Democratic Platforms

OF FLORIDA

Adopted by the

STATE DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION

Held in the City of Tampa June 1,

1892, and in the City of Jacksonville June 19, 1900.

Giving Method of Recommendations to the Governor for Appointments.

Pledges of the Nominees Compared.

The former by County Executive Committees.

The latter by Primary Elections.

Democratic Platforms

OF FLORIDA

Adopted by the

STATE DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION

Held in the City of Tampa June 1, 1892, and in the City of Jacksonville June 19, 1900.

Giving Method of Recommendations to the Governor for Appointments.

Pledges of the Nominees Compared.

The former by County Executive Committees.

The latter by Primary Elections.

STATE DEMOCRATIC PLATFORM

Adopted by the State Democratic Convention

Held in Tampa June 1, 1892.

Hon. H. W. Long, of Marion, Chairman of the Committee on Platform and Resolutions.

The majority report having been presented and read by Hon. B. H. Palmer, of Columbia, it was adopted, as follows:

STATE DEMOCRATIC PLATFORM, 1892.

The Democratic party of the State of Florida in convention assembled congratulates the friends of good government upon the most assured prospect of success in the coming campaign and makes the following declarations of principles:

(1) That we reaffirm the fundamental doctrines of the National Convention of 1888 at Chicago (St. Louis)

(2) That we advocate a liberal policy on the

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part of the general govenment in the matter of public improvements, and hold that the South has a right to demand this until her water-ways and harbors are adjusted to the needs of commerce to the same extent as other sections of the country.

(3.) We reiterate with emphasis that time honored maxim of the Democratic party: "Equal rights to all exclusive privileges to none," and recognize the burdens under which the agricultural classes of this country are laboring. We pledge the Democratic party of this State (which is always the partyy of the people) adopt all legitimate means for redress of those grievances.

(4.) The remarkable and steady growth of our population and the enormous flow of capital seeking permanent investment in our State are a noteworthy indication of progress of the State, and we invitate the worthy and industrious people from all sections to come and settle among us, with the confident assurance of a friendly welcome and an equal opportunity.

(5.) We dounce the McKinley tariff bill as unjust to the consumers of the country and leading to the formation of those trust, com

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binations and monopolies which have oppressed the people.

(6.) We likewise denounce the inquitous force bill which has not yet been done by the Republican party, but is being urges as a measure to be adopted, shoudl they obtain the power,- the purpose and effect of which measure will be to resume again the period of reconstruction in the Southern States; to subserve the liberaties of our people and to enflame anew race antagonism and sectional animosities.

(7.) That we demand financial reform the enactment of laws that will remove the burdens of the people relative to the existing agricultural depression and do full and ample justice to the farmers and laborers of our country.

(8.) That we demand that Congress shall pass such laws as shall effectually prevent the dealing in futures of all agricultural and mechanical productions, providing such a strigent system of procedure in trials as shall secure prompt conviction, and impose such penalties as shall secure the most perfect compliance with the law.

(9.) That we demand the unlimited coinage of silver.

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(10.) That we demand the abolition of National Banks and the substitution of legal tender Treasury notes in lieu of National Bank notes, issued in sufficient volume to do the business of the country on  a cashy system; regulating the amount needed on per capita basis as the business interests of the country expands, and that all money issued by the government shallf be legal tender of all debts, both private and public; and we also demand the repeal of all laws imposing a tax and other restrictions upon the State banking system.

(11.) We demand that the amount of circulating medium be speedily increased to not less than $50.00 per capita. We deman a graduated income tax. We believe that the money of the country should be kept, as much as possible, in the hands of the people, and, hence, demand that all national and State revenue should be limited to the honest expenditure of the government, economically administered.

(12.) Transportation being a means of exchange and a public necessity, the government should control the railroads in the interest of the people.

