The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1919-10-17
MARYLAND DEMOCRATIC PLATFORM.
HI 4

MIL
We, the representatives Of the
Democratic Party of Maryland, in
convention assembled, declare our
LOYALTY to those great fundamental
principles OF free government upon
which our State and National Gov
eminent were founded.
At the base of free government is
the equality of all citizens before
the law. with the collective will, eX-
dressed at free and fair elections, as
the rightful source of all political
mower: and we specifically reanrm
ar belief i'm the sovereignty OF the
naon1a whose will, lawfully express
"a should be made effective by law
and anplied in the conduct OF gov
eminent. -.
We declare also that freedom OF
religion. freedom of the press, and
education of the people are lndls-
nansable. safeguards of free govern
rnant. and we hold that life, liberty
nronerty and contracts are funda-
mental rights of the people, invio-
1ahIv to be preserved, and Of which 20
ona even the humblest person
should he deprived but by the law OF
the land.
While we declare our firm allie
glance to the preservation OF every
right of individual liberty under the
law. we declare that public peace and
nuhlic order are absolute and essen
tial conditions of free governments
and we, therefore, will oppose VIII
our utmost power the FORCES ol us
order and lawlessness, from what
Whlcn
are unhappily mapifesting themselves
in MANY parts of the country. The
supremacy of the Constitution and
the laws made i'm pursuance Thereon
are the best and wisest guarantees
OF the rights, liberty and happiness
of all the people, and al movements
seeking by force, threats, 8E Brganlz-
ed popular eIamoF to ayeFthFe# Or
s1.,F's.Ilt these guarantees are at
tempts to destroy the American sys-
tenn of representative government
organized and established by the
ConstitutiGa.
We endorse the course OF .that
great statesman, Woodrow wilson,
who, with matchless courage anu
saeacity has applied the eternal prlll-
n;pJae of free government to the mo-
mentions social and economic ques-
lions which have in the recent years
come upon us to tense our ndIloAdl
life and test our patriotism.
The Democratic Party, through us
control nf both the executive and
legislative branches of the Natlonal
Government from 1913 to 1919, has
kent mace in it's public acts with the
oil
American people. Its CONSTRUCTIVE
1agie1ation touching the social well
fare. industrial progress and banking
system of our country brought us 10
the fateful days of April, 1917,
e+ronp nrosperous and resourcetul,
and enabled us. as a united and
sniritad neople. to crown with victory
the cause of liberty in the greatest
war in the history of the world.
We take pride in the way in which
the Democratic war administration,
founded in deep patriotism, called
to it's service, regardless of party,
those men whose training and eX-
narience made them necessary I'm the
mobilization of the country's entire
resources. AS result, a great army
was assembled with remarkable
speed. trained and transported across
tha seas equipped to strike the final
blows for genuine liberty in the
world a. year before Europeans be-
lieyed it possible. Largeness OF ex
nenditure in the accomplishment OIL
rnrh q result was a national econ
onnv as we'll as the motive force OF
a national triumph.
In contrast with Democratic per-
Torrance. we call attention to the
course of the Republican Congress-
which during the months of its com
plete legislative control has failed TO
rise above petty partisan politics,
and i'm consequence, has failed to
respond to the imperative legislative
needs of the American people touch
ing the varied problems Of recon-
struction of the nations industrial
life which press upon us for 1mme-
date solution to preserve our coun-
try and our government.
We indorse the efforts Of President
Wilson to gain recognition for the
principle that controversies among
nations should be settled by peace
able means, and we give our whole
hearted support to the Treaty OF
Peace drafted at the Peace Confer
, ance at Versailles, including the
League of Nations, which is part
of that agreement
We remind the people OF the state
of the redemption by the Democratic
Party, under the administration OF
Governor Harrington, OF the pledges
made by us in the platform or 1919
The Budget Amendment has been
adopted. Continuing appropriations
have been abolished, and Legislative
EXPENSES greatly reduced. Useless
offices have been eliminated, the
membership of the State Roads Com
mission reduced, and the ConserVa-
ton Commission has been formed
The State Law Department, under
\ the Attorney General, has been Great
cd, and special counsel to State
boards and commissions abolished
4 uniform system of accounting has
been inaugurated. The envelope
system has been abolished, ana
snecial registration day before p11-
mary elections provided In the
counties. The Home Rule law mas
BEEN passed. The system OF gooc
roads has been maintained and en-
larged. The agricultural resources
Of the State have been developed anc
the State College of Agriculture re,
organized. The public school system
has been improved. A State BoarG
Of Prison Control has been created
and the way cleared for the aDollsh-
-c a+ron IQIhnr