Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-06-30
Text Of Platform Adopted at the New York Convention
Mining

Mining is one of the basic indus
tries of this country. We produce
more coal. iron, copper and silver
than any other country The value
of our mineral production Is second |
only to agriculture. Mining has suf-
tered like agriculture and from the
came causes. It is the duty OF our
government to foster this industry
and to remove the restrictions that
destroy its prosperity.
Regulation OF Corporations Con-
trolling Necessities OF Life
we pledge the Democratic Party
to regulate by governmental agencies
the anthracite coal industry and all
other corporations controlling the
necessaries of life where public well
fare has been subordinated to priv
ate interests.
Merchant Marine
The Democratic Party condemns
the vacillating policy OF the Repub-
Iican administration in its failure to
develop an American nag shipping
policy. There has been a marked
decrease in the volume or American
commerce carried in American ves-
sells as compared to the record I'M
der q Democratic administration.
We oppose as illogical ana I'M
HQuuQ all Gl1OIt0 ~ ONSAN0AA6 ~ -
sides the handicaps to American
shipping and commerce imposed by
Republican policies.
We condemn the practice OF GER
tain American railroads in favoring
foreign ships and pledge ourselves
to correct such Determinations. we
declare for an Americana wned ymer-
chant marine, American built and
manned by American crews winch
is essential for naval security In war,
and is a protection 20 the American
farmer and manufacturer against
excessive ocean freight charges on
products of farm and factory.
We declare the government should
own and operate such ships as WV
insure the accomplishment OF these
purposes and to continue sucn oper-
alton SO long as it may be necessary
without sobstructing the developmept
and growth of privately owned
american flag shipping.
Education
We believe with Thomas Jefferson
and other founders of the republic
that ignorance is the enemy of free
dom and that each state being re-
sponsible for the intellectual and
moral qualifications of its citizens
and for the expenditure OF moneys
collected by taxation for the sup
port of its schools, shall use its SOW
ereign right in all matters pertain
ing to education. The federal gov
eminent should offer to the states
such counsel. advice and aid as may
be made available through the red
eral agencies for the general I'M
provement of our schools in view or
our national needs.
Civil Service
We denounce the action of the
Republican administration in its vio-
lations of the principles of civil serv-
ice by it's partisan removals and man.
ipulation of the eligible lists In the
post office department and other
governmental departments; by It's
packing the civil service commission
so that that commission became the
servile instrument of the admins
tration in it's wish to deny to the
ex-service men their preferential
rights under the law and the evasion
of the requirements of the law with
reference to appointments in the de-
partment.
We pledge the Democratic party
faithfully to comply with the spirit
as well as the regulation of the civil
service; to extend its provisions to
internal revenue officers and to other
employees of the government not in
executives positions, and to secure to
ex-service men preference in such
appointments.
Postal Employees
We declare in favor of adequate
salaries to provide decent livings for
postal employees.
Popular Elections
We pledge the Democratic Party
to a policy which will prevent mem
bers of either house who fail of re-
election from participating in the
subsequent sessions of congress.
This can be accomplished by fixing
the days for converting the congress
after the biennial ma
tional election; and to this end We
favor granting the right to the peo-
pie of the several states to vote on
proposed constitutional amendments
on this subject.
Probation
We favor the extension of the
probation principle to the courts of
the United States.
Activities of Women
We welcome the women OF the |
nation to their rightful place by the /
side of men in the control of the
have always shared.
The Democratic Party congratu-
lates them upon the essential part |
which they have taken in the pro-
gress of our country and the zeal
with which they are using their po-
litical power to aid the enactment |
Of beneflcent laws and the exactions
Of fidelity in the public service.
Veterans of Wars
We favor generous appropriations,
honest management and sympathetic
care and assistance in the hospitali-
zation rehabilitation and compensa-
ion of the veterans of all wars and
heir dependents. The humanizing
IF the Veterans Bureau is impera-
lively required.
Campaign Contributions
The nation now knows that the
predatory interests have by supply
ng Republican campaign funds sys-
purchased legislative ia
fors and administrative immunity.
rhe practice must stop; our nation
must return to honesty and decency
n politics. Elections are public af-
airs conducted for the sole purpose
II ascertaining the will of the SOW
reign voters. Therefore, we de-
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