Jasper County Democrat, Volume 1, Number 28, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 October 1898 — THE STATE PLATFORMS [ARTICLE]

THE STATE PLATFORMS

**r Purpose* of Comparison the Declarations of the Republican and Democrat!* State Platforms on the Various Issues of the Campaign Are Herewith Given lu Parallel Columns, Arranged by Topics: DEMOCRATIC. REPUBLICAN.

We, the Democracy of Indiana, in convention assembled, now, as always, loyal to our country and our flag, affirm that the cause for which the United States is engaged in war with Spain is just and righteous. We recall with pride the early espousal and united and persistent support of this cause by the senators and representatives of the Democratic party in congress. We congratulate the country upon the universal patriotic uprising which has swept away the last vestige of sectionalism, and revealed us to tlie world as a united peo- i pie. We rejoice in the heroic deeds of Dewey, Bagley, Hobson, and their brave comrades, which have added new luster to the American name. We demand, now, as heretofore, the most vigorous prosecution of the war until it shall have ended in vindication of the national honor, the absolute relinquishment by Spain of possession or control of any part of the western hemisp ere, and the formal acknowledgment by that kingdom of the independence of the Cuban republic. We favor the prompt recognition by the United States of; uch independence as a war measure, ; *• das an act of justice to a brave peo- t struggling for freedom. We urge unediate increase of the volunteer thv7u. four army and navy to any exioreest. ssary to assure speedy and detent Its, a n( j t ) ie appropriation of c^ IVe ’requisite for the adequate all the ftrfwt. , 1( j support, and for the equipment a. gallant soldiers and sail- ; comfort ot emr , flict against the public ors in armed can. etne duty of the hour enemy. I’he wp. erishing victims of is to relieve the p ’ secure the comopanish cruelty »uu » national arms, plete triumph of tbs q accomplished When this shall have b«b .f the Amerithe justice and wisdom <. usted to deal can people may be safely Cr. v grow out with all questions which rm, , c h a way of existing complications, in as, ir which as best to promote the object* h this republic was founded. _

the navy.-

While we sincerely deplore the necessity of war, we believe the president and congress acted wisely in demanding the complete withdrawal of Spanish sovereignty over the island of Cuba and in proceeding to enforce the demand with the military and naval power of the government. And now that our army and navy, through their splendid achievements, have blessed our nation with triumphs not excelled in the world’s history, rendering many names illustrious and immortal, and adding prestige and gl'Xv, limited only by civilization, to our great republic, the occasion is one of supreme gratitude to the great ruler of nations. We extend to the brave men on land and sea who have gone forth to battle for the glory of our flag and the cause of human liberty our deepest sympathy on account of the sacrifices they have made and the hardships they are called upon to endure, and our warmest praise for their unconquerable valor. We honor, congratulate and applaud our country’s heroes who have once more proved the matchless intelligence, devotion and courage of American manhood. They have Droved to the world that the United States is a nation, one and indivisible, without sections and without classes, whose purpose is “to deal justly, love mercy and walk humbly before God.” We commend Mr. McKinley’s conservative and patriotic course in earnestly hoping and negotiating for peace while yet prudently preparing for war. And we further express our most earnest approval of his vigorous prosecution of the war, ana our entire confidence in his ability to secure such terms of peace, now happily near at hand, as will advance human liberty and comport with the dignity and honor of the American people.

m „ • -th' We favor such a permanent etrenfe e! of the navy of tie IDnAted Slat ' and each improvements.’ of our systen of coast defenses as shall assure ade-. quate protection of theocnutry against I foreign aggression. (F

Having achieved its manhood, there* t public, under God, is entering upon its i greatest period of power, happiness and responsibility. Realizing the mightv ‘mure of wealth, prosperity and duty ‘ hich is even now upon us, we favor the extension of American trade, the refot rnat ’ on our consular system acrnrriin the encouragement by all leaitinik te mtans of the American merchant mi ri , ne ’ the creation of a navy as powerfu. la ® our commerce aha P extensive for ptbhc defense and security, and th, 0 establishment of coal* ing stations a. nd uaval rendezvous wherever necessa. *7-

PENSIONS.

