The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-06-16

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other government shall receive the
sanction of our government which
does not expressly recognize the alb
solute equality of all our citizens ir-
respective of race, creed or previous
nationality and which does not rec
ognize the right of expatriation. The
American government should protect
American citizens in their rights not
only at home but abroad and any
country having a government should
be held to strict accountability for
any wrongs done them either to person
or property. At the earliest practical
opportunity our country should strive
earnestly for peace among the warning
nations of Europe and seek to bring
about the adoption of the fundamental
principles of justice and humanity
that all men shall enjoy equality of
rights and freedom from discrimina-
ton in the lands where they dwell.
Prison Reforms.
I'VE demand that the modern prin-
ciples of prison reform be applied in
our federal penal systems.
I'VE favor such work for prison.
ers as shall give them training in re-
munerative occupations so that they
may make an honest living when re-
leased from prison, the setting apart
of the net wages of the prisoner to
his dependent family or to be re-
served for his own use upon his re-
lease; the liberal extension of the
principles of the federal parole law,
with due regard both to the welfare
of the prisoners and the interests of
society; the adoption of probation
system, especially in the case of first
offenders not convicted of a serious
crime.
Pensions.
I'VE renew the declarations of re-
cent Democratic platforms relating to
generous pensions for soldiers and
their widows and call attention to our
record of performance in this partic-
ular.
Waterways and Flood Control.
I'VE renew the declaration in our
last two platforms relating to the de-
velopment of our waterways The re-
cent devastation of the lower MlsSls-
sippi valley and several other sections
by floods, accentuates the movement
for the regulation of river flow by ad-
ditional bank and levee protection be-
low and diversion, storage and control
of the flood waters above, and their
utilization for beneficial purposes in
the reclamation of arid and swamp
lands and development of water pow
er, instead of permitting the floods to
continue as heretofore, agents of de-
struction. We hold that the control of
the Mississippi river is a national
problem. The preservation of the
depth of it's waters for purposes of
navigation, the building of levees and
works of bank protection to main
tain the integrity of it's channel and
prevent the overflow of its valley re-
sulting in the interrupting of interstate
commerce, the DISCRIMINATION of the
mail service and the enormous loss of
life and property, impose an obligation
which alone can be discharged by the
national government.
I'VE favor the adoption of a liberal
and comprehensive plan for the de-
velopment and improvement of our
harbors and inland waterways with
economy and efficiency so as to permit
their navigation by vessels of stand
ard draft.
1T has been and will be the policy
of the Democratic party to enact all
| laws necessary for the speedy devel-
opment of Alaska and its great nat
ural resources. -ssz
| Territories.
I'VE favor granting to the people of
| Alaska, Hawaii and Porto Rico the
traditional territorial government ac-
corded to all territories of the United
States, since the beginning of our gov
eminent and we believe the officials
ment of those several territories
should be qualified by previous bona
fide residences.
| Candidates.
I'VE unreservedly endorse our pres
ident and vice president, woodrow
Wilson of New Jersey, and Thomas
Riley Marshall of Indiana, who have
performed the functions of their great
offices faithfully and impartially and
with distinguished ability.
I'm particular, we commend to the
American people the splendid diplo
matte victories of our great president
who has preserved the vital interest OF
| our government and its citizens nc
kept us out of war.
/ Woodrow Wilson stands today the
greatest American of his generation.
Conclusion.
This is a critical hour in the his
tory of America, a critical hour il
tn ehistory of the world. Upon the
record above set forth, which shows
great constructive achievement in fol
lowing out a consistent policy for oul
domestic and internal development
administration which has maintained
the honor the dignity and the inter
ests of the United States and at the
same time retained the respect an(
friendship of all the nations of the
world, and upon the great policies fol
the future strengthening of the lif,
of our country, the enlargement O.
our national vision and the ennoblins
of our international relations, as Sc
forth above. we appeal with conf
dence to the voters of the country