:
fv
I Adopted by the National Convention f
in Saint Louis. f
* *
H'4 HX I-H' H K-iM5 *
The Democratic party of the United
States , in national convention assembled ,
declares Us devotion to the essential prin
ciples of the Democratic faith which brings
us together in party communion.
Under them l > cal self-government and na
tional unity nud prosperity were alike es
tablished. They underlaid our independ
ence , the structure of our free republic and
every Democratic extension from Louisiana
to California and Texas to Oregon , which
preserved faithfully In all the States the
tie betvreen taxation and representation.
Thev yet inspire the masses of our people ,
guarding Jealously their rights and liberties
and cherishing their fraternity , peace and
orderly development.
They remind us of our duties and respon
sibilities as citizens and impress upon us ,
particularly at this time , the necessity of
reform and the rescue of the administra
tion or government from the headstrong ,
arbitrary and spasmodic methods which dis
tract business by uncertainty and pervade
the public mind with dread , distrust and
perturbation.
Fundamental Principles.
The application of these fundamental
principles to the living Issues of the day Is
the first step toward the assured peace ,
safety and progress of our nation. 1-ree-
doni ef the press , of conscience and of
speech equality before the law of all citi
zens ; right of trial by jury ; Ireedom of the
person defended by the writ of habeas
corpus ; liberty of personal contract untrammeled -
trammeled by sumptuary law. : ? ; supremacy
of the civil over military authority ; a well-
disciplined militia ; the separation of church
and State ; economy in expenditures ; low
taxes , that labor may be lightly burdened ;
prompt and sacred fulfillment of public and
private obligations ; fidelity to treaties ;
peace and friendship with all nations ; en
tangling alliances with none ; absolute ac
quiescence in the will of the majority , the
vital principle of republics these are doc
trines which Democracy has established
approved by the nation , and they should be
constantly invoked and enforced.
Capital and "Labor.
We favor the enactment and administra
tion of laws giving labor and capital Im
partially their Just rights. Capital and
labor ought not to be enemies. Each is
necessary to the other. Each has its rights ,
but the rights of labor are certainly no less
"vested , " no less "sacred" and no le&s
"Inalienable" than the rights of capital.
Constitutional Guarantees.
Constitutional guarantees are violated
whenever any citizen is denied the right to
labor , acquire and enjoy property or reside
where Interest or inclination may deter
mine. Any denial thereof by individuals ,
organizations or governments should be
Bummarily rebuked and punished.
We deny the right of any executive to
ilsregard or suspend any constitutional priv
ilege or limitation. Obedience to the laws
and respect for their requirements are alike
the supreme duty of the citizen and the
official.
The military should be used only to sup
port and to maintain the law. We un
qualifiedly condemn its employment for the
summarv banishment of citizens without
trial or "for the control of elections.
We approve the measure which passed
the United States Senate In 1S96 , but which
a Republican Congress has ever since re
fused to enact , relating to contempts in
Federal courts and providing for trial by
Jury in cases of indirect contempt.
Water Ways.
We favor liberal appropriations for the
care and improvement of the water ways
of the country. When any water way like
the Mississippi River is of sulScient im
portance to demand special aid of the gov
ernment such aid should be extended , with
a definite plan of continuous work until
permanent Improvement Is secured.
We oppose the Republican policy of starv
ing home development In order to feed the
greed for conquest and the appetite f&r
national "prestige" and display of
strength.
Economy of Administration.
Lar e reductions can easily be made in
the annual expenditures of the government
without Impairing the efliciency of any
branch of the public service , and we shall
insist "upon tue strictest economy and fru
gality compatible with vigorous and effi
cient" civil , military and naval administra
tion as a right of the people too clear to
be denied or withheld.
We favor honesty in the public service
and the enforcement of honesty in the pub
lic service , and to that end a thorough leg
islative Investigation of those executive de
partments of the government already
known to teem with corruption , as well as
other departments suspected of harboring
corruption , and the punishment of ascer
tained corruptionists without fear or favorer
or regard to persons.
The persistent and deliberate refusal of
both the Senate and the House of Repre
sentatives to penult such Investigation to
be made demonstrates that only by a
change in the executive and in the legis
lative departments can complete exposure ,
punishment and correction be obtained.
Contract -vvith Trusts.