The Democratic party of Indiana, now, as in the past, advocates liberal pensions as well to the disabled survivors of the Union army in the civil war, and their widows and orphans, as to the victims in the present Conflict, and those who may be upon them. We honor the valor of those who suffered for the flag in the gigantic centos*'of 1861-08, and of those who have gone forth to do battle in o f liberty and humanity.

We hold in undying honor the soldiers and sailors whowt valor saved the life of the nation, and thewd who were but recently called to arms in vindication of their country’s honor and the cause of human liberty. Just and liberal pensions to all deserving soldiers gre a sacred debt of the nation, and the widows and orphans of those who are dead are entitled to the care of a genarous and grateful people.

THE NICARAGUA CANAL.

t We are in favor of the construction and control of the Nicaragud»canal by this government, whey its feasibility shall have been determined; but we are opposed to a loan of the national credit to any private corporation for that purpose.

We most heartily approve of the annexation of the Hawaiian islands as a wise measure; we recommend the early construction of the Nicaraguan canal under the immediate direction and exclusive control of the United States ; government —the importance and necessity of the canal having been emphasized by recent events connected with the present war with Spain. •4 * • «*•' JV '“" •*-

THE FINANCIAL QUESTION.

WereatE.'in and emphasize the platform adopted by the national Democratic convention of 1896 at Chicago. We are in favor of the free and unlimited coinage of both gold and silver at £he>existiug ratio of 16 to 1, without the aid or consent of any other nation. We are unalterably opposed to the single gold standard, and'we specially protest against the declared purpose of the present Republican secretary of the treasury of"applying that policy more thoron g b ly. W e believ e t hat the practice of the treasury in paying treasury notes in gold only, in violation of law, and in surrendering the option of the government, reserved, by the statute, to pay in gold or silver, is chiefly responsible for the great money depression now, and for so long a period, existing in this country, is destructive of business -enter-, prise, dangerous to the pul ’iccredit and the prosp, rfty of the people, and a serious rnena.’i’ to the national honor.

The Republicans cf Indiana are uu- 1 reservedly for sound money, and are therefore opposed to the heresy to ■ which the Democratic party is wedded, i of the free and unlimited coinage of both gold and silver at the ratio of 16 to 1, which we regard as absolutely sure to debase our money and destroy our private and public credit, and cause general business disaster. \Ve the necessity of comprehensive and enlightened monetary legislation and believe that the declaration in the St. Louis national Republican platform for the maintenance of the gold standard and the parity of all our forms of money should be given rhe vitality of public law and the money of the American people should be made, like all its intitutions, Jho best in the world. We felicitate the Country on the ' fact, when in the exigencies of war it been jne necessary to issue $200,000,000 of government bonds to meet the extraordinary expenditures, a Republican administration had th? good sense and wisdom to fral tpe loan reach of the people, where it has been wholly absorbed, furnishing a splendid security for their Savings, awakening a i new interest in the permanency of our and the soundness of its finaiii’iftl system.

THE.INHERITANCE AND INCOM® TAXES.

We insist that ,the wealth of the country should bear Its just share of the ' public burdens. . For' that reason we j approve the inheritance tax recently adopted through the efforts ofthe Democrats in congress and we favor the principle and policy of an income tax. . The deinonitization of silver and the ' judicial denial of the power to tax in- i comes have materially impaired our resources for war purposes. We favor the reintposilion of an inedrne tax, so that the question, of its validity may be reviewed by the supreme court, • I

THE 7 Alt IFF.

We earneitly reassert the Democratic doctrine that all*lariff taxes shall be UM for revenue as their sole object and ?unX, aud we do at this time osdenounce and condemn the ggh prohibitory rates of the present Republican tariff, commonly called the

We especially oom mend the presidsn} amd congress for the prompt passage of ♦wise revenue law in accordance with the sound Republican doctrine of M* ciprocity and protection to American industries and home labor, and express our unbounded confidence In the beneficial results predicted for this measura bgr our party leaders, evidences of whta*

DEMOCRATlC—multiplied, the cost of the necessaries of life has been increased and the vtages ot labor have not been advanced, and which has entailed upon the country a deficit of mguy millions to be made up only by additional taxation in time of war, thus imposing, instead of a benefit, an onerous burden upon the people of the United States. ELECTION OF U We reaffirm and emphasize our repeated declarations in favor of the election of United States senators by the people.

