Gilpin observer., 1916-06-22
PLATFORM MAKES
STRONG APPEAL
Country's Advance Under Wise
and Able Democratic
Craftsmanship.
TARIFF BODY is ENDORSED
Underwood Measure Upheld-UnquaIi-
Ned Stand on Amerieanism-Would
Keep Army In MexIco-Labor
Plank 10 Emphatie-For
National Defense.

St. Louis.-Following is the Demo-
cratic national platform:
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 affairs.
We indorse the administration Of
Woodrow Wilson. 1t 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 constructive legislation, with those
of any party Of any time.
We found our country hampered by
special privilege, vicious tariff, OBJ
solete- banking laws, and inelastic
currency. Our foreign affairs were
dominated by commercial interests for
their selfish. ends. The Republican par
ty, despite repeated pledges, was impo-
tent to correct abuses which 1t had
fostered. Under our administration,
under a leadership which has never
faltered. these abuses have been cor
rected, and our people have been freed
therefrom.
Lauds Banking Reform.
Our archaic banking and currency
system, prolific Of panic and disaster
under Republican administration
long the refuge of the money trust
has been supplanted by the federal re-
serve act, true Democracy Of credit
under government control, already
proved a financial bulwark in a world
crisis, mobilizing our resources, plac-
ing abundant credit at the disposal Of
legitimate industry and making a cur
rency panic impossible.
We have created federal trade
commission to accommodate the per-
picking 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 con-
sumer and to the producer. We have
adjusted the burdens of taxation so
that swollen incomes bear their equit-
able share. Our revenues have been
sufficient in times of world stress and
will largely exceed the expenditures
for the current fiscal year.
Claims Aid to Labor.
Eve have lifted human labor from
the category Of commodities and have
secured to the workingman the right
of voluntary association for his protec-
tion and welfare. We have protected
the rights of the laborer against the
unwarranted issuance of writs of in
junction, and have guaranteed to him
the right of trial by jury In cases of
alleged contempt outside the presence
of the court.
We have advanced the parcel post to
genuine efficiency, enlarged the postal
savings system, added 10000 rural de-
livery routes and extensions, thus
reaching 2,500OOO additional people,
improved the postal service In every
branch, and for the first time in our
history placed the post office system
on self-supporting basis, with actual
surplus in 1913, 1914 and 1918.
TARIFF.
We reaffirm our belief in the doc
trine of a tariff for the purpose Of
providing sufficient revenue for the op-
GRAFTON of the government economical
ly administered, and unreservedly in
dorse the Underwood tariff law as
truly exemplifying that doctrine. We
recognize that tariff rates are neces-
sarily subject to change to meet chang
ing conditions in the worlds produc-
ton and trade.
Two years of war which has d.
rectly involved most of the chief in
dustrlal nations of the world, and
which has indirectly affected the life
and industry of all nations, are bring
ing about economic changes more va
ried and far-reaching than the world
has ever before experienced. In order
to ascertain Just what these changes
may be, the Democratic congress Is pro-
viding for nonpartisan tariff commits.
sion to make an impartial and thor
ough 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 changed
and changing condition under which
our trade Is carried on.
We cordially indorse this timely pro-
posal and declare ourselves In SYM
pathy with the principle and purpose
of shaping legislation within that field
in accordance with clearly established
facts rather than in accordance with
the demands of selfish interests or
upon information provided largely. If
not exclusively. by them.
SHIPPING BILL.
Immediate provision should be made
for the development of the carrying