homes and add to the food supply, power resources, and taxable property, with the government ultimately reimbursed for the entire outlay. "The Trade Commission.-The Democratic party heartily endorses the creation and work of the Federal Trade commission in establishing a fair field for competitive business, free from restraints of trade and monopoly, and recommends amplification of the statutes governing its activities so as to grant it authority to prevent the unfair use of patents in restraint of trade.

"Live-Stock Markets. For the purpose of insuring just and fair treatment in the great interstate live-stock markets and thus instilling confidence in growers through which production will be stimulated and the price of meats to consumers be ultimately reduced, we favor the enactment of legislation for the supervision of such markets by the national government.

"Mexico.-The United States is the neighbor and friend of the nations of the three Americas. In a very special sense our international relations in this hemisphere should be characterized by good will and free from any possible suspicion as to our national purpose.

"The administration, remembering always that Mexico is an independent nation and that permanent stability in her government and her institutions could come only from the consent of her own people to a government of their own making, has been unwilling either to profit by the misfortunes of the people of Mexico or to enfeeble their future by imposing from the outside a rule upon their temporarily distracted councils. As a consequence, order is gradually reappearing in Mexico; at no time in many years have American lives and interests been so safe as they now are; peace reigns along the border and industry is resuming.

"When the new government of Mexico shall have given ample proof of its ability permanently to maintain law and order, signified its willingness to meet its international obligations, and written upon its statute-books just laws under which foreign investors shall have rights as well as duties, that government should receive our recognition and sympathetic assistance. Until these proper expectations have been met, Mexico must realize the propriety of a policy that asserts the right of the United States to demand full protection for its citizens.

HISTORY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK

"Petroleum.-The Democratic party recognizes the importance of the acquisition by Americans of additional sources of supply of petleum and other minerals, and declares that such acquisition both at home and abroad should be fostered and encouraged. We urge such action, legislative and executive, as may secure to American citizens the same rights in the acquirement of mining rights in foreign countries as are enjoyed by the citizens or subjects of any other nation.

"New Nations.-The Democratic party expresses its active sympathy with the people of China, Czecho-Slovakia, Finland, Jugoslavia, Poland, Persia, and others who have recently established representative governments and who are striving to develop the institutions of true democracy.

"Ireland. The great principle of national self-determination has received constant reiteration as one of the chief objectives for which this country entered the war, and victory established this principle.

"Within the limitations of international comity and usage, this convention repeats the several previous expressions of the sympathy of the Democratic party of the United States for the aspirations of Ireland for self-government.

"Armenia. We express our deep and earnest sympathy for the unfortunate people of Armenia, and we believe that our government, consistently with its Constitution and principles, should render every possible and proper aid to them in their efforts to establish and maintain a government of their own.

"The Philippines. We favor the granting of independence without unnecessary delay to the 10,500,000 inhabitants of the Philippine Islands.

"Hawaii.-We favor a liberal policy of homesteading public lands in Hawaii to promote a large middle-class citizen population, with equal rights to all citizens. The importance of Hawaii as an outpost on the western frontier of the United States demands adequate appropriations by Congress for the development of our harbors and highways there.

"Porto Rico.-We favor granting to the people of Porto Rico the traditional Territorial form of government, with a view to ultimate statehood, accorded to all Territories of the United States since the

beginning of our government, and we believe that the officials appointed to administer the government of such Territories should be qualified by previous bona fide residence therein.

"Alaska.-We commend the Democratic administration for inaugurating a new policy as to Alaska as evidenced by the construction of the Alaska Railroad and opening of the coal and oil fields.

"We declare for the modification of the existing Coal Land law, to promote development without disturbing the features intended to prevent monopoly ;

"For such changes in the policy of forestry control as will permit the immediate initiation of the paper pulp industry;

"For relieving the Territory from the evils of long-distance government by arbitrary and interlocking bureaucratic regulation, and to that end we urge the speedy passage of a law containing the essential features of the Lane-Curry bill now pending, coördinating and consolidating all Federal control of natural resources under one department to be administered by a non-partisan board permanently resident in the Territory;

"For the fullest measure of Territorial self-government with the view of ultimate statehood, with jurisdiction over all matters not of purely Federal concern, including fisheries and game; and for an intelligent administration of Federal control we believe that all officials appointed should be qualified by previous bona fide residence in the Territory;

"For a comprehensive system of road construction with increased appropriations, and the full extension of the Federal Road Aid act to Alaska;

"For the extension to Alaska of the Federal Farm Loan act.

