New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-08-07
r,,yco ruE pn1TFORM SHOULD SAY

and true man.
THINGS TIE PLATFORM SHOULD SAY.
The Republicans have done well in this state
by boldly taking the initiative. Iheir con-
vention meets in three weeks while the Demo-
Gratis are so far behind them that not even inc
time for the meeting Of the State Committee,
which ia TO call the State Convention has been
announced. Yet it would be natural for the
Democrats to take the lead. The party IN
power usually recognizes the propnety Oh oeihs
the first to put before the people statement
Of its policy and the names OF It's cahoiuaVes'
This is the Presidents own State, ana nc Is
candidate for reelection. The Democrats con-
troll not only the Executive branch of the Fed
eral Government and the House OF Representa-
tivos but also the Executive branch OF the
Now-Yorl, State Government. But they seem
to be afraid of long campaign, and ev'oentiy
propose to shirk the fighting in the grea'
pivotal State until the last possible moment
When they do finally come reluctantly INTO 'hc
contest. they will be on the defensive
II the Republicans will go on in this cou-
rageous fashion they will win. Courage al
WAYS pays. and we must have plenty OF 1t, not
only in the conduct Of the campaign but IN
the platform on which it is to be fought. Ihere
is no need to enumerate the many issues upon
which all Republicans are united but there
are several among them upon which speci'''
stress should be laid, and the issue Sharply
drawn with the Democratic party.
I The platform should declare, in unmis-
taxable terms. for High License. General Gar
field said. on a memorable OCCASION that he
would accent q certain memorable ruling, hrst'
because the majority made it, and, second, be-
cause it was eternally right" The conven-
tion should take its stand squarely 1or hlgh
License, because the Republican press ana 'he
Republican Legislature have made IL one Oh
the party principles in this State ana because
If is the right thing to do. The party has gone
too far on this question to falter or retreat
now The saloons are on the side Of the Dem
ocrats. and the Republicans must look, as they
have always DONE to the intelligent and moral
classes Of the community for their votes. The
Republicans would have everything TO lose anu
nothing to gain by waverng now IN the man
ful fight which they have made in this state
for High License. and which would have been
crowned with success if the iquor-dealers had
not had tool in the Governors chair.
2. The platform should heartily commend
tbe Republicans of the Legislature for their
efforts to secure wise temperance leglslatlon'
They deserve this, for many OF them felt thai
they were taking their political lives in their
hands. but did so in obedience to principle.
3. The platform should promise that the
| LEGISLATURE to be chosen at the next election
of Senators will vote, if the Republicans have
q majority. as the present Legislature has done,
to submit the Prohibition amendment to the
people. A considerable number of temperance
people demand that the voters of the State
shall be allowed to record their Judgment on
this question. and the Republican party IS
pledged by its course in the Legislature to
give this element chance to be heard.
A. Without necessarily committing the party
to the details of any particular measure the
platform should declare Enthusiastically Tor tne
nrinciple that the expense of printing and dis
tributinc election ballots shall be borne by the
! State. This reform is emphatcally demanded
| nv the best sentiment of the day. The Re
publicans Of the Legislature did their best to
incorporate it into law, but were again defeat
ed by our demagogue Governor, who realizes
now what a shocking mistake he made when
after committing his party against che Dill
he sees the United Labor party-to note only
one straw-resolvng that it will not support
q candidate for Governor who does not favor
it. 1t is easy to understand why the idea Is
popular. Poor men see that it gives poor men
a chance to run for office. Men of independent
tendencies see that it gives them the oppor
tunity. which they sometimes want, especially
in local elections, of acting outside OF the
larger party organizations Men who wan
pure politics see that it breaks up the assess
ment system with all its attendant corrupuons
| The Democratic leaders are against 1t, as they
are always against every law to protect the
ballot-box. Their stupidity has made it ke
publican measure and positive declaration
from the Saratoga Convention in favor OF thu
proposed law will strengthen the party witt
every conscientious voter in the State.