New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1886-10-06

] =.
of customs duties'' and the democrats
demand (what they know neither their
own nor any other party will granD an
adjustment to revenue basis. In the
question of the contract system of doing
public works, the democratic platform
absolutely opposes it, while the repub.
lican respects the rights of individual
localities, and leaves it as a matter for
each municipality to decide for itself.
Those are really the only two questions
which are handled by both platforms
and (Which different solutions are offered.
There remain, however (more import
ant and significant of all,) those ques.
tions which are only handled by one
party, the other being entirely silent
upon them.
In all the democratic platform there
are only two topics touched upon, only
two suggestions made, which are not
covered by their opponents. One of these
is particularly felicitous:
AS a practical measure we are in IA
vor of a constitutional convention with
the purpose of adjusting the relations
between labor and capital upon sound
and equitable basis by ENGRAVING the
! traditional doctrines of the democratic
party upon the fundamental law of the
state.
AS a practical measure [? And what
are the doctrines of the democratic
party ?" AS we have pointed out, the
platform itself fails to reveal any. And
if there are any distinctiyely democratic
doctrines, how can constitutional con-
vention be called ''for the purpose of
ENGRAVING them on anything? Such a
convention may be called for the consi-
derations Of any doctrines whatever,
traditional or otherwise but it would be
of queer 'constitutionality" if it were
called for the purpose of ''engrafting"
upon the fundamental law of state the
doctrines of the minority party in that
state. The clause means and can mean
nothing {; and is even more ingenious
in its cohaplete evasiveness than the
skillful dcaging, already referred to, of
the eight hour question.
The only other clause in the demo.
cratic platform which is not covered by
the republican is the sixth,-a most hui
morous conglomeration of declarations
in favor of honest immigration and
personal liberty" and opposition to the
importation of paupers and the enact
ment of Chat old scarecrow) "sumptu-
airy legislation, set of declarations
entirely superhuous rs no man or frac.
ton on either side has the remotest idea
ofever attempting TO ;fyiu .cany of the
principals involved il. them. So that
al the democratic platform has that is
distinctly democratic is these two poor.
meaning less provisions (wheren no,i-
ing is provided for) and statement in
favor of tariff for revenue only, with
whichits own party in other parts of the
country disagrees. So far as the state
government Gas opposed to the feder.
aD isconcerned it has not one word of
original or distinctive recommendation
to offer.
The Tribune then refers its readers to
the Republican platform and points out
the distinct enunciation of four prin-
ciples, none of which are so much as
mentioned in the other document, and
all of which have a direct reference to
the social welfare of the people of Min.
nesota.
Firstly it is demanded that the legis-
lature ''should insist on the education
of children in the Schools
Secondly it is declared
That the state should use portion of
the income ofits magnificent schoolfu
in the purchase and supply of all school
books in use in its public schools to pu.
pills actually attending to their privi-
leges.
Thirdly
That the legal rate of interest in this
state should be reduced to maximum
rate Of s per cent and the usury laws Of
the state should be rigidly enforced.
And lastly.
That the republican party fayors the
organization by the United States gov
crnment in connection with the post
office, Of financial exchange, safe depc-
sit Of the savings OF the people in small
sums.
Add to all this that the republican
platform is infinitely more explicit and
outspoken in the language in which it
advocates the cause Of the farmer and
the poor man against the railroads, as
well as in other matters, and fhow can