We condemn the action of the Republican
party in Congress in refusing to prohibit
an executive department from entering
into contracts with convicted trusts or un
lawful combinations In restraint of Inter
state trade. We believe that one of the
best methods of procuring economy and
honesty in the public sen-ice is to have
public officials , from the occupant of the
White House down to the lowest of them ,
return as nearly as may be to Jeffersonlan
simplicity of living.
Executive Usurpation.
We favor the nomination and election of
a President , imbued with the principles of
the constitution , who will set his face
sternly against executive usurpation of leg
islative and Judicial functions , whether that
usurpation be veiled under the guise of ex
ecutive construction of existing laws or
whether it take refuge In the tyrant's
pleas of necessity or superior wisdom.
. . Imperialism.
We favor -preservation , so far as we
can , of an open door for the world's com
merce In the Orient without an unneces
sary entanglement in Oriental and Euro
pean affairs and without arbitrary , unlim
ited. Irresponsible and absolute government
anywhere within our jurisdiction. We op
pose , as fervently as did George Washing
ton himself , aa indefinite , irresponsible , dis
cretionary and vague absolutism and a pol
icy of colonial exploitation , no matter
where or by whom Invoked or exercised ;
we believe with Thomas Jefferson and John
Adams that no government has a right to
make one set of laws for those "at home"
and another and a different set of laws ,
absolute In their character , for those "in
the colonies. "
All men under the American flag are en
titled tos the protection of the Institutions
whose emblem the flag is : If they are Inher
ently unfit for those institutions then they
are inherently unfit to be members of the
American body politic. Wherever there
may exist a people Incapable of being gov
erned under American laws in consonance
with the American constitution that people
oupht not to be part of the American do
main.
Independence for Philippines.
We insist that we ought to do for the
? UIpinos what we have already done for
the Cubans , and it is our duty to make
that promise now and upon sultablu guar
antees cf protection to citizens of our own
and other countries resident there at the
time of our withdrawal , set the Filipino
people upon their feet , free and Independ
ent , to work out their own destiny.
The endeavor of the Secretary of War ,
by pledging the government's indorsement
for "promoters" In the Philippine Islands ,
to make the United /States / a partner in
speculative legislation of the archipelago ,
which was only temporarily held up by the
opposition of the Democratic Senators , in
the last session , will. If successful , lead
to entanglements from which it will be
difficult to escape.
Revision of Tariff.
The-Democratic party has been , and will
continue to bethe consistent opponent of
that < P.SS of tarlSt legislation by which
certain * interests have been permitted ,
through congressional favor , to draw a
heavy tributs-from the American people.
This nioustrcns perversion of those equal
opportunities , which our political Institu
tions were established to secure , has caused
what may once have been infant Industries
to become the greatest combinations of cap
ital that the world has ever known. These
especial favorites of the government have
through trust methods been converted into
monopolies , thus briniring to an end domes
tic competition , which was the only alleged
check upon the extravagant profits made
possible by the protective system.
These industrial combinations by the fi
nancial assistance they can give now control
the policy of the Republican party.
Denounce Protection.
We denounce protection as a robbery of
the many to enrich the few and we favor a
tariff limited to the needs of the govern
ment economically administered and &o
levied as not to discriminate against any In
dustry , class or section , to the end that
the burdens of taxation shall be distributed
as equally as possible.
We favor a revision and a gradual reduc
tion of the tariff by the friends of the
masses and for the common weal , nnd not
by the friends of Its abuses , its extortions
and its discriminations , keeping in view the
ultimate ends of "equality of burdens and
equality of opportunities. " and the consti
tutional purpose of raising a revenue by
taxation to-wlt , the support of the Fed
eral government In all Its integrity and
virility , but In simplicity.
Trusts and Combinations.
We recognize that the gigantic trusts
and combinations designed to enable capi
tal to secure more than its just s hare of
the Joint products of capital and labor and
which have been festered and promoted un
der Republican rule are u menace to bene
ficlal competition and an obstacle to per
manent business prosperity.
A private monopoly is indefensible and
intolerable. Individual equality of oppor
tunity and free competition are esseut ate
to a healthy and permanent commercial
prosperity , and any trust , combination or
monopoly tending to destroy these by con
trolling production , restricting competition
or fixing prices shoild be prohibited and
punished by law. We especially denounce
rebates ami discrimination by transporta
tion companies as the most potent agency
in promoting and strengthening these un
lawful conspiracies against trade.
