The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1879-07-31
THE REPUBLICAN PLATFORM.


There is something in the resolutions
adopted by the republican state conven-
ton which sayors strongly of hypocrisy.
Facts are ingeniously distorted SO as to
| cook up an issue favorable to republi-
cans. The practice of attaching ''riders"
to appropriation bills is declared repre-
hensible and the opinion expressed that
it should be prohibited. What induced
the republican party at this late hour to
view political riders" with disfavor
Some of the very laws which the demo
cratic majority sought TO repeal were
passed as ''riders." which are now de-
clared to be revolutionary. Did it occur
to republicans that they were acting rev.
dictionary when they coerced President
Johnson by means of political riders"
on appropriation bills2 Perhaps it is
with riders as with the election or ap-
pointment of confederate brigadiers to
Office, it is only those which are support
ed by democrats that are revolutionary.
4 part of the resolutions is couched in
language designed to convey the idea
that the democrats in congress voted
against the proposition to prohibit the
presence Of troops at the polls. This is
carrying assurance to the extreme of
absurdity. 1t is well known that demo
Gratis contended for this principle, en-
countered vetoes and opposition to its
incorporation as law, and failed to have
it passed as permanent law on account
of the interposition of vetoes. The re.
publican party can not relieve itself by
resolutions, of the odium of having shap-
ed legislation SO that troops may be used
at polling places. They have made their
record on this question and they must
be held to it until the verdict of the peo-
pie is given.
After their experience in Louisiana and
Florida, republicans should exclude from
their vocabulary the words "have votes
honestly counted and returned" The
use of that clause is sarcasm on the
! count of rs, when love for state rights
was stronger than love for an honest
count. The person who wrote that par
ticular resolution must have memory
painfully deficient.
OF course a platform could not be pre-
pared without reference to successful
resumption" The late speech of Gen.
Ewing shows to what extent the republi-
can party deserves credit for successful
resumption" Had the government been
administered as economically during the
whole time from the close of the war up
to the day fixed for resumption, as dur
| ing the time the house has been under
| the control of the democrats, the saving
would have furnished an ample fund for
redemption purposes and the bonded
debt of the United States would not need
to be increased one cent, wherewith to
prepare for redemption.
The funding of 6 per cents into per
| cents also receives favorable mention.
The republican party or Seey. Sherman
is not deserving of one whit of credit for
the change. Indeed they have SO man.
aged the affair as to increase the debt of
the country by making the change. The
government has right by law to call
! bonds at n certain time. On good secu-
rity money can be had at per cent with
tho additional advantage of escaping
taxes, anywhere in the country. The
rate Of interest is low and this is what
makes these funding operations a sue
cess. II the bondholders chose, when
bonds held by them were called, they
could demand cash. But per cent.
without taxes is good investment, and
SO they take bonds. Does the republi
can party deserve credit for this?