Rensselaer Journal, Volume 11, Number 48, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 May 1902 — THE PLATFORM [ARTICLE]

THE PLATFORM

Principles Upon Which the Republican Party in Indiana Stands. The Republicans of Indiana, In convention assembled, hereby make declaration of the following party principles: We cordially afHrm the platform adopted by the Republican national convention at Philadelphia in 1900, and pledge anew our adherence to the principles therein enunciated. The party Is to be congratulated that It enters the campaign united and harmonious. We view with pleasure the unprecedented measure of prosperity which prevails throughout. Indiana and the entire country, the rich fruit of Republican policies and Republican administration; and we deprecate every effort to overthrow the laws and the administration under which such results are accomplished. We mourn the death of Our great leader and president, Wllliain McKinley. He was an Ideal citizen, a statesman of profound wisdom, a patriot of the most exalted purpose. He was beloved beyond all others by all the people. The country under his administration attained a degree of unparalleled prosperity and won the highest prestige among the nations of the earth. The civilized world shares in our sorrow. His nnroe and services are a part of the splendid and endnring history of the republic. In the death of General Benjamin Harrison the nation has lost a brave soldier and one of Its purest, wisest and most trusted statesmen, and Indiana her most Illustrious citizen. General Harrison left to his country a rich legacy of good deeds done. We revere his memory and mourn his loss. The Republicans of Indiana express their profound sorrow upon the death of Governor James A. Mount. His personal life and character, his patriotic services as a soldier in the war for the Union and his unselfish loyalty to his commonwealth make his name one of reverent and grateful memory. We cordially endorse the able and patriotic administration of President Roosevelt. Succeeding to the presidency under tragic circumstances and pursuing the policy of his Illustrious predecessor, he at once won the confidence and approval of the American people. We are proud of his courage, his purity and his devotion to the Interests of the entire country, and pledge him the earnest support of the Republicans of Indiana in all his efforts to continue and advance the prosperity of the people at home and the glory of the republic abroad. We are gratified that Cuba will soon pass to the control of her own people and that a new republic has arisen upon the ruins of monnrchy. We favor just and liberal reciprocal relations between the United States and the republic of Cuba,, which by tne valor of American arms and the wisdom of American statesmanship is added to th« family of nations.

We approve the course of the admins trntion in establishing peace and civil gov ernment in the Philippines. We oppose .those who continue to resist the authority of the United States, whether openly in arms in the or secretly or openly in the United States, in sympathy with the insurgents. We hold to the doctrine that American sovereignty must be respect, ed withln«the United States and all territory under its Jurisdiction. We favor the establishment of absolute peace in the Philppines and the erection oi civil government therein. We Insist that the people of the islands shall be glveD Increased participation In the administration of their domestic affairs as they shall demonstrate intelligence and capacity so» •elf-government. We are opposed to all trusts or combinations of capltnl whose purpose or effect Is to restrict business or control prices.. And we especially denounce those whose tendency is to increase the cost of living and the necessaries of life. We favor legislation to prevent such abuses. We approve the sincere and determined effort of President Roosevelt to enforce the laws against illegal combinations in restraint of trade, and demand that administrative state and national, shall enforce all laws In the most vigorous manner, so that legitimate competition shall not be embarrassed or destroyed. We adhere to the policy -nf protection. Under it our Industries have developed and the opportunities of labor have been increased and wages maintained at a higher rate than would have been otherwise possible. We favor the extension of our markets through carefully guarded reciprocity arrangements with other countries wherever It can be done without "Interrupting our home production.” While we favor such modifications of tariff schedules from time to time are required by changing conaltlons, we insist that such changes shall be made in line with the fundamental principle of protection. Our faith in the gold standard has been amply Justified by the wonderful strides of American industry and commerce since its adoption. We are gratified that Republican diploml acy has secured the abrogation of the Clay-ton-Bulwer treaty, enabling the-government to proceed with the construction of a ship danai between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans under the authority of the United States and the protection of our flag. We favor the most stringent national and state legislation to suppress anarchy. W e approve the enactment by congress of legislation which will debar Chinese from gaining admission to the United States to the injury of American labor, and we demand the enforcement of Immigration laws which shall exclude all, unworthy and immigrants whose presence menace our citizenship or injure our wage workers. We recognize as a continuing obligation the debt of gratitude due from the republic to the soldiers and sailors whose valor saved the life of the nation, and those who