Interstate Commerce.
We demand an enlargement of the pow
ers of the Interstate Commerce Commis
sion , to the end that the traveling public
end shippers of this country may have
prompt and adequate relief for the abuses
to which they are subjected in the matter
of transportation. We demand a strict
enforcement of existing civil and criminal
statutes against all such trusts , combina
tions and monopolies , and we demand the
enactment of such further legislation as
may be necessary to effectually suppress
them.
Any trust or unlawful combination en
gaged In Interstate commerce which is mo
nopolizing any branch of business or pro
duction should not be permitted to trans
act business outside of the State of its
origin. Whenever it shall be established
in any court of competent Jurisdiction
that such monopolization exists such pro
hibition should be enforced through com
prehensive laws to be enacted on the sub
ject.
Domes tic Development.
We congratulate our Western citizens
upon the passing of the law known as
the Newlands Irrigation act for the irriga
tion and reclamation of the arid lands of
the West ; a measure framed by a Demo
crat , passed In the Senate by a nonpartl-
san vote and passed In the House against
the opposition of almost all the Republican
leaders by a vote , the majority of which
was Democratic.
We call attention to this great Demo
cratic measure broad and comprehensive
as it is. working automatically throughout
all time without further action of Con
gress , until the reclamation of all the
lands in the arid West capable of recla
mation is accomplished , reserving the
land5 : rrc.ain'ed ft r komespel.f-r * 5 FBI ! !
trac's and rigidly guarding nsralnst land
monopoly as nn evidence of the policy of
domestic development contemplated by the
Democratic party should it be placed In
power.
Isthmian Canal.
The Democracy when Intrusted with
p wer will construct the Panama Canal
speedily , honestly and economically , there
by giving to our people what Democrats
have always contended for a great Inter-
oceanic canal , furnishing shorter and
cheaper line of transportation and broader
and less trammeled trade relations with
the other peoples of the world.
American Citizenship.
We pledge ourselves to insist upon the
Just nnd lawful protection of our citizens
at home and abroad and to use all proper
measures to secure for them , whether na
tive born or naturalized and without dis
tinction of race or creed , the eqaal protec
tion of laws and the enjoyment of all
rights and privileges open to them under
the covenants of our treaties of friendship
and commerce ; and if under existing treat
ies the right of travel and sojourn is de
nied to American citizens or recognition Is
withheld from American passports by anv
countries on the ground of race or creed ,
we favor the beginning of negotiations with
the governments of such countries to se
cure by treaties the removal of these un
just discriminations.
We demand that all over the world a
duly authenticated passport Issued by the
government of the United States to an
American citizen shall be proof of the fact
that he Is an American citizen and shall
entitle him to thr treatment due him as
such.
Election of Senators.
We favor the election of United States
Senators by the direct vote of the people.
Statehood for Territories.
We favor the admission of the territo
ries of Oklahoma and Inalan Territory.
We also favor the admission of Arizona
and New Mexico as separate States and a
territorial government for Alaska and Porto
to Rico.
We hold that the officials appointed to
administer the government of any terri
tory , as well as with the district of Alas
ka , should be bona fide res dents at the
time of their appointment of the territory
or district In which their duties are to be
performed.
Condemnation of Polygamy.
We demand the extermination of polyg
amy within the Jurisdiction of the United
States and the complete separation of
church and state in political affairs.
Merchant > Iarine.
We denounce the ship subsidy bill re
cently passed by the United States Senate
as an Iniquitous appropriation of public
funds for private purposes and a waste
ful. Illogical and useless attempt to ov iv
come by subsidy the obstruct- ! raised by
Republican legislation to the growth and
development of American commerce on the
sea.
sea.We favor the upbuilding of a merchant
marine without new or additional burdens
upon the people and without bounties from
the public treasury.
Reciprocity.
We favor liberal trade arrangements
with Canada and with peoples of other
countries where they can be entered Into
with benefit to American agriculture , man
ufactures , mining or commerce.
Monroe Doctrine.
We favor the maintenance of tbe 35on-
roe doctrine In its full Integrity.
We favor the reduction of the army and
of army expenditure to the pohrt historic
ally demonstrated to be safe and suffi
cient.
Pensions.
