The Bourbon news. [volume] (Paris, Ky.) 1895-19??, 1919-09-09
PLATFORM ADOPTED BY DEMO
Gratis AT LOUISVILLE CON-
VENTION.

LOUISVILLE, KY, Sept. 3. -
General revision of the State rev.
enue law in a way that will insure
gradual reduction of taxes on real
estate, resulting, ultimately, in re-
llevlng it from State taxes, except
for school and road purposes, is
promised in the platform adopted
here Thursday night by Kentucky
Democrats in State convention.
The platform declares also for a
production tax on oil and gas, caus-
tic legislation against profiteering,
ratification of the Federal amend
ment for woman suffrage, continue
ton of the primary system of MAX
ing nominations and creation of the
office of State Labor Commissioner
to be filled by election.
The convention went on record as
indorsing unqualifiedly the Wilson
administration. In the platform pre-
amble attention is called to the fact
that every Democratic platform
pledge of 1915 has been fulfilled,
and the Democratic party is congrat-
ulated on the fact. 1t is set forth that
there is not a piece of State legis-
lation enacted during the last eight
years that Republicans, if they
should happen to be in control of the
Legislature this fall, would dare re-
peal.
In the platform are a strong ag-
riculture plank, strong educational
plank, that is calculated to advance
the cause of literacy in Kentucky
and elevate school teachers to the
plane on which they belong, and a
strong public health plank.
Practically the only fight waged
in the drafting and adoption of the
platform had to do with woman suf-
frage, the issue being whether the
convention should declare for ratifi-
cation of the Federal amendment, or
call on the coming Legislature to
submit the matter of suffrage to the
people.
This question of state rights in
the matter of suffrage was the basis
of the only fight that caused even
ripple on the otherwise placid sur
face.
Endorsement of the Federal amend
ment plan was distinct disappoint-
ment to Senator ]. C. w Beckham,
who had hoped that the convention
would support State submission in
stead. He took the position that
each State should settle the matter
of suffrage within its own borders,
and that the Federal Government
should keep hands off.
In the opinion of Democrats in at
tendance on the convention, it was
one of the most representative gath
erings of it's kind ever held in Ken
lucky. Approximately $500 dele
gates were present.
Representative Alben w. Barley,
Paducah, who, as temporary chair
man, made the keynote speech, re-
viewed the present administration,
national and State, and turned the
searchlight on Republican admins
trations. He pointed out that all the
platform pledges made by the Demo-
Gratis in 1915 had been redeemed,
and reviewed legislation enacted. He
said that for the first time in years
the Commonwealth of Kentucky had
been placed on a firm financial basis,
and recited figures showing that
schools and good roads than ever
before during like period. His ad-
dress thrilled his hearers to high
pitch of enthusiasm, and the speaker
was cheered repeatedly
Promptly at noon Thursday the
convention was called to order in the
Armory by Judge Charles A. Hardin,
Harrodsburg, chairman of the Demo-
cratic State Central and Executive
Committees. He made a brief ad-
dress in which he declared that there
had been more constructive, just and
helpful legislation under President
Wilson than during a period of fifty
years under the Republicans. The
Democratic party in this State, he
said, is united and he predicted that
the Democratic ticket will win in
Novebmer by at least 10000 votes.
When Judge Hardin called for
nominations for temporary chairman
of the convention, only one name,
that of Representative Barley, was
submitted. The nominating speech
was made by State Senator Charles
H. Harriss, Versailles, and w. A.
Berry, Paducah, seconded it. Repre-
sentative Barley was escorted to the
stage by a committee composed of
Senator Harriss, Mr.. Berry and Rep
resentative David H Kincheloe, Mad
isonville.
Following the address of Mr.. Bark
ley, and announcement of the per-
sonnet of the various convention COM
mittees, Delegate Berry offered a
resolution, which was adopted, heart
lily indorsing the course pursued by
President Wilson in behalf of the
League of Nations, and his determ-
nation to tour the country in order
that the people may know, first hand,
just what he is attempting to bring
about in that connection.
Judge John D. Carroll, New Castle,
Chief Justice of the Kentucky Court
of Appeals, as permanent chairman,
presided over the night session. 1t
was at this session that the platform
was submitted by the Resolutions
Committee and the real business of
the convention accomplished.
One of the features of the night
cocc;o, x.,oc on oddrocc hxy Conofor