For Honest Government

FOR HONEST GOVERNMENT

Principles that Appeal to Every Patriotic Citizen

Platform Adopted by the Democratic State Convention in Detroit July 31, 1902

We, the representatives of the Democracy of Michigan in convention assembled, realizing that the people of the state are face to face with a crisis in which the honor and welfare of the commonwealth of its citizens are at stake, do hereby proclaim the following declaration of principles:

We hold that when government of, by and for the people, has been destroyed by the seizure of the political machinery of the dominant party by men who use power of government so gained to further only selfish and mercenary ends, as in Michigan to-day, the first duty of the patriot is to wrest this power from its unworthy possessors and restore it to the people.

We therefore declare the supreme issue in this state, at this time, to be the destruction of boss rule, the restoration of political power to the people, and its employment for the good of all instead of for the advantage of a few.

To this end we pledge the Democratic party to the following reforms:

It is a matter of common knowledge that the state administration secured place and power two years ago only by gross corruption and the manipulation of caucuses and nominating conventions, and again this year similar methods have been employed to secure its continuance in power. Therefore, such a reform of the primary nominating system that the people shall be the supreme and final arbiters of nomination to office is imperative.

To this end we are in favor of legislation by which primary elections of all parties for the direct nomination of candidates shall be held at the same time and places under the supervision of public officials and regulated by law.

The right of local self-government is fundamental and must be preserved by the repeal of the so-called ripper legislation and by constitutional amendments limiting the power of the legislature over municipalities and guaranteeing home rule.

The election of United States senators by direct vote of the people.

The adoption of the system known as the initiative and referendum, with the imperative mandate.

Equal taxation and equitable assessments throughout the state so that the humblest citizen shall pay no more in proportion than the most powerful public service corporation.

And we condemn the present administration for its abuse of the state tax law and manipulation of the state tax commission in behalf of the Michigan Central railroad and other powerful corporations, as openly charged by well-known Republicans.

We denounce the profligate expenditure and waste of the people's money, which has resulted in the increase of the state tax from $1,443,000 in 1891, to $3,188,000 in 1901, at a rate more than seven times as great as the increase in population during the same period.

Since the state will shortly be confronted by a claim for damages made by the Michigan Central Railroad Company and involving many millions of dollars, we insist that the defense of the people's rights can not safely be left to the present administration, which is notoriously friendly to its interests and subject to its control.

We are in favor of adequate compensation for state appointees for honest and faithful service, but we are opposed to such appointees traveling the state at public expense, ostensibly doing service for the state but in fact manipulating caucuses and conventions in the interest of the administration which appointed them.

And we pledge the nominees of this convention, if elected, to correct such abuses.

We favor the principle of municipal ownership of public utilities, subject to the referendum.