—REPUBLICAN are daily accumulating in the way ot renewed business prosperity and ample revenue for ordinary governmental expenditures. We, therefore, reaffirm our belief in the doctrine of reciprocity and protection to American labor and home industries and condemn the Democratic doctrine of tariff for revenue only as unsound and unsuited to the best interests of the country, a doctrine the falsity of which has been demonstrated by our experience under the Wjtyon revenue bill that plunged the nation into commerdaland financial distress, from which it is fast recovering since the change from that Democratic policy. S. SENATORS.

LABOR.

We sincerely sympathize with organized labor in its efforts to adjust differences between the employer and employe. We denounce the incorporated trusts which have overcome these efforts by cruel and unjust methods and we favor a system of equal and disinterested arbitration as a means of adjustment of such differences. We take pride in the long list of laws enacted by Democratic legislatures for the benefit of the workingmen of the state, including the 8-hour labor law, the law prohibiting “plnck-me stores,” the repeal of the infamous Republican intimidation laws, the law prohibiting the importation of Pinkertons, the law prohibiting "blacklisting,’.’ the miners’ law providing for the proper ventilation of mines and the use of honest weights and screens; the law protecting workingmen in the right to organize for mutual defense, the co-employes’ liability law, the mechanics* lien law, the law prohibiting the forced collection of fees from employes of railroad corporations to sustain company hospitals, restaurants, etc., the law guaranteeing the civil rights of all citizens, and the law prohibiting the importation of paupers and aliens under contract into the state who have no purpose of becoming citizens thereof. We demand a more thorough enforcement of the 8-bour and other laws in the interest of labor by the public officials charged with that duty. We are opposed to the contract labor system in prison, but we believe that to maintain convicts in idleness is inhuman and unjustly burdensome to the people. We believe some plan should be devised for the profitable utilization of their labor without bringing it into competition with free labor. The projects for its employment under the public account system or in the construction of a ship canal connecting Lake Michigan with the Wabash river, or in some other enterprise of great public utility should be carefully considered and that plan which promises the best results and is open to the fewest objections should be adopted by the next legislature. We approve the child labor and factory inspection law, and favor such amendments to the same as shall render it more effective.

We favor the enactment and enforce* ment of laws restricting and preventing the Immigration of such undesirable foreign population as is prejudicial to free American labor, ■ -/if”':'I .s ■■. 4 4 r r '* ' ■ • w w -*■ • i - -Xi ■■- L - ..... •" k-

THE DEMOCRATIC TAX LAW.

We congratulate the taxpayers of Indiana upon the rapid decrease in the state debt, and beg to remind them that the revenues with which the payments thereon have been made and are being made result from the enforcement of the Democratic tax law of 1891, which was enacted by a Democratic legislature over Republican opposition and protest, which was assailed by a Republican state convention, denounced by Republican orators and the entire Republican press, but which was sustained in the highest court of the nation through the efforts of a Democratic attorney general. Every dollar mid on the state debt by Republicanotf icials is cumulative evidence of Cig stupidity, or worse, of the Republican organization in its bitter opposition to the law which made such payment possible, and which, since coming into power, they have made no effort to repeal. We also recall that a Democratic legislature enacted a law creating a sinking fund of 3 cents on the 1100, to be applied exclusively to the extinguishment of the state debt, and that under these laws the Democratic administration of Governor Matthews, in 1895 and 1896, set the pace by reducing the statq debt more than $2)000,000.

We commend the wise, prudent, patriotic and economical administration of Governor Mount and the Republican state officials, under which, with a reduction of 25 per centum in the state tax rate within the last 18 months, $920,000 of the state debt has been discharged ; an army of over 7,000 men has been equipped and placed in the field at an expense of over $200,000; the laws have been enforced and the name of Indiana honored throughout the land. ir. ■ ' r - - L rariL-* r ■ .1- e - .-erf

General state issues.

