Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 34, Number 74, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 May 1902 — INDIANA REPUBLICAN PLATFORM. [ARTICLE]

INDIANA REPUBLICAN PLATFORM.

THE Republicans of Indiana, in convention assembled, hereby make declaration of the following party principles: A Zj 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. t * 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. 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 name and services are a part of the splendid and enduring history of the republic. In the death of Gen. 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. Gen. 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 Gov. James A. Mount. His personal life and character, his patriotic services as a soldier in the war for the Union nnd his unselfish loyalty to his commonwealth make his name one of reverent and grateful memory. ADMINISTRATION IS INDORSED. • We cordially indorse 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 proad 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 arc gratified that Cuba will soon pass to the control of her own people and that a new republic has arisen upon the ruins of monarchy. We favor just and liberal reciprocal relations between the United States and the republic of Cuba, which by the valor of American arms and the wisdom of American statesmanship is added to the family of nations. We approve the course of the administration 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 secretlj- 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 Philippines and the erection of_ciyil government therein. We insist that the people of the islands shall be given Increased participation in the administration of their domestic affairs as they shall demonstrate intelligence aud capacity for self-government. * OPPOSED TO TRUSTS AND COMBINATIONS. Wo 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. W'e - 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 demandthat -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 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 as from time to time are required by changing conditions, 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 o± American industry and commerce since its adoption. We are gratified that Republican diplomacy .has secured the abrogation of the ClaftonJJulwer treaty, enabling the government to proceed with the construction 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 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 undesirable immigrants whose presence menace our citizensnip or injure our wage workers. RECOGNIZE OBLIGATIONS DUE THE SOLDIERS. 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 madp. 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. Jcpaid by the United States more than $600,000, balance due The 'StatpfpFjnoney"aavancea mTer paTnbtiCnefßJTWW — preserve the integrity of the republic, ■»' The Republican prrty of Indiana indorses the conduct of its Senators and Representatives in the Congrggs of the nation, and. is proud of the ability shown, and the conspicuous- a ml < »>nteilling pa rt "taken- liy eaohdn shaping legislationbringing added glory au^'honor .to the State they- sn ably represent. The administration of the State’s affairs fiy Gov. Winfield T. Durbin has been one of marked success. Devoted to.thcobest interests of all the people of the commonwealth, he.hiis the hearty indorsement of the Republicans of Indiana. Bringing to discharge of the duties of. chief executive the experience of a successful business life, he-has diligently and steadily labored to place the financial managenrent -of all the departments along the lines of most careful accountings and competent, conservative control. The supervision of State instl- - turions has been exceedingly faithful. His appointments on boards of control have! been of a superior. a ml 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. MANAGEMENT of STATE INSTITUTIONS COMMENDED. management'of ihe 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 responsibility to the people of the common wen! th. It believes tlie 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 af»State government is the most economical and efficient that has evpi» beep (■stabfished.- The party takes especial pride in the financial record made by AS efficient officers since taking control of the executive department. Siucenhat time ihe party has established just fee and salary laws; the tax levy has been reduced; the State debt has been decreased over one-half, and the present administration will further 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 atid non-partisan, until Indiana leads the advance in the progressive movement for the alleviation of the unfortunate classes committed to her care. REPUBLICAN LEGISLATIVE POLICIES. The legislative policies nnd 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 other combinations, but will maintain and preserve the right of lawful competition and the supremacy of the laws over all corporations and monopollen. The laws 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 every 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 n 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 and 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 as a witness to the appreciation of a grateful people.