The Democracy would secure to thy SUF-
vlving soldiers and sailors and their de-
| pendents generous pensions , not by an ar
bitrary executive order , but by legislation
which a grateful people stands ready to
enact.
i Our soldiers , and sailors who defend with
- their lives the constitution and the laws
have u tacred interest In their Just ad
ministration. They must therefore share
with us the humiliation with which we
have witnessed the exaltation of court fa
vorites without distinguished service over
the scarred heroes of many Battles or ag
grandized by executive appropriations out
of the treasuries of n prostrate people in
violation of the act of Congress which fix
ed the compensation and allowances of
the military ofliceris.
Civil Service.
The Democratic party stands committed
to the principles of civil service reform ,
and we demand their honest , just and Im
partial enforcement.
We denounce the Republican party foi
Its continuous and sinister encroachments
upon the spirit and operation of civil ser
vice rules whereby it has arbitrarily dls
pensed with examinations fnr office lu tht
interest of favorites and employed all man
ner of devices to overreach and set asid1
the principles upon which the civil sex
vice was established.
School and Race Questions.
The race question has brought counties )
woes to this country. The calm wisdom 01
the American people should see to it tha ;
It brings no more.
To revive the dead and hateful race and
sectional animosities in any part of oui
"common country means confusion , distrac
tion of business and the reopening ol
wounds now happily healed. North , South ,
East and West have but recently stood to
gether In Hue of battle , frcin the walls of
Pekln to the hills of Santiago , end as
sharers of a common glory and a common
destiny we should share fn ternally the
common burdens.
We therefore deprecate and condemn the
bourbonllke selfish and narrow spirit of the
recent Republican convention at Chicago ,
which bought to kindle anew the embers
of racial and sectional strife , and we ap
peal from It to the sober common sense
and patriotic spirit of the American pee
ple.
Republican Administration.
The existing Republican administration
has been spasmodic , erratic , sensational ,
spectacular and arbitrary , it has made It
self a satire upon Congress , the courts and
upon the settled practices and usages of
national and international law.
It summoned Congress into hasty and
futile extra session and virtually adjourn
ed it , leaving behind its flight from Wash
ington uncalled calendars and unaccom
plished tasks.
It made war , which Is the sole power of
Congress , without Its authority , thereby
usurping one of its fundamental preroga
tives. It violated a plain statute of the
United States as well as plain treaty obli
gations , international usages and constitu
tional law , and has done so under pre
tense of executing a great public policy
which could have been more easily effect
ed lawfully , constitutionally and with
honor.
It forced strained and unnatural con
structions upon statutes , usurping judicial
interpretation and substituting Congres
sional enactment decree.
Congress in Background ,
It withdrew from Congress customary
duties iof investigation which have hereto
fore made the representatives of the people
ple and the States the terror of evildoers.
It conducted a secretive Investigation ol
Its own dnd lymsted of a few sample con
victs , while itf threw a broad coverlet over
the bureaus which had been their chosen
field of operative abuses and kept In power
the superior officers under whose adminis
tration the crimes had been committed.
It ordered assault upon some monopolies ,
but , paralyzed by Its first victory , it flung
out the flag of truce and cried out that It
would not "run amuck. " leaving its future
purposes beclouded by Its vacillations.
Conducting the campaign upon this dec
laration of our principles and purposes , we
Invoke for our candidates the support , not
only of our great and tlme-honered organi
zation , but also the active assistance of all
of our fellow citizens , who , disregarding
past differences upon questions no longer
In Issue , desire the perpetuation of our con
stitutional government as framed and es
tablished by the fathers of this republic.
HOTTEST SPOT ON EARTH.
Found on the Shore of the Persian
Gulf at nnd Around Bahrin.
"Death Valley , in Southern Califor
nia , is usually referred to as the hot
test spot on earth , but it isn't quite
that , " Ralph Erling tolls us. "This
rather unpleasant distinctions belongs
to a portion of the shore of the Persian j
Gulf at and in the vicinity of Bah-
rln. '
"Statistics prove that the mean an- i
mini temperature of the Persian Gulf j
furnace is 11 degrees higher than that
of Death Valley , and the aridness of
both places is about on a par , though
I am inclined to believe , if my recol
lection of the records is not blunted ,
that a little brackish water has been
found in a few isolated springs on the
alkali surface of Death Valley , where
as there is no water at all to be
found on the shore of the gulf any
where within a radius of nearly 200
miles.