Yhe bemoers tic party feels a just pride in the other great legislative reforms it has accomplished for the people of Indiana and points to their continuing benefits as certain proof of their wisdom. We call attention to the Australian ballot law, enacted against Republican optxtsition and still having a great purifying effect on elections notwithstanding the Republican amendments lessening its safeguards; to the hoard of state charities law for the supervision and regulation of our penal and charitable institutions, to the school book law, by which the great school book trust has been driven from tne state, the price of the books med in public schools lias been reduced over one-half and the frequent changes in books, formerly so burdensome to the jieople and detrimental to the schools, have been prevented; to the tee and salary law and other great measures of reform which the state of Indiana owes to the Democratic party. We call attention to the rn ord of the last two h g'-h’.ttuys, each Republican in both branches, winch made searvely a law of material benefit to the people. BvUi RjSf? legislatures were marked by corruption and debauchery so scandalous that even Republican ni gons were driven ’o denounte them. They have to their credit the iniquitous social verdict law—made in ope and repealed in the. other; the present legislative gerrymander, by which tne senate is given 51 members, tn violation of the constitution; the antitrust law, inspired bv trust attorneys ami purposely made so worthless that Republican state officials dare not atleninl. to enforce it; an oppressive garnishee law, which undertook to deprive wajc<*-cuiDci s oX tiw. stutc of fheir couatitutiouai right of exemption: and the outrageous partisan measures to extend the term of the appellate judges, county superintendents and township trustees.

In 18U5-H7, for the first time since 1883, owing to the vicious system of enacting apportionment laws, whereby the minority might still control the majority, the Republican party found itself in condition to legislate for the state, and the laws that it wisely enacted and the other measures which it still morewisely refused to pass, constitute an epoch in legislation that is an enduring monument to faithfulness and intelligence of the party which the Fifty-ninth and Sixtieth general assemblies represented. Among the many wise and just measures of legislation that stand upon the statute books as the result of the labors of those two general assemblies, are the acts creating a labor commission; providing means for the settlement of disputes between employers and employes by arbitration; abolishing the prison contract system; taking convfjtl labor out of (opipelilioQ with free labor; providing for factory lhs]><’ct ; on and the protection of the lives and health of operatives and prohibiting the employment pf child lar bor; providing Safeguards in the auditing of public expenditures; complying with the constitutional mandate that the penal code should be founded on principles Of reformation and not of vindictive justice; providing for’he protection of the people against incompetent and inefficient professional men; making permanent in county and extending to state otfi. ials the. provision that officers shall lie paid according to their services, and not constitute a burden upon the people by reason of excessive fees and salaries; tnetaKiijg of the benevolent institutions out of Via purv’evv of partisan politics,whereby the poor and unfortunate wards of the state are assured competent and humane treatment; and above all, the enactment of an honest, fair and cqnatitutlonal anpdrtioumentlaw. T hese acts emphasize and 111 ust rate the intelligence and integri’y of the 50th and noth general assoml>l!a4,KHrt Vfe cofigratulate the Republican party and people of the state on their action.

PRIMARY ELECTION REFORM.

We are earnestly in favor Of leglslatioii.for the resuUlion and reform df priuiary elections. K.

We favor, as ft supplement to out present election law, the enactment by the next legi »- hiture of such,a primary election law as wf I secure, to tlie people a full and free express!’ • in the selection of their candidates for office

COUNTY AND TOWNSHIP GOVERNMENT.

We recognize the existence of grave defects in the laws governing counties ‘and townships of this state. We favor a complete and systematic revision of such laws to the end that public business may be transacted with greater efficiency and economy.

Believing that there is need of reform in county ana townsnip government, and that a vast saving of the public money can be made by better methods, we favor early and thorough revision of the laws upon this subject, t» die end that the people of Indiana may ha vs the best and most economical management of local affairs.

THE TRUANCY lAw.

* We favor such an amendment of the truancy law, which now requires a large and unnecessary expenditure of public moneys, so as to transfer the duties of such officials to township trustees, who shall perform the same without further compensation.

PERSONAL LIBERTY.

We adhere firmly to the teachings and practices of the Democratic party in favor of the largest measure of personal liberty consistent with public security and social order. We are opposed to all projects of legislative interference with, or regulation of, matters which lie within the domain of Individual judgment and conscience.