Whereas, There has been much difference of opinion and lack of unamity as to the meth

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ods pursued by the Democracy of the different counties of this State in relation to the qualification of those who are to be participants in Democratic primary elections; and,

Whereas, It is necessary that the purity and integrity of the pary shall be maintainedl;

Therefore,

Resolved, That, in all primary elections hereafter, to be held in this State, in any Democratic primary election, the same qualification shall be required of others in such primaries as are necessary to qualify any elector for Democratic nominations or to admit them to the full confidence and counsels of the Democratic party.

Resolved. second, That the Democratic Executive Committees of each county shall be the primary judges as to all questions of contest, except the election of delegates to either State or County Conventions of the party, and that they shall make rules governing trials of contest, subject to the right of any one aggrieved to appeal to such County, State, or Congressional convention as the contestant may have been elected to, and that, upon such appeals, the County or State convention shall only received the evidence and facts presented to such Executive Committee on the tril of the con-

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test to determine whether or not the decision has warranted by the facts or evidence before the committee in each particular case.

Resolved, third, That the nominee of this convention for Governor, by the acceptance of the nomination, stands pledged to regard the recommendation of the Democracy of the several counties in the State in the matter of executive appointments, as expressed by the Executive Committee, primary elections or conventions, such as the case may be. In the several county precints or districts. The executive committees of each county shall, in such manner as may be by them deemed expedient, ascertain the wishes of the people of their respective counties as to which of the beforementioned methods of recommendation to the Chief Executive they desire to adopt.

H.W. LONG, Chairman

J.M. BARCO, Secretary.

DISCUSSING THE PLATFORM.

A. W. Weeks, of Washignton, read the minority report.

Major St. Clair-Abrams, Mr. Long, Judge

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Harrison, G. B. Sparkman, Col. Palmer, Dell of Alachua, Broome, of Gadsden, and others, discussed the objections raised to the majority reprot and presented by the minority report, after which the majority report was adopted without change.

Method of Recommending Persons to the Governor for Appointment to Fill Offices or Vacancies.

1892

Platform adopted at the State Democratic Convention held in Tampa in 1892.

Resolved, third, that the nominee of this convention for Governor, by the acceptance of the nomination stands pledged to regard the recommendation of the Democracy of the several counties in the State in the matter of Executive Appoint-

1900 Plan adopted by the Democratci State Convention held in Jacksonville in 1900.

Sec. 22. We believe that true Democratic principles require that the people be consulted in all matters. where practicable, and they they, as direct as possible, be permitted to make known their wishes. We, therefore, favor the nomination of all

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-ments, as expressed by the Executive Committee; primary elections or conventions, such as the case may be, in the several county preceints or districts. The Executive Committees of each county shall. in such manner as may be by them deemed expedient, ascertain the wishes of the people of their respective counties as to which of the beforementioned methods of recommendatio to the Chief Executive they desire to adopt.

-candidates for office, both State and County, and all United States Senators, by a majority vote in white Democratic primary elections, held under the provisions of law, which shall provide all possible priotection against fraud, bribery, intimidation and other vicious influences. Said primaries to be unfirom and held throughout the State on the same day; and we pledge the Democracy to the passage of laws to that end, and instruct the Democratic State Committee to provide for, and superintend the holding of, and declaring and certifying the results of such

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primary elections whenever it shall become necessary by the ending of the term, death, resignation or otherwise, to elect or appoint any such officer.

Pledges of the Governor Accepting the Nomination Under Such Platforms,

1892

Pledge of the Governor under the Platform adopted at the State Convention held in tampa in 1892, and subsequently, until the adoption of the Platform by the State Convention held in Jacksonville in June, 1900.

Resolved, third, That the nomineed of this convention for Governor, by the acceptance of the nom-

1900

Pledge of the Governor accpeting the nomination under the platform adopted at the State Convention held in Jacksonville in 1900.

Sec. 27. It shall be deemed the duty of the Governor accepting the nomination of this convention to appoint to office the persons so nominated and the Governor shall not appoint to

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ination, stands pledged to regard the recommendation of the Democracy of the several counties in the State in the matter of Executive appointments, as expressed by the Executive Committee

(Part of Resolution 3.)

any office any person not nominated by primary election, or by convention, whose appointment will be objectionable to the Democratic Executive Committee of the county in which he resides.