West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1916-06-22

After one of the most memorable
gatherings in the history of the party
the Democratic national convention i'm
session at st. Louis the past week
completed its labors on Friday Wood
row Wilson and Thomas r. Marshall
were unanimously chosen as the
standard bearers of the party in the
coming campaign. The convention
was noted for the great enthusiasm
shown, the rousing speeches made and
was, as Col. w. J. Bryan said. a regu-
lar old-fashioned love feast.
Following is the full text of the
platform as adopted
PREAMBLE.
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.
RECORD OF ACHIEVEMENT
We endorse 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 at any time.
We found our country hampered by
special privilege, 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-
tion, under leadership which has
never faltered, these abuses have been
corrected, and our people have been
freed therefrom.
CURRENCY REFORM
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, a true democracy of
credit under government control, al
ready proved a financial bulwark in a
world crisis, mobilizing our resources,
placing abundant credit at the dispos-
al of legitimate industry. and making
a currency panic impossible.
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 its birth and legiti-
mate industry encouraged. Fair com
petition in business is now assured.
We have effected an adjustment of
the tarifi, adequate for revenue under
peace conditions, and fair to the con
sumer and to the producer We have
adjusted the burden OF taxation so
that swollen incomes bear their equit-
able shares. Our revenues have been
sufficient in times OF world stress, and
will large exceed the expenditures for
the current fiscal year
We have lifted human labor from the
category of commodities, and have Sc
cured to the working man the right
of voluntary association for his pro-
lection and welfare; we have protect
ed the rights Of the laborer against
the unwarranted issuance Of writs OF
injunction, and have guaranteed to
him the right of trial by jury i'm case
of alleged contempt committed outside
the presence of the court.
We have advanced the parcel post To
genuine efficiency. enlarged the pos
tai savings system, added 10000 rural
delivery routes and extensions. thus
reaching 2.5OO.OOO additional people
improved the postal service in every
branch, and for the first time I'm our
history placed the postomce system
on q self-supporting basis, with actual
surplus in 1913. 1914 and 1916
ENDNOMiI ENtEDOM.
The reforms which were most OBJ
viously needed TO clear away privi
lcge, prevent unfair discrimination
and release tho energies of men of al
ranks and advantages. have been eff
focted by recent lgislation We mus
now remove. SO far as possible. ever,
remaining element of ,trrrrf and ,y,
certainty from the path OF the bust
ness men of America. and secure TO
them a continued period Of quiet. as
sured and confident prosperity
TARIFF
we reanirm our belief iu the doc
triue OF a tariG for the purpose O
providing sufficient revenue for On
operation of the government cconoml
cally administered, and unreservedl
iudorso the Underwood tariff law a
truly exompliiying that doctrin,
We recognize that tariff rates are ne
cossarily subject to change to mot
changing conditions in the world
production and trade. The events q
the lest two years have brought abor
many momentous changes. In som
respects their effects are yet COME,
turai and wait to be disclosed. parti,
ulariy IN regard to our foreign trad
Two years Of war which has a
roctly involved most Of the chief 70
duslrial nations Of tho world a.