won giory ror Tts nag in Mexico, m tne Sff Vf,ts i Bpa,n> ,n the Philippine* and In China. A proper recognition of this sacred obligation demands that liberal provision be made by pensions for the disabled survivors of these veterans, and the widows and helpless orphans of those who are dead. We are gratified that through a Republican congress and a Republican administration Indiana will soon be repaid by the United States more than *600,000, balance due the state for money advanced in her patriotic efforts to preserve the intevrltv of the republic. * r The Republican party of Indiana Indorses the conduct of Its senators and representatives In the congress of the nation, and is proud of the ability shown, and the conspicuous and controlling part taken by each In shaping legislation and bringing added glory and honor to the state they so ably represent. The administration of the state’s affairs by Governor Winfield T. Durbin has been one of marked success. Devoted to the best Interests of all the people of the commonwealth, he has the hearty Indorsement of the Republicans of Indiana. Bringing to the discharge of the duties of chief executive the experience of a successful business life, he has diligently and steadily labored to place the financial management of all the departments along the lines of most careful accountings and competent, conservative control. The supervision of state institutions has been exceedingly faithful. His appointments on boards of control have been of a superior and representative character, and his efforts have been earnest and careful toward the very highest efficiency both as to management and the letter and spirit of the laws. In the management of the state’s financial affairs the Republican party believes that the state government is like any great business Institution, considered from the standpoint of accountability and responslDiiity to the people of the commonwealth. It believes the humblest taxpayer Is an Interested stockholder In the financial affairs of the state’s business, and that Inefficiency, indifference or waste In public administration, expenditures or accountings Is a crime; and It believes that the present system of state government is the most economical and efficient that has ever been established. The party takes especial pride In the financial record made by Its efficient officers since taking control of the executive department. Since that time the party has established just fee and salary laws* the tax levy has been reduced; the state debt has been decreased over one-half, and th present administration will furthr reduce the debt more than *2,000,000, leaving the state free from any debt maturing prior to 1915.

During this time the state has established a soldiers’ home, where the soldier veteran and jits wife may find comfort and care; and the orphans of the soldiers and sailors are likewise cared for, educated and fitted for the duties of life at their home at Knlghtstown. In addition, during this time, the reformatory and benevolent Institutions have been enlarged and extended the management is humanitarian and nonpartlsan, until Indiana leads the advance in the progressive movement for the alleviation of the unfortunate classes committed to her care. The legislative policies and measures of the party In enacting laws for the protection and benefit of labor, ana laws regulating county and township business, have proven successful and are an earnest of other advances and reforms which the party will give to the commonwealth from time to time when needed. We pledge the people that the Republican party will not confer special privileges on railway or cither combinations, but will maintain and preserve the right of lawful competition and the supremacy of the laws over all corporations and monopolies. The iaws touching the garnishment of wages should be revised. And the laws for the protection of miners must be observed and enforced. The Republican party demands the adoption and enforcement of proper laws regulating nominations, securing to cverr man the right to express his choice for the candidate of the party to which he belongs, whether the nominations are made by a direct primary or a delegate or mass convention. The state central committee Is Instructed to prepare and adopt suitable and proper rules and regulations which shall In the future govern, the mode and manner of the selection of delegates to state, congressional and legislative conventions. The completion of the monument, raised and dedicated to the soldiers and sailors of Indiana, is a tribute to the heroism nnd valor of the brave men of this state whose services and sacrifices preserved the republic and rendered possible the present happiness and glory of the nation. It will stand ns a witness to the appreciation of a grateful people.