Pine Bluff daily graphic. (Pine Bluff, Ark.) 1893-1942, 1916-06-17
The Democratic Platform of 1916

adopted by the Democratic national
convention this afternoon reads;
The Democratic party in national
convention assembled adopts the fol-
lowing declaration to the end that the
people of the United States may both
realize the achievements wrought by
four years of Democratic administra-
ton and be apprised of the policies
to which the party is committed for
the further conduct of national at
fairs.
Record of Achievement.
We endorse the administration of
Woodrow Wilson. 1t speaks for it.
self. 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 constructive legislation with those
of any party of any time.
We found our country hampered by
special privileges, a vicious tariff, OBJ
solete 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
impotent to correct abuses which it
had fostered. Under our administra-
ton, 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 administrations
long the refuge of the money trust
has been supplanted by the federal
reserve act, true democracy of credit
under government control, which al
ready has proved financial bulwark
in a world crisis, moblizing our re-
sources, placing abundant credit at
the disposal of legitimate industry,
and making currency panic imposi-
BILE.
We have created a federal trade
commission to accommodate the per-
picking questions arising under the
ANTITRUST laws so that monopoly may
be strangled at it's birth and legiti-
mate industry encouraged. Fair
competition in business is now as
sured.
We have adjusted the burdens of
taxation so that swollen incomes bear
their equitable share Our revenues
have been sufficient in times of world
stress.
Protection for Labor.
We have lifted human labor from
the category of commodities and have
secured to the working man the right
of voluntary association for his pro-
lection and welfare We have pro-
tected the rights of the laborer against
<lo r,.o ~ ,I ic,r,,ouon of &c
injunction and have guaranteed to him
the right of trial by jury in alleged
contempt cases committed outside the
presence of the court.
We have advanced the parcel post to
genuine efficiency, enlarged the pos
tai savings system, added ten thou
sand rural delivery routes and extern
sions, thus reaching two and one-half
millions additional people, improved
the postal service in every branch,
and, for the first time in our history,
placed the postoffice system on
self-supporting basis, with actual sur
plus in 1912, 1914 and 1915.
The reforms which were most OBJ
viously needed to clear away privilege,
prevent unfair discrimination and re-
lease the energies of men of all ranks
and advantages have been effected by
recent legislation. We must now re-
move, so far as possible, every re-
naming element of unrest and uncer-
tainty from the path of the business
men of America, and secure for them
q continued period of quiet, assured
and confident prosperity.
Tariff.
We reaffirm our belief in the doc
trine of tariff for the purpose of
providing sufficient revenue for the
operation of the government, economi-
cally administered and unreservedly
endorse the Underwood tariff law as
exemplifying that doctrine.
We recognize that tariff rates are
necessarily subject to change to meet
changing conditions in the worlds
production and trade. The events of
the last two years have brought about
manv momentous changes. In some
respect their effects are yet conjec-
tural, particularly in regard to our
foreign trade. Two years of war
which has directly involved most of
the chief industrial nations of the
world and which has indirectly af-
fected the life, and industry of all
udtlOuS, are UIlIlSlIlS dOOut CCOlOtIilC
changes more varied and far-reaching
than the world has before experienced.
In order to ascertain just what these
changes may be, the Democratic con-
gress is trying for non-partisan tar
iff commission to make impartial and
thorough study of every economic fact
that may throw light either upon our
past, or upon our future fiscal policy
with regard to the imposition of taxes
on imports or with regard to the
changing and changed conditions I'M
der which our trade is carried on. We
cordially endorse this timely proposal
and declare ourselves in sympathy
with principle and purpose of shaping
future legislation within that field in
accordance with clearly established
facts rather than in connection with
the demands of selfish interests or
upon information provided largely, if
not exclusively, by them.
AmericanisM.
The part that the United States
will play in the new day of interna-
tional relationships which is upon us
will depend upon our preparation and
our character. The Democratic party,
therefore, recognizes the assertion and
triumphant demonstration of the in
divisibility and coherent strength of
the nation as the supreme issue Of