The Democrats declare the annexation of the Philippines. to have been an inexcusable blunder, which has involved e nation in enormous—expense, brought it weakness instead of strength, and laid it open to the charge of abandonment of the funda mental doctrine of self-government, They favour an immediate declaration of the nation's purpose to recognize the independence of the Philippine Islands s soon as a stable government can be established, such independence to be gu: anteed by the United States until the neutralization of the islands can be secured by treaty with other Powers. The Republicans do not commit themselves, one way or the other, but merely declare that "our duty toward the Filipino people is national obligation which should remain entirely free from partisan politics."
The Republicans, in their platform, lay great stress on the en ormous growth of the country population and wealth during the ascendancy of the Republican party, while the Democrats, on the other hand, denounce "the profligate waste of money wrung from the people by oppressive taxation," it being the Democratic contention (not specifically dealt with in the platform) that the Republicans have unnecessarily increased the national expenditure in order that an accumulation of money in the Treasury might not compel them to reduce taxation.
In advocating an income tax and the election of Senatora by direct vote of the people (neither of which can be brought about except by an amendment to the Constitution) the Democrats give expression to the almost unanimous sentiment of the party.
The Republicans are too
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.