"Yet while Death Valley is inhabit
ed by practically none and permanent
life there Is deemed well-nigh impossi
ble , Bahrin has a population of sev
eral thousand people and has had an
existence as a village for many ceu-
turies. Of course , the people are
stunted mentally and to a slightly less
extent physically , a fact due to the
fearful conditions under which they
live ; but they do live there , and are
probably the nearest approach to sala
manders In the human family. What
do they do for water and food ? Why
the latter is brought to them In boats
and sold in exchange for the fertilizer
they dig from the desert , and the lat
ter they have in fairly good abundance
near them. You thought I said there
was no water within several hundred
miles of the place. Well , so I did on
the land but there are a number of
fresh-water springs on the bed of the
saline gulf within a few hundred
yards from the shore.
"It is probably the only place on
earth where fresh drinking water is
secured from a salty sea. The water
gushes up in considerable volume from
these springs and is secured by divers.
The gulf is only about 30 feet deep
at this point The divers plunge to
the bottom with empty goatskins and
place the orifice of the skin bag di
rectly over the mouth of the spring.
It fills in a few seconds , and the diver
closes the orifice and is pulled back to
the boat by a rope. That is the way
the water supply for the community
on shore is secured. The springs are
supposed to be due to underground
streams which have their origin in the
green hills of Osman , over 500 miles
inland. " St Louis Globe-Democrat
The Japanese are encouraging the
growth of "real" pearls by forcing a
grain of sand into oysters and plant-
ng them until the pearl is formed by
a deposit around -the foreign substance
of .the material from which the shell
lining Is formed.
WARDUHINGA WEEK
RUSSIANS AND JAPS FIGHTMANY
MINOR ENGAGEMENTS.
Knroki's Army Takes Some Important
Places in Its Advance , but It Has
Met with Plenty of Fighting Rainy
Season Retards Campaign.
At the beginning of last week , ac
cording to the Chicago Tribune's war
strategist , Gen. Oku , with 80,000 men ,
was moving north on both sides of the
Port Arthur railway. Simultaneously
Kurokl had advanced from his bases
at Siuyen and Fengwangcheng and
was proceeding over three roads to
Kaichou , Tatchekiao , and Haicheng ,
with the hope of striking the Russians
on their left and rear.
In the course of its advance Kuroki's
army met plenty of fighting before it
managed to take the three important
passes situated one on each of the
three roads along which he is advanc
ing.
ing.The
The fighting for Fenshui pass was
severe , the Japanese , by their own re
port , having suffered 1,170 casualties.
The Japanese troops engaged in tills
operation were part of the Takush.in
division , concerning whose composi
tion so little information has leaked
out of Tokio. The official report , as
Still another Japanese success
red on June 27. The army besieging
Port Arthur is of unknown size and
under an unknown commander. Little
has been heard of it lately , but It start
ed an engagement on the 2Gth , some
ten miles east of Port Arthur. As a
result the Russians were driven from
heigb'is 331 and 120 to Lounvantlan
heights , eight and two-thirds miles
east of Port Arthur. In these engage
ments the Russians lost 200 men and
7 officers. Fifty Japanese were kiHed
by the explosion of a mine over which
they were passing.
The following day , again June 27 ,
the Japs took Lou.ivantian , driving the
Russians off. No more details of this
action. The Japanese are now mount
ing siege guns on Lounvantlan height ,
and have already begun to cast their
shells from the land side into Port
Arthur.
Meantime the northern section of the
second army had not been particularly
busy. It did not carry on its advance
vigorously enough to get into a severe
light. It was engaged in one two day
skirmish for the possession of Senu-
chen , which object it achieved on Juno
27. The Russian losses were fifty ;
Japanese losses not stated.
It is a most significant thing that
these five engagements were concluded
on June 27. It must have been more
than a coincidence. Oku's army occu
pied Senuchen on the 27th , and took
Lounvantian on the same day. Kuro-
MAP OF THE THEATER OF WAR.
&WS8HHEZ &U3 & ? CD
Star No. 1 marks the position of the battle for Motion pass. The Japanese
attacked on June 20 , with eight guns and 8,000 or 30,000 men. The pass was
taken by frontal and flank on the 27th. Casualties not reported.
