Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1888-05-19
THE DEMOCRATIC PLATFORM.

The platform of the Democratic party
in California. just adopted, is not remark
able in any affirmative particular. Looked
at with judicial calmness, and free from
partisanship, it does not inspire the reader
with respect for its construction. OF course
it was expected that the Convention would
approve, just as it was expected that the
Republican Convention would disapprove,
of the Administration. Its expression in
this respect, therefore, is without especial
force. When it comes to fertilization of
the declaration, it is found that the Con-
vention was not poverty-stricken for
phrases in which to marshal its admira-
ton, any more than was the Republican
Convention for many counts OF indictment.
So far as these matters go, therefore, they
will in neither case make any deep or last
ing impression; the people will judge the
Administration independently of these pro
forma declarations, which are as conven-
tional with partisanship as the whirl of
the planets in space.
The declaration regarding the tariff is
eyasiye, but by Endorsement Of the Presi-
dents message may be said to have
taken on a more emphatic character, and
to be an approval of his advice to Congress
upon that topic, precisely as the plank in
the Republican platform was condemna-
ton of the Presidential expression con-
corning reformation of the revenue sys-
tenn. Thus far, then, we do not make much
Roadway in the consideration of the plat
form, as we find it to move in beaten paths,
exactly those it was safe to forecast would
be trodden
The plank commencing Democratic in
fuences for the treaty with China provokes
smile. Neither party in California has
anything of which to boast over the other
upon the Chinese question. They are a
unit on the subject, and for years have
made the same professions. 1t remains,
however, that the chief virtues of the new
compact with China, are due to amendments
to the treaty as originally negotiated, and
these amendments were suggested by and
were made under the advice of Senate
Committee largely Republican, and were
accepted by the entire Senate, without
solitary word of objection.
1t was unbecoming Of the Convention,
not to say the very meanness of partisan
littleness, in referring to the construction
of the Restriction Acts, and the hearing of
Chinese immigration cases by the Courts,
to speak of " Republican Federal Judges
The country knows no such distinction,
and as matter of fact, a majority Of the
Judges who have been called to pass upon
these cases, in private life are adherents to
the Democratic party. 1t is lamentable
day in which the Conven ton of great
party rises up and challenges the Federal
Judiciary for political partisanship, and
attempts to impeach the Courts for con-
structions of law into which it was simply
impossible for party spirit to enter, even
were the Judges so narrow and corrupt as
TO sink their int rity in such viciousness.
The declaration of the platform concern
ing public lands is an echo of the past, and
at best Pedagogical, since it is intended to
cater to what little remains of sentiment
of hatred to railroad corporations, OF