The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1883-08-06
The Minnesota Democrats,

The Democratic convention in Minnesota
contented itself with short platform; but
unlike some other Democratic p atforms it
is clear on the tariff issue. 1t did not
adopt the Ohio meaningless generality about
the tariff but came out flatfooted for "a tar
III for revenue only as the permanent COM
mercial policy of the country" That is
plain and men can agree with it or disagree
with reason. We are glad as Republicans
to see the Democratic party planting itself
on that doctrine, and hope the National
Convention of the party will have the cour-
age to say what it wants as distinctly. The
Republicans are prepared aud eager to join
issue with the Democrats on that point and
they will do it with confident assurance
that the American people do not want a tar
iff for revenue only, and will say so by a
large majority.
The second resolution concerning what
constitutions should and should not contain
is not phrased very clearly but it is clear
enough that what they mean is that the
consti ution should not be amended so as to
prohibit the manufacture and sale of intoxi-
eating liquor That is the inherent and
inalienabe right which they do not wish 10
have taken away from the minority. They
are entitled to an opinion about that matter
and those who do not agree with them will
do what they can to make that opinion mop
erative. The Minnesota Democrats are not
only opposed to prohibition amendment to
the constitution but they consider the
making of prohibitory laws subversive
of the rights of the people. In other States,
as Illinois, the Democratic party is opposed
to high license laws, and in still other States,
as in Ohio, they are opposed to any special
tax upon the liquor trade. What the party
wants everywhere is unrestricted and free
trade in liquor, and it opposes everywhere
whatever restriction is proposed, just as it
opposes everywhere any regulation designed
to secure a fair election and an honest
count In these particulars the party is
consistent if peculiar.
In the third place they favor an amend
ment of the United States Constitution con-
ferring upon the President the power to
veto such provisions of the river and har-
: Dor bill as in his judgment are unwarranted.
That is not bad idea, but the Presidents
power to veto parts of a bill ought not to be
limited to any one measure. This is not the
only bill which goes through Congress by
log-rolling. Why not give him the same
power as to all appropriation bills? 1t has
been given to the Governors of several
States and has proved great advantage to
their treasures. The charge that the river
and harbor bill has "under Republican ad-
ministration become an omnibus bilr' is
simply partisan defamation. Republican ad-
ministrations are the only ones which have
vetoed such bills, and Democratic Con-
crosses and Democrats in Republican Con-
crosses have done their full share in swelling
them.
The last resolution is what the BOYS would
call s'a daisy" "The maintenance in power
of any political party for an undue length of
time is an assumption of power inconsistent
with the principles of the government and
dangerous to the rights of the people, Is
that Democratic doctrine? Are the Demo-
Gratis of Kentucky of that opinion? What
length of time, in the opinion of the Mime
sofa Democrats, constitutes an undue
length? Is it the same period when they
are in Office as when they are out? Is it one
of the inherent and inalienable rights Of the
minority to have their turn in governing the
State? Would they be in favor of a consti-
tutional amendment to secure this right?
We had supposed the Democratic party
claimed to be 10 favor of government by the
majority. What do they mean by talking
about ''the maintenance in power (by the peo-
ple) of any political party for an undue
length of time" being San assumption of
power inconsistent with the principles of the
government They seem to mean, land mean
only, that the majority of the people are
usurpers if they continue too long of one
political faith. On this the Republicans will
gladly join issue with them.