Star No. 2 shows where severest fighting of the week took place. On June
20 the Japanese were three times repulsed in their efforts to take Genshui. The
battle was resumed at midnight and continued till nearly noon of June 27 , when
the Japs took the hill commanding the pass after a flanking diversion on the Rus
sian rear. The Russians had about 10,000 men , thirty-six guns and two machine
guns. The Japanese had 20,000 men and ample artillery. The Japs lost 1,170
men. The Russian losses are unknown.
Star No. 3 shows Ta pass , which the Japanese captured on June 27 by first
frontal and flank assaults. The Japanese had 20,000 men engaged. The Rus
sian forces are unknown , but they report their casualties at 200.
Star No. 4 marks the peak near Port Arthur upon which the Japs have
mounted their siege guns. The place was taken on June 27 after a two-day
battle.
Star No. " 5 indicates the skirmish at Senuchen on June 27 , where the Russians ,
after losing eighty men , were forced to retreat.
Star No. 6 shows the location of the naval battle allegedly witnessed by the
captain of the German steamer Chefoo.
given out to the press , does not con
tain the name of the victorious gen
eral , but refers to him merely as ' 'the
commander of the Takushan division. "
The attack on Fenshui began on the
morning of the 20th. The fighting
lasted until dark , the Russians main
taining their positi i. At midnight the
Nipponese soldierssvere quietly aroused
and launched once more again at the
enemy. The Japanese artillery got into
a bad mess in this fight , and the loss
of their guns was threatened , but the
Kamada men drove the attackers off
and the guns were extricated. Mean
while a flanking force had been sent
by an adjoining valley to the rear and
left of the Russians , "causing them to
lose their freedom of action. " As a
result , the Russians' defense of their
frontal position was weakened. The
Jap infantry , assisted by the engineers ,
then dashed up the hill from two sides ,
cut the wire entanglements , destroyed
the obstacles , stormed the position , and
occupied the heights at 11:30 : in the
morning. The Russians retreated
northwestward , six of their officers and
eighty-two of their men being cap-
tared , while over 100 were left dead on
the field.
The fight at Ta pass also took place
on the 27th. The position was first
shaken by heavy artillery fire , and
then taken by simultaneous frontal
and flank assault A Russian corre-
apondent reports that in this engage
ment "the Japanese redemonstrated
theh : reliance upon artillery. " In every
fight In which they have yet been en
gaged the Japanese success has been
largely due to their accurate and copi
ous artillery practice. The Russian
losses at Ta pass were 200 ; Japanese
losses not stated.
ki's army took Motien pass on the
27th. "Tie commander of the Taku
shan division" took Fenshui pass on
the same day. The Japs also took Ta
pass on the 27th. This successful sim
ultaneous forward movement to fivt ;
places indicates the perfect cooperation
tion and system of the Japanese com
manders.
Probably on the night of June 2S or
29 the three Russian cruisers quitted
Vladivostok again. They were accom
panied by ten torpedo boats. The entire I
squadron appeared off Gensan on the
east coast of Korea early on the morn
ing of June 30. Six of the torpedo boats
went into Gensang harbor and sank a
Japanese merchantman and a coasting
schooner which they found there.
Then , after firing 200 shells into the
town , they sailed out to rejoin the
cruisers. Their entire visit lasted an
hour and fifty minutes.
Tokio reported that the Russian
ships proceeded southward to Korea
Straits , where they fell in with Ad
miral Kamimura's squadron and an
engagement ensued. The result was
not known. At the present writing the
authenticity of this report has not been
confirmed.
The rainy season has begun. Gen.
Kourapatkin reports torrential rains in
the Tatchekiao district These rains
have continued for four days. They
have even drowned some men. Dry
stream beds have become converted I
into swift rivers. The miserable roads *
through which the rival annles are
now operating will be made impass
able. If the rains do not entirely stop
the campaign they will greatly retard
its movements. The advantage lies
with Kouropatkin , because he has the
railroad to more his jjrovisions
WATSON THE NOMINEE
POPULISTS NAME GEORGIA MAtt
FOR PRESIDENT.
Tibbies of Nebraska Selected for Second
end Place Former Senator Allen Re
fuses to Take the Honor Platform
Demands More Money.
Thomas E. Watson of Georgia for
President and Tkomas H. Tibbies of
Nebraska for Vice President was the
ticket nominated Tuesday by the Populist -
" * ulist National Convention at Spring
field , 111. The names of William V.
Allen of Nebraska and Samuel W.
