The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1884-05-21

| AdR1 hAANA CndNbN0
and the other desires to have a part,
platform construed by the author of il
without reference to the plain meaning
of its terms, and by this construction t.
constrain the intelligence and intellec
of every voter.
Our neighbor need not have said tina
party platforms are not very potentia
in shaking party policy" All that i
has uttered on the subject of railroad
supervision is in strict harmony with
its declaration in that behalf. We might
admit, as matter of history, that the de
claration is correct statement of the
respect to which party platforms are
entitled, but we must express eur sur.
prise that so respectable journal as
our esteemed contemporary should seek
to uphold practices which should be
"more honored in the breach than in
the observance" In fact it is the first
instance, we believe, of a confession by
party newspaper that party platforms
mean nothing. 1t has the merit of bold
ness, if no other.
at is an open secret that the supervi
sion bill the bastard child of caucus"
says our neighbor. Pardoning the train
Of thought that could have suggested
such figure, since license in journalism
is the order of the day, we may well in
quire what force is there in the objec-
ton that the supervision bill was agreed
on in caucus? Would it have been
a good cause for attacking the Prohibi-
ton legislation of the last Legislature
that the friends of Prohibition without
reference to party had assembled before
offering any legislation and agreed upon
the character and extent of the measures
to be proposed?
1t certainly would never have occur
red to US to make any such objection.
If we had made such objection would
it have been entitled to respect? Would
our special friend, Col. Nugent, who has
pushed the contract feature of the char
tiers of the railroad companies he rep
resents, to the limit beyond which rea
son loses her sway, and who is also an
ardent prohibitionist, criticize prohibit
tionists for meeting together to discuss
measures of legislation-in caucus if you
please? 1t seems after all that whether
the caucus be Objectionable depends en-
tirely upon what the caucus does.
1t is further said chat a bare
majority of the caucus" presided at
the birth of the supervision bill,
and that that "caueus majority constitu-
ted minority of the Legislature" To
show how phrase may sound well and
mean nothing we propose to resort to
figures. The Legislature is composed of
157 members. The greatest number
which could participate in caucus
which would come within the limitation,
"a minority of the Legislature" is 70.
ga bare majority of IS is 40, so that it
is now charged that 40 members of the
last Legislature, by reason of the caucus,
controlled not only 50 members who par
tieipated in the caucus but 70 members
who took no part. Was ever anything
more absurdl We have always believed
in the eaucus-have had great respect
for it, but if it can be made to work
wonders like this then we confess that
We have, up to this time, failed to COM
prehend its full capabilities.
The CLARION accepts the offer of the
New Mississippian to place it in a posi-
lion to know the author of the supervis-
ion plank and what he can testify about
it, but We want it distinctly understood
that the information is desired for the
public. We are too unselfish to be will
ing to keep from our readers such val
liable aids to correct conclusions as the |
name of this celebrity coupled with his
WINS O1 q NAAItCE VI 80 muCH lL1pOft- |
ance; and we win say to our neighbor
that We are not quaking in our boots for
fear of being demolished, because THE
CLARION has had the benefit, by inter-
views with distinguished anti-superyision-
sts, of the best thought on the subject,
md it is not trembling lest it be sur
orised by an explosion of mental dyna-
mite. No, the New Mississippian has
made as good fight for the railroad
as the author of the saperyis-
on plank can, and this much we cheer
July concede.
We knew that our neighbor would not
ike to see itself as others see it, and it
,ristles up when we charge it with view
ng the supervision question from rail
Dad platform. It is not expected that
ge can convince it or that it can con
ince us, but We think that the general
'ublc viii be with us on the PROPOSE
ions now to be announced.
l. The CLARION insists on superYis-
On within constitutional limits, and the
Vew Misaissippian is opposed to inter-
ering with the railroads BY legislation
ven if it be constitutional.
2 THE CLARION construes the plank
a the Democratic platform to be 4
Iromise to the people that there shall
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