The true Democrat., 1916-02-12

exist. should be abolished
The Democratic party IL opposed To
any Increase In the present rate OF
state taxation, and, to meet the ordi-
nary expenses of the government
pledges Itself to proper equalization
of assessment and adjustment OF the
burden of taxation With Democratic
legislature aud Democratic executive,
this will be accomplished after careful
and temperate consideration.
II. 10 settle the problems confront
Ing us today, or those that may arise
In the Hear future. II Is found neees'
sary 20 call a constitutional eonYeii'
tien. IL should be called with ample
time before the election Of delegates,
for full discussion by the people OF
| the measures to be considered IL
should be a convention In which each
| parish shall have Its proportienate
share of representation, and the work
OF such convention should be sub
| mitted TO the people for ratification,
CAPITAL should be encouraged ana
protected In It's rights. and labor treat
| I'D fairly and justly. With all of its
rights protected against abuses and
| sneraaehmeais.
| The artificial citizen, known az the
corporation. should be made ~ obey
| he Law and 40 to live that II will deal
Justly and henorabiy with the public,
rhe antitrust laws and other criminal
and regulatory measures should be
Vigorously applied to combinations OF
capital and of persons that offend,
| On the other hand, denagogical
prosecutions Of corporations should
| not be- tolerated. They must be pro-
ectea In their rights as well as In
diyidual citisens,
/ The building and maintaining CT
better public highways. 80 successfully
snaugtraiad and continued during
| previous Democratic administrations,
shoula be prosecuted with zeal and
without abatement,
The oaly true permanent wealth Is
production from the soil Louisiana Is
primarily an agricultural state Tier
greatest source OF wealth Is her abun.
dainty fertile and iaeshaasttble lands,
The depapula.ion Of the land Ia u reeog.
alzea evil. To the end that there may
he revival OF agricultural activity
land prosperity, aud repopuIation oil
he land with All industrious, consersa'
tive, and educated citizenship, the
Democratic party pledges It's vigorous
effort;
/ 70 provide every aid aud encourage.
ment to the uphaildlng OF agriculture
| and husbahdry In their manifold de
partmeats. emphasizing particularly
| live stock Improvement, better market
| facilities. agricultural high sehoels. es'
detrimental work aud demonstration
and extension work among the farmers
| And we recognize that the greatest
aid TO the accomplishment Of an agri.
cultural revival. and repopulatson OF
the lands. would be the establishment
of business facilities whereby the farm
ers may obtain financial aid on Ions
terms at low interest, In other words
a rural credit system,
| All Of our educational and eleemosy'
nary institutions should be provided
for az literally as the states Income
will permit.
| The Democratic party ts analterably
opposed to increasing the state debt
for any purpose Whatsoever
I In order that all legitimate obliga
'ioas of the state may be- met. all an
necessary offices and expenses should
. be eliminated and the ssrietest eeen
amy observed Under no circumstance
should appropriations exceed the rev
: anues OF the state. and TO that enc
system of state budget should bs
adopted
The control Of the food waters q
The Mississippi river. and the lesee'
necessary TO protect the lowlanas o
!, Louisiana from the waters OF a eoasi
nent. Ii and should be the natloni
|. charge, as enuaeiated In the nationa
Democratic platform OF 1912. But i'm
I'M the national government assumes
! the obligation, we advocate the main
: tenance Of the levee system by tn
y atate 10 the highest degree OF efficiency
II We reatflrm our allegiance to sh
Democratic party. and we especial
+ send greetIngs to President Woodrow
Wilson, who has SO ably and patriot
eally preserved to our country In
y blessings OF peace amidst world a
war
: In this day OF national stress, "
call upon the white Democratic of I4os
t. isiana to turn deaf ear to those VII