New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-08-23
THE SARATOGA PLATFORM

There has been gratifying TesPo'SO i'"
the Republican press Of the State to The
TRIBUNE's suggestions with regard to the tenn
perance features of the platform to be adopted
by the Saratoga Convention. 1t seems to be
generally agreed that the party must speak
plainly and emphatically upon this, the lead
ing State issue now before the voters of New
York.
For it must not he fyfgotten that this
campaign