Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 34, Number 69, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 April 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 affirm 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, William McKinley. He was an ideal citizen, a statesman of profound wisdom, a patriot of the most exalted purpose. Ho was beloved beyond all other® by all the people. The country nnder hie administration attained a degree of unparalleled prosperity and won the highest prestige among the nations of the earth. The civilised world shares In our sorrow. His name and eervlces are a part of the splendid and enduring history of the republic. In the death of General Benjamin Harrl eon the nation has lost a brave soldier and one of Its purest, wisest and most trusted statesmen, and Indiana her most Illustrious eltlaen. General Harrison left to hie 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 desth 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 hla commonwealth make his name one of reverent and grateful memory. We cordially endorse the able and patrl otle administration of President Roosevelt. Succeeding to the presidency under tragic elrcomstances and pursuing the policy of hla lllustrlons predecessor, be at once won the confidence and approval of the American people. We are proud of his courage, hla purity and hla devotion to the Interests of the entire country, and pledge him the earnest, support of the Kepubllcana of Indiana In all hla efforta 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 tb-t a new republic has arisen upon the ruins of monarchy. We favor Just and libera) reciprocal relatione between the United States and the republic of Cuba,, which by the valor of American arms and the wisdom of American atatesmansblp la added to the family of nation*

We approve the course of the admins(ration In establishing peace and civil government in the Philippines. We oppose those who continue to resist the authority of the United States, whether openly in arms in the Philippines or secretly or openly in the United States, In sympathy with the insurgents. We hold to the doctrine that American sovereignty must be respected within the United States and all territory under its jurisdiction. We favor the establishment of absolute peace*in the Philppines and the erection of civil government therein. We Insist that the people of the islands shall be given intereased participation in the administration of their domestic affairs as they shall demonstrate intelligence and capacity for seif-government. We are opposed to all trusts or combinations of capital 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 officers, 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 of protection. Under it our Industries have developed and the opportunities of labor have been increased and wages malutalned at a higher rate than would have been otherwise possible. We favor the extension of our market* 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 as from time to time are required by changing conditions, we insist that such changes shall be made in line with th 4 fundamental principle of protection. Our faith in the gold standard has been amply justified by the wonderful strides of American Industry and commerce slnca its adoption. We are gratified that Republican diplomacy has secured the abrogation of the Clay-ton-Bui wer treaty, enabling the government to proceed with tbe constructlon of a ship canal 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. We approve the enactment by congres* 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 unwqrthy and undesirable 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 glory for its flag in Mexico, in the recent war with Spain, in the Philippines 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 integrity of the republic. 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 com petent, conservaHvecontrol. 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 ths standpoint of accountability and responsibility 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 his 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 Knightstown. In addition, during this time, the reformatory and benevolent Institutions have been enlarged and extended, the management Is humanitarian and nonpartisan, until Indiana leads the advance in the progressive movement for the alleviation of the nnfortunate classes committed to her care. The legislative policies and measures of the party in enacting laws for the protection and benefit of labor, and 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 dther combinations, but will maintain and preserve the right of lawful competition and the supremacy of the laws over all corpora-, tlons and monopolies. The laws touching the garnishment <4 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 every mas the right to express his choice for the can didate of the party to which he belongs, whether the nominations are made by a direct primary or a delegate or mass cun vent lon. The state central committee Is Instructed to prepare and adopt suitable and propel rules and regulations which shall In th* future govern the mode and manner of th* selection of delegatee to state, congressional and legislative conventions. The completion of the monument, raised nd dedicated to the soldiers and sailer* of Indiana. Is a tribute to the heroism and valor of the brave men of this state when* services and sacrifices preserved the repub 11c and rendered possible the present hap pines* and glory of the nation. It will stand as a witness to the appreciation of a grateful people. _ . „