Democratic Platform

The platform adopted by the Democratie state convention reaffirms the Chicago platform, favors a vtgorouí prosecution of the war with Spain in the interests of the nation, congr lates the nation on the volunteer tro and especially ïhose from Michigan favors equality in taxation and in that corporations and accumulated wealth should bear their just share of taxation, favors the initiative, endorses Congressmen Brucker and Todd umi says: "We cali attention to the fact that I when the Democratie party came into power in this state in 1891, for the time in many years, it promptly inaugurated measures looking to the equal and just taxation of railroad and other corporations. It passed a law compelling railroads to carry passengers at 2 cents per mile, which has been sustained by the Supreme court of the state; it established a franchise fee foi corporations, which has produced large revenues; it restricted the right of consolidation of competing railroads; it inaugurated the first Austr-ilian ballot law ever enacted in Uve state, designed to prevent the coerción of the voesj of workingmen by corporate agent; ir enacted the first pra'ctical and effeetiv law for the protection of mechanics' liens;itrepealed the Jaw which practicaily exempted mining companies froaj taxation, and compelled them to pay their just share of taxes. "It introduced business methods in all branches of the state government by which the people were béttar served at rauch less expense than any prior 01 subsequent administration. „ 4-V 1 "We promise a continuance uj. mm work. We believe and conficlently assert that the record of the Republican party in this state precludes its support oï any measures not satisfactory to the combinations of capital, which have been the chief developmönt of ita 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 permissable extortion by tixing a maximum charge for frelght and passenger service, and conipel reeognition of the public rights by the holder of every franchise. "We demand a strict supervisión oL telegraph, telephone, express and other corporations using similar privileges, that their charge for service sball lxheld within reasonable limits and the risrhts of patrons vigorously prottcted. "We condemn the Republican party of Michigan for its machine inethods, and its subserviency Co corporate wealth, by which in the last legislature it cantrolled the state señale and through which it boasted that ;:i the future all attempts to eiuaiize taxes or impose just burdens upon corporations shall be defeated. We appeal to the people of this state to select a Democratie legislature in both branches and thus guarantee reforms on these important questions."