"Asiatic Immigrants.-The policy of the United States with reference to the non-admission of Asiatic immigrants is a true expression of the judgment of our people, and to the several States whose geographical situation or internal conditions make this policy and the enforcement of the laws enacted pursuant thereto of particular concern, we pledge our support.

"The Postal Service.-The efficiency of the Post Office department has been vindicated against a malicious and designing assault by the

HISTORY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK

efficiency of its operation. Its record refutes its assailants. Their voices are silenced and their charges have collapsed.

"We commend the work of the joint commission on the Reclassification of Salaries of Postal Employes, recently concluded, which commission was created by a Democratic administration. The Democratic party has always favored and will continue to favor the fair and just treatment of all government employes.

"Free Speech and Press. We resent the unfounded reproaches directed against the Democratic administration for alleged interference with the freedom of the press and freedom of speech. No utterance from any quarter has been assailed, and no publication has been repressed, which has not been animated by treasonable purposes and directed against the nation's peace, order, and security in time of war.

"We reaffirm our respect for the great principles of free speech and a free press, but assert as an indisputable proposition that they afford no toleration of enemy propaganda or the advocacy of the overthrow of the government of the State or nation by force or violence.

"Republican Corruption.-The shocking disclosure of the lavish use of money by aspirants for the Republican nomination for the highest office in the gift of the people has created a painful impression throughout the country. Viewed in connection with the recent conviction of a Republican Senator from the State of Michigan for the criminal transgression of the law limiting expenditures on behalf of a candidate for the United States Senate, it indicates the reëntry, under Republican auspices, of money as an influential factor in elections, thus nullifying the letter and flaunting the spirit of numerous laws, enacted by the people, to protect the ballot from the contamination of corrupt practices. We deplore these delinquencies and invoke their stern popular rebuke, pledging our earnest efforts to a strengthening of the present statutes against corrupt practices and their rigorous enforce

ment.

"We remind the people that it was only by the return of a Republican Senator in Michigan, who is now under conviction and sentence for the criminal misuse of money in his election, that the present organization of the Senate with a Republican majority was made possible.

"Conclusion.-Believing that we have kept the Democratic faith, and resting our claims to the confidence of the people not upon grandiose promises but upon the solid performances of our party, we submit our record to the nation's consideration and ask that the pledges of this platform be appraised in the light of that record."

Several minority resolutions were offered and debated on the floor of the convention. The most important of these were:

By William J. Bryan:-"We heartily congratulate the Democratic party on its splendid leadership in the submission and ratification of the Prohibition amendment to the Federal Constitution, and we pledge the party to the effective enforcement of the present enforcement law, honestly and in good faith, without any increase in the alcoholic content of permitted beverages and without any weakening of any of its provisions." Defeated, 9291⁄2 nays to 1551⁄2 ayes.

By W. Bourke Cockran, of New York:-"The validity of the Eighteenth amendment to the Constitution has been sustained by the Supreme Court, and any law enacted under its authority must be enforced. In the interest of personal liberty, and to conserve the rights of the States, we favor Federal legislation under the Eighteenth amendment allowing the manufacture and sale, for home consumption only, of cider, light wines, and beer; reserving to the various States power to fix any alcoholic content thereof lower than that fixed by Congress, as may be demanded by the opinion and conscience of each locality." Defeated, 7261⁄2 nays to 356 ayes.

By Edward L. Doheny, of California.-"Ireland.-Mindful of the circumstances of the birth of our nation, we reiterate the principle that all governments derive their just powers from the consent of the governed. We will support the continuance of our long-established and useful practice of according recognition without intervention in all cases where the people of a nation have by the free vote of the people set up a republic and chosen a government to which they yield willing obedience." Defeated, 676 nays to 4021⁄2 yeas.

In addition, resolutions were proposed by Mr. Bryan