Democratic Platform

"The Demoeracy of Micliigan in state convention asseinbled hereby reafflrms its Ioyalty and devotion te the platform adopted at Chicago ín 1896, THE WAR WITH SPAIN. "We favor a vlgoroüs prosecutlon of the war witli Spain, which was begun n ml 1s being waged ín the int.erests of humanity. and for tlie extensión of politlcal freedoni. We urgf the most liberal supply of modera arms to our soldiers, and the utinosl energy in their equipment. We declare our convietion tiiat there shoulO be no cessation of effort until every righteous purpose shall have been ach ie ved. "We congratúlate the nation upon the skill and valor of its defenders and the prompt and effective response to the eall for troops; espeeially do we teel just pride in the high charaotei and earnestness of the brave men ol Michigan who in the volunteer service have reflected such creilit upon om comrnonwealth. EQUALITY IN TAXATION. "We are in favor of equality in taxation. We insist that corporations and accumulated wealth should pay theit just share of the burden of taxation. UXEQUALLED RECORD OF ECONOM1' AND REFORM. "We call attention to the f&ct that when the Democratie party carne inte power in this state in 1891, for the first time in niany years, it promptH Inaugurated measures looking to the equal and just taxation of railroad and other corporations. It passed a law compelling railroads to carry pas sengers at two cents per mile. which has been sustained by the Supremo Court of the state; it established a franchise fee for corporations, which has produeed large revenues; it restricted the right of consolidation oí competing railroads; it inaugurated the flrst Australian ballot law ever enacted in the state, designed to prevent the coerción of the votes of workingmen by corporate agents; it enacted the first practical and effective law for the protection of mechantes' liens; it 'epealed the law which practically exempted mining companies from taxation, and compelled them to pay theii just share of taxes. It introduced business methods in all branches .! the state government by which the people were better served at much less expense than any prior or subsequent administration. TAXATION AND CORPORATIONS. "We promise a continuance of this work. We believe and eonfidently assert that the record of the Republican party in this state precludes its support of any measures not satisfactory to the combinations of capital wThieh have been the ehief development of its policy. We demand the passage of state laws which shall keep the control of corporate action at all times in the hands of the people and place a limit to permissible extortion by fixing a maximum charge for freight and passenger service, and compel recognitio'i of the public rights by the holder of every franchise. We demand a strict t-upervision of telegfaph, telephone, express and other corporations using similar privileges, that their charges for service shall be held witliin reasonable limits. and the rights of patrons vigorously protected. REPUBLICANISM ARRAIGNED. "We condemn the Republican party of Michigan for its machine methods and its subserviency to corporate wealth, by which, in the last Ijegislature, it controlled the state senate and through which it boasted that in the future all attempts to equalize taxes or impose just burdens upoñ corporations shall be defeated; we appeal to the people of the state to select a Democratie Legislature in both branches, and thus guarantee reforms on those important questions. DIRECT LEGISLATION. "We favor a constitutional provisión by which the eleetors may initiate legislaron- and at the polls pass upon sneh laws as effect the right of the Citizen and the taxpayer. OUR REPRESENTATIVES IN CONGRESS. "We are espeeially pleased to congratúlate the Demoeracy of Michigan that wbile our party delegation in Congress from this state is small in numbers, it is legión in ability and iraswerving devotion to the people, and on this occasion it is emineutly fitting that the uneeasing zeal and aggressive efforts of Hou. Ferdinand Brucker and Hon. Albert M. Todd in behalf of the toiling millious be cordially commeuded."