Williams of Indiana were also placed
before the convention for President ,
but before the list of States had been ,
completed In the roll call their names
were withdrawn and Watson nomin
ated by acclamation.
Former Senator Allen made good his
word that he would not enter into any
scramble for the nomination , and while
the nominations were being made he
twice Instructed the chairman of the
Nebraska delegation to say that his
name must not go before the conven
tion , but in the face of this former
Senator Allen received more than 400
votes , and many believe he would have
been nominated had he given his con
sent to be a candidate.
Features of the Platform.
After reaffirming its adherence to the
basic truths of the Omaha platform
of 1892 and of the subsequent plat
forms of 1S96 and 1900 the platform
says :
The issuing of money is a function of
government and should never be dele
gated to corporations or individuals. The
constitution gives to Congress alone pow
er to issue money and regulate its value.
We therefore demand that all money
shall be issued by the government in
such quantities as shall maintain a sta
bility in prices , every dollar to be a full
legal tender , none of which shall be a
debt redeemable in other money.
We demand that postal savings banks
be established by the government for the
safe deposit of the savings of the people.
We believe in the right of labor to or
ganize for the benefit and protection of
those who toil , and pledge the efforts of
the people's party to preserve this right
inviolate. Capital is organized and has
no right to deny to labor the privilege
which it claims for itself.
We favor the enactment of legislation
looking to the improvement of condi
tions for wage earners , the abolition of
child labor , the suppression of sweat
shops and convict labor in competition
with free labor , and the exclusion from
American shores of foreign pauper labor.
We favor the shorter work day , and
declare that if eight hours constitutes a
day's labor in government service , that
eight hours should constitute a day's la
bor in factories , workshops and mines.
As a means of placing all public ques
tions directly under the control of the
people , we demand that the legal provis
ions be made under which the people may
exercise the initiative , referendum and
proportional representation , and direct
vote for all public officers with the ri ht
of recall.
To prevent unjust discrimination and
monopoly the government should own and
control the railroads , and those public
utilities which , in their nature , are mon
opolized ; to perfect the postal service , the
government should own nnd operate the
general telegraphs and telephone system
aud provide a parcels post.
As to those trusts anil monopolies
which are not public utilities or natural
monopolies , we demand that those special
privileges which they now enjoy , and
which alone enable them to exist , should
be immediately withdrawn.
We demand that Congress shall enact
a general law uniformly regulating the
power and duties of all incorporated com
panies doing interstate business.
Allen Denies an Old Story.
While the convention was waiting
for the Committee on Resolutions the
delegates were entertained with songs
and speeches. Former Senator Allen
at this time took occasion to refute the
story that was being circulated among
the delegates that he , Allen , while pre
siding officer of the St Louis coiiven-
tion in 1S9G , suppressed a telegram
that was sent to the convention by
William J. Bryan. Mr. Allen said the
story was absolutely false , that Bryan
did not send such a message to the
Populist convention in 189C.
After the convention adjourned a
meeting of the National Committee
was held , and James H. Ferris , of
.Toilet , 111. , was elected chairman and
Charles Q. De France , of Lincoln ,
Neb. , secretary.
The committee also appointed mem
bers of the National Committee for
those States that were not represented
at the convention , as follows :
Kentucky J. A. Parker , A , H. Car-
din and Joe O. Bradburn.
New Jersey J. A. Edgertoru
Michigan Mrs. Marian Todd , James
E. MacBride , E. J. Payne.
Massachusetts George F. Washbarn ,
E. Gerry Brown , P. P. Field.
New Hampshire D. B. Currier.
Maine L. W. Smith.
Watson is 48 years of age. He was
elected to the Forty-second Congress ,
serving one term. He was formerly a
Democrat.
Interesting News Items.
J. T. Simpson , a retired merchant ofi
Holton , Kan. , and a brother of forme *
Congressman Jerry Simpson , died in Hol
ton.
Ben Morris and Clyde Beaver , work *
men on the Rock Island bridge at To *
peka , fell from a scaffold and were
drowned.
Chester Harmon , 8 years old , whos
parents reside near Cushion , O. T. , fell
Into the wheat bin in the elevator at
Piedmont , O. T. , and smothered to death
before help arrived.
The Secretary of the Interior has ap
proved the application of the board oi
trustees of the Columbian university of
Washington to change the name.of thai
usti-tution to George Washington uni *
rersity.
