St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1886-09-17
rHEDENIOCRATIC PLATFORM.

Asa rule political platforms are nothing
more than glittering platitudes and do not
ordinarily make an impression on the public
mind But it is not SO with the platform
adopted by the Minnesota Democracy last
Tuesday The more it is studied the more
does one become impressed with its clear
ness and cOmprehensiveness. There IS no
balderdash about it, and it is exceptionally
free from the clap-trap generalities which
are so often injected into platforms for
campaign purposes only. 1t is frank
avowal of principles which have an appli-
cation to live issues. In its arraignment of
the Republican party in this state on the
charge of maladministratiOn, there is no
assertion made which is not amply borne
out by the testimony which the record of
the Republican party furnishes. AS the
campaign progresses this will all be demon
strated to the satisfaction of every fair
minded voter in the state of Minnesota.
In giving an Endorsement to President
Cleveland's civil service policy the conven-
ton was consistent with its own attitude.
1t was in itself an admirable illustration OF
the success of the presidents effort at es-
tabIishing civil service reform. 1t was the
largest and most thoroughly representative
political convention that ever assembled in
this state. and yet there was not single
state or federal officehOlder a member of
it. MOI did single delegate owe his selec-
ton to the influence of the Officeholders.
In this particular the convention was its
own platform. and good enough one for
any party to stand on. In outlining its
policy for an administration of the state
government in case the people are willing
to commit the state government to its con-
trol, the Democratic party has had fair
regard for all the important interests of the
state. But it recognizes that the interest
above all other interests which needs pro-
lection is that which pertains to the indus
trial and producing classes. The men who
till the ground and who earn their wages in
the shop and mill constitute the classes the
advancement of whose interests depends en-
tirelv on the success of Democratic prinei-
pies. The Democratic platform states this
fact and pledges the party to policy which
will promote and protect the industrial in
terestS of the state. Nor are the veterans
forgotten. The Democratic platform Origi-
mates plan for providing for INDECENT and
disabled Minnesota veterans which the
Republican party IN all of its twenty years
of domination had never thought of. 1t
has been lavish enough in the expenditure
OF public moneys. establishing various
public institutions which could be utilized
as part of the political machin-
cry for securing Republican domination,
but it never occurred to the Republicans
that it was proper to provide an asylum
where the old soldiers could find home in
their declining days. There is nothing in
the platform which does not commend itself
to the intelligent judgment of the people
of this state nor is there any reform issue
which suggests itself to the public mind
that is not recommended by the platform.
In every particular it is a clean, explicit,
manly declaration.