The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-08-26

builder OF healthy pubic sentiment Dy
which laws Of this character become
effective. The question OF prohibition
has become q national question, and
the Democratic party of Kansas here
by declares itself to be in favor of an
amendment to the federal constitution
in harmony with the Kansas constftu-
ton and laws prohibiting the manu-
facture, importation. transportation or
sale Of Intoxicating liquors.
Recognizing the welfare Of the state
requires that women and minors
should be protected from all condi-
lions Of labor having pernicious ef-
feet upon their health and morals. we
favor the creation of an Industrial well
fare commission with full power to es-
tablish a standard of hours of employ
ment and fix a minimum wage. in any
Industrial occupation. sufficient in
amount to supply the necessary cost
of living and maintain the worker in
good health.
Child's Welfare Code.
We favor the enactment of child's
welfare code, embracing the subject OF
delinquent and dependent children, tn<
GLIDING a provision for the mothers
compensation in all cases where the
welfare of the child is best secured in
that manner.
Experience has demonstrated the
necessity for additional legislation to
render our state grain inspection law
effective. We recognize the right of
the buyer and seller of grain to agree
upon the terms Of sale. but where they
cannot agree and inspection Is neces-
sary, such inspection should be made
by the state and not by any board Of
trade or similar organizations. We
therefore favor compulsory state grain
inspection in all such cases.
Non-Partisan Superintendents.
The Democratic party has taken the
judiciary out of politics. 1t also will
take the schools out Of politics by pro-
viding for. the election Of non-parti-
san state and county superintendents.
Inasmuch as the burden Of taxation
arises from an unbusinesslike admin
istration of county, township and
school district affairs, we favor legisla-
ton compelling a more businesslfke
and economic administration of the
affairs Of municipal subdivisions of
the state, thereby preventing waste of
public money now prevailing.
The legislature of 1913, acting upon
the recommendation of Governor
Hodges, provided for placing a mine
rescue car near Pittsburg. and be-
cause of the splendid results already
realized in the protection Of life Sc
cured by such service, we favor its ex-
tension to cover the entire mining
field.
Endorse 1. r.. and r..
We favor the adoption of the pro-
posed amendment to the constitution
providing for the recall Of unfaithful
public officials.
We favor the adoption of the pro-
posed amendment to the constitution
providing for classification Of property
for purposes of taxation and empow-
ering the legislature to tax incomes.
franchises, privileges and occupations.
We favor the passage Of such laws
as may be necessary to give the cities
of Kansas the greatest measure of
home rule consistent with the consti-
tuition and best interests of the state
at large.
The Democratic platform of 1912
declared: 1.-TWO years ago ali parties
in Kansas declared in favor of the
initiative and referendum. and pledged
the people to submit the necessary
amendment to make it part Of our
fundamental law. The Democratic
members Of the legislature kept the
faith-the Republicans violated it. -
The same Is true of the legislature of
1913. The Democrats kept the faith
the Republicans and Progressives vio-
lated 1t. We now renew our pledges
Of two and four years ago and again
declare to the people of Kansas that
we will submit an amendment provid-
ing for the initiative and referendum
whenever enough Democrats are elect
ed to the legislature to lawfully sub
nit such an am endment to the vote of
the people.
State Income Tax.
The census of 1910 tells us that
Kansas had $4,000 tenant farmers, Co.
900 farmers who lived on farms mort
gagged for deferred payment Of rent,
and $1,000 farmers who own their
own farms; that we had 5000 less
farm owners in 1910 than in 1900;
that tenancy landless men are increas-
ing at such a rapid rate that unless
checked. the Independent farmers will
soon be a thing Of the past. We favor
the adoption of the proposed amend
ment to the constitution providing for
classification Of property for purposes
of taxation and empowering the legis-
hture to tax incomes, franchises, priv
ileges and occupations.
Amend Primary Act.
We are in favor Of such amend
ments to the present primary law as
will meet the requirements and de-
mands Of the people.
We favor the enactment of such
measures as will promote the safety
and safeguard the interests of the
public.
| We indorso the valuable work OF
our Democratic public utilities com.
mission and pledge our party tt
amend that law, extending it's author.
ity and powers to meet with the grow.
ing conditions Of our state, and enact
the law known as the Understandable
franchise law" for public utilities.
We recommend the adoption of al
amendment to the Kansas constitution
to provide for a verdict, in civil cases
by three-fourths of the members o.
tho jury.