The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-06-17

The Democratic party in National
Convention assembled. adopts the fol-
lowing declaration. TO the end that
the people OF the United tSates may
both realize the achievements wrought
by four years of Democratic admins
tration and be appraised of the poll
cies to which the party Is committed
for the further conduct of national
affairs
Record of Achievement.
We indorse the administration of
Woodrow Wilson. 1t speaks for IL
self 1t is the best exposition OF
sound Democratic policy at home and
broad
We challenge comparison of our
record. our keeping OF pledges and
our constructive legislation, with
those of any party OF any time.
We found our country hampered
by special privilege. a vicious tariff.
obsolete banking laws and an inelas-
tic currency. Our foreign affairs were
dominated by commercial interests for
their selfish ends The Republican
party despite repeated pledges. was
impotent to correct abuses which IT
had fostered. Under our administra
tion, 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 Republican administration
long the refuge OF the money trust
has been supplanred by the Federal
Reserve act. true Democracy Of
credit under government control, at
ready proved financial buiwark in
a world crisis, mobilizing our re-
sources placing abundant credit at
the disposal OF legitimate industry,
and making a currency panic imro--
sible.
We have created Il Federal trade
commission To accommodate the per
picking questions arising under the
antitrust laws so that monopoly may
he strangled at it's birth and iegtti-
mate industry encouraged, Fair COM
petition in business Is now assured
We have effected an adjustment Of
the tariff adequate for revenue under
peace conditions and fair To the con-
sumner and 20 the producer. We have
adjusted The burdens of taxation so
that swollen incomes bear their equt-
table share Our revenues have been
sufficient in times OF world stress. and
will largely exceed the expenditures
for the current fiscal year.
VIZ have lifted human labor from
tho category OF comm ODDITIES, and have
secured to the worklngman the right
OF voluntary association for his pro-
tecAon ana welfare. We have pro-
tected the rights Of the laborer
against the unwarranted issuance Of
~rits Of injunction, and have guaran-
teed to him the right OF trial by Jury
In cases OF alleged contempt com
snitted outside the presence Of the
court
We have advanced the parcel post
10 genuine efficiency, enlarged the pos
tai savings system added 10 900 rural
delivery routes and extensions, thus
reaching two and one-haf millions
additional people. improved the postal
service In every branch and for the
first time ir our history. placed the
postefFiee svstem on a self-supporting
basis. with actual surplus In 1918,
1914 and 1915.
Economic Freedom.
The reforms which were most OBJ
viously needed 10 clear away priv-
lege prevent unfair discrimination
and release the energies 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 busl-
ners men ~ America. and secure for
them n continued period OF quiet, as
sured and confident prosperity.
Tariff.
We affirm our belief In the doctrine
of tariff for the purpose Of providin q
sufficient revenue for the operation Of
the government economically admin
istered, and unrsservedly endorse the
Underwood tariff law as truly exem-
plifying that doctrine. We recognise
that tariff rates are necessarily sub
ject to change to meet changing con-
dftions In the worlds production ana
trade. The events OF the last two
years have brought about many mo.
mentous changes. In some respects
their effects are yet conjedural and
wait to be disclosed. particularly in
regard to our foreign trade.
Two years or a war which has d.
rectly involved most of the chief In
dustriai nations Of the world and