Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1916-06-29
TEXTOFDEMOCRATIC PLATFORM

, pine islands as being in fulfillment Of
the policy declared by the democratic
party in Its last national platform, and
we reiterate u Endorsement Of the
purpose of ultimate independence for
the Philippine islands, expressed in the
preamble OF that measure.
Woman Suffrage.
we recommend the extension OF
franchise to the women of the country
by the states upon the same terms as
to men.
Protection Of Citizens.
We again declare the policy that the
sacred rights of American citizenship
must be preserved at home and abroad
INK that no treaty with any other gov
eminent shall receive the sanction OF
our government which does not ex-
pressly recognize the absolute equality
of all our citizens, Irrespective of race,
creea or previous nationality. and
which does not recognize the right VI
eXpatriation. The American govern
ment should protect American citizenA
IN their rights not only at home, but
abroad, and any country having a gov
rnnen should be held to strict ac-
co%untability for any wrongs done them,
either to person or to 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 principle
of justice and humanity. that all men
shall enjoy equality of rights and free
dom from discrimination in the lands
wherein they dwell.
Prison Reform.
We demand that the modern prin-
ciples of prison reform be applied in
our federal penal system. We favor
such work for prisoners as shall give
| them training in nir1,ncrnt lx,1 >Sa,t
patlons, SO that they may make an
honest living when released from pris-
on; the setting apart OF the net wages
OF the prisoner to be paid TO his de-
pendent family or to he reserved for
his own use Upon his release: the lib-
eral extension of the principles Of the
federal parole law with due regard both
to the welfare Of the prisoner and the
interests OF society; the adoption Of
the probation system, especially in the
case of first offenders not convicted OF
serious crimes.
Pensions.
w renew the declaration of recent
democratic platforms relating to gem
erous pensions for soldiers and their
widows and call attention to our record
of performance in this particular.
w renew the declaration in our last
two platforms relating to the develop
ment of our waterways. The recent de-
vastation of the lower Mississippi val
ley and several other sections by floods
accentuates the movement for the reg
ulatlon of river flow by additional bank
ana leVee protection below the diver
sion storage and control of the flood
waters above, and their utilization for
beneficial purposes in the reclamation
Oh ard and swamp lands and develop
ment OF water power, instead of permit
TONG he floods to continue as hereto
fore, agents of destruction. We hold
that the control of the Mississippi river
is a national problem. The preservation
If the depth of it's waters for purposes
or navigation, the building OF levees and
works of bank protection to maintain
the integrity of it's hanne and prevent
the overflow of it's valley resulting i'll
tne interruption of interstate commerce.,
the dlSof2aniZation of the mail service
and the enormous loss of live and pro-
perty impose an obligation, which alone
can be discharged by the national gov
eminent.
We favor the adoption of a liberal
ana comprehensive plan for the de-
Nelopment and Improvement OF our har-
bors and inland waterways with
economy and efficiency so as to permit
THEN navigation by vessels of standard
draft.
Alaska.
1T has been and will be the policy of
the democratic party to enact all laws
oPSSuS dtNSlopIlltll
OF Alaska ana it's great natural resour-
ces.
Territories.
We favor granting to the people OF
Alaska, Hawaii n 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
appointed to administer the government
of these several territories should be
qualified by previous bonafide resi-
idence.
Candidates.
We unreservedly indorse our presi-
dent n vice president. Woodrow WILL
son, OF New Jersey. and Thomas Riley
Marshall, OF Indiana, who have per-
formed the functions of their great Of
fices faithfully and impartially and with
distinguished ability. In particular, we
commend to the American people the
splendid diplomatic victories of our
great president, who has served the
vital interests of our government and
It's citizens and kept US out of war.
Woodrow Wilson stands today the
greatest American OF his generation.
Conclusion.
This is a critical hour in the history
OF America. a critical hour in the his
tory of the world. Upon the record
above set forth which shows great con-
d|hioNCiicHt III lollnN ilB Jul
Il consistent policy for our domestic
and internal development: upon the
record OF the democratic administra-
ton, which has maintained the honor,
the dignity, the interests OF the United
States and at the same time retained
the respect n friendship Of all the
nations of the world and upon the great
policies for the future strengthening of
the life of our country. the enlarge
ment Of our national vision and the
ennoblins of our international rela-
tons as set forth above. we appeal with
confidence to the voters of the coun-
try"