci-
dents, reasonable compensation without
doubt, without delay and without litigation.
We favor the passage of q law limiting the
hours OF labor for women and children in
manufacturing establishments to ffty-four
hours per week, and federal law prohibiting
child labor.
We regret that the democratic party has
found 1t necessary in its platform to make a
party issue Of the governors veto of the mile
age rate. The governor gave a reason for
his veto that the bill was in conflict with the
public utilities law, as that commission would
regulate the fares and charges of all railroads
In this State. The democrats now ind fault
with the governor because their partisan
referendum on the utilities bill has deprived
the people for the time being, of the benefits
OF that benefcient measure. Such contempti-
bic partisapsbip to discredit an honest execu-
tive ought TO be condemn ed by the people in
a very emp hattie manner.
Upon the adoption OF the public utilities
law now before the people of Maine by virtue
OF the referendum recommend an immedi-
ate and complete investigation by the public
utilities commission of the financial condi-
ton Of the steam railroads in Maine and the
imposition by it OF as low mileage rates as
such conditions shall warrant.
Believing that the people of the State de-
maad the submission of an amendment to our
constitution granting equal suffrage to women
we shall in the next legislature, as we did in
the last, advocate such amendment.
We believe that the ballot used at our regu-
Iar all ffAn zkA ..sNa
ballot.
We are In favor of good roads, recommend a
liberal appropriation by the State. for that
purpose. and demand that in their coustruc-
ton and maintenance the interest of all per-
sons and sections using them be carefully
considered and fairly recog nized.
We favor the enactment of q law for presi-
Dental preference primaries so that every
individual voter may express effectually his
personal choice of the president and vice.
president.