Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1916-06-23
The Democratic Platform.

| venti0n assembled, adopts the following
declaration. to the end that the people Of
the United States may both realize the
achievements wrought by four years Of
Democratic administration and be apprised
Of the policies to which the party is COM
mitted for the further conduct of national
affairs.
RECORD Or ACHIEVEMENT.
We indorse the administration Of Wood
row Wilson. II speaks for itself 1t is the
best exposition of sound Democratic policy
at home and abroad.
We challenge comparison Of our record,
our keeping Of pledges and our construc-
tive legislation with those Of any party Of
any time.
We found our country hampered by
special privilege vicious tariff, obsolete
banking laws and an inelastic currency.
Our foreign affairs were dominated by
commercial interests for their selfish ends
The Republican party. despite repeated
pledges, was imp0tent to correct abuses
which it had fostered. Under our admin
istration, under a leadership which has
never faltered, these abuses have been
corrected and our people have been freed
therefrom.
Our archaic banking and currency system,
prolific Of panic and disaster under Republi-
can administrations the refuge of
the money trust-has been supplanted by
the Federal reserve act, true democracy
Of credit under government control. already
proved financial bulwark in a world cri-
sis, mobilizing our resources. placing album
dant credit at the disposal Of legitimate
industry. and making a currency panic
impossible.
We have created Federal trade COM
mission TO accommodate the perplexing
questions arising under the antitrust laws,
so that monopoly may be strangled at its
birth and legitimate industry encouraged.
Fair competition in business is now assured.
We have effected an adjustment Of the
tariff adequate for revenue under peace
conditions and fair to the consumer and to
the producer. We have adjusted the bur
dens Of taxtion so that swollen incomes
bear their equitable share. Our revenues
have been sufficient in times Of world stress
and will largely exceed the expenditures
for the current fiscal year.
We have lifted human labor from the
CATEGORY Of commodities. and have secured
to the workingman the right to voluntary
association for his protection and welfare.
We have protected the rights Of the laborer
against the unwananted issuance of writs
OF injunctions, and have guaranteed to
him the right Of trial by jury in cases Of
alleged contempt committed outside the
presence Of the court
We have advanced the parcel post to
genuine efficiency, enlarged the postal saw
ing system. added 10000 rural delivery
routes and extensions, thus reaching two
and one-half millions additional people,
improving the postal service in every
branch, and for the first time in our history
placed the postoffice system on a self-sup-
porting basis. with actual surplus in 1918
1914 and 1918.
ECONOMIC FREEDOM
The reforms which were most obviously
needed to clear away privilege. prevent
unfair discrimination and release the en-
ereies Of men Of all ranks and ADVANTAGES
have been effected by recent legislation
We must now remove. so far as possible
every remaining element Of unrest and
uncertainty from the path of the business
men Of America, and secure for them q
continued period of quiet, assured and con.
fident prosperity.
TARIFF.
We affirm our belief in the doctrine Of q
tariff for the purpose Of providing sufficient
revenue for the operation Of the govern.
ment economically administered, and un.
reservedly indorse the Underwood tariff
law as truly examplifying that doctrine
We recognize that tariff rates are necessa.
rily subject to change to meet changing
conditions in the worlds production and
trade. The events of the last two years
have brought about many momentum:
changes In some respects their effects
are yet conjectural and wait to be disclosed
particularly in regard to our foreign trade
Two years of war which has directl,
involved most of the chief industrial ma.
tons of the world, and which has indirectl,
affected the life and industry of all nations
are bringing about economic changes more
varied and far-reachine than the worlt
has ever before experienced In order tC
ascertain just what those changes may b.
the Democratic Congress is providing for q
nonpartisan tariff commission TO max,
impartial and thorough study of ever,
economic fact that may throw light eithel
upon our past or upon our future fisca
policy with regard to the imposition O.
taxes on imports or with regard to tn,
changed and changing conditions unde
which our trade is carried on. We cordi
ally indorse this timely proposal and de
clare ourselves in sympathy with the prin
ciple and purpose Of shaping Legislation
within that field in accordance with clearl,
established facts rather than in accord
ance with trade demands Of selfish interest,
or upon information provided largely, /
not exclusively, by them.
AMERIcANIsM.
The part that the United States will pla,
in the new day Of international relation
ships which is now upon US will depend
upon our preparation and our character
The Democratic party therefore recos
nizes the assertion and triumphant demon
stration of the indivisibility and coherent
strength Of the nation as the suprem,
issue Of the day in which the whole worlC
faces the crisis Of manifold change. 1
summons all men, Of whatever origin o.
creed who would count themselves Amer
cans, to join in making clear to all tn,
world the unity and consequent power o.