The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1880-08-13
THE PLATFORM.


regret, for it was to be hoped, in the interest
of harmony, that unanimous agreement
sholld be arrived AT. AS they now stand
there are some Objectionable features to each
of the platforms. In the majority report the
first and second planks are beyond criticism
or objection by any good Democrat
Nor does the third plank contain any
EXPRESSION that even railroad company
would dare oppose but it settles nothing, De-
cause of its latitudinGrianism. The glittering
generality WAS evidently injected into its
position rather for its moral effect, or as a
foresbadowing of something yet to come.
The seventh proposition is one that will be
endorsed by any good citizen of whatever
political faith, and tho same is true Of the
eighth and ninth plsnks. 1t occurs, to US,
however, that the entire absence Of anything
like detail or specification or so much Of
either as might, more than appropriately be
placed in platform, where there are such
contesting wingsss now exist, is far from evil
dencing something Of conciliatory
order, but smacks of suspicious generality.
The fourth plank, though perhaps amenabe
in some aspects to criticism is only what the
press of the state has been desirous Of We
would have preferred much of the language
largely corrected and improved on, how
ever of the minority report, and surely this
might have been aCceded to by the majority
without any violence whatever to the views
of the latter. As this msjoritys nominee
for governor now positively declares his in
tention to do all in bis power to promote the
free school interest, we can appreciate no OBJ
lection to the expressed agreement TO apply
to such interest the maximum amount" In
the fifth plank the repudinting section might
have been omitted without diminishment of
its value and have thus added to its
dignity. The latter portion, rs in
the preceding proposition, is all that we
have ever asked of the legislature in that
line. What we have hitherto feared, how
ever, has been that an executive who was
reported to have said that he would not give
Sl.50 per head for immigrants, might render
nugatory by the veto power any such action
by the legislature. But happily the gov
ernornow assures us that whatever the sew
cnteenth assembly may do in this direction
within constitutional limits will meet his
hesrtiest approval. The last four lines of
the fourth section of tho minority report
should have found acceptance by the majority.
The minority report is much more specific
than the one we have just reviewed, and
more to be commended so far as frankness is
concerned as well as for many of its whole
some doctrines. It's most carelessly worded
in the matter of grammatical accuracy, but
it is bold, positive and candid in the express
sion OF views, and was manifestly drafted
not SO much in the idea of its being adopted,
as in the intent of placing on record obec-
tons to a sort of series of features and acts
which the anti-Roberts wing have claimed rs
having characterized the late administration.
Excepting, perhaps, the occupation tax
question, there is not plank
in the minority report that the executive
nominee, Governor Roberts, could not, as he
now most distinctly announces himself, have
approved. We fail to perceive why, having
sweepingly secured all other desiderats, the
majority committee or indeed the convention.
could MT have cheerfully accepted the prop
osltions OF the minority. The Dallas county
convention set a good example of the COM
promise spirit, and future developments may
yet show that it were well had il been fol-
lowed. For it must BIO remembered that if
opposl ton to measures of policy or on prin-
ciple, based on ones most honest Judgment
and best conscience be legitimate and proper
long prior or Immediately preceding nom
nation or an election, such nomination or
election does not effect any conversion of a
fact or ofprinciples which, in the breast of
an honorable man, are to have the first audi
ence and the most potent influence. The &C.
uoh OF tue majority Is thought by many q
good Democratic smack of dictation, and
the irritation which such thing is always cal
culated to produce, might have been reme
died by some exhibition, if not of generosity
at least of expediency. AS for the other
officers chosen as reported elsewhere in this
issue, the nominations will be received with
satisfaction. Many a good man and esteemed
candidate has gone down in the contest, but
this was matter of course. The defeated
may feel a little sore for time; but time.
great assusger, will heal the wounds, and
may yet make all things even. The conven-
ton has done much work and in short time
and is, on the whole, to be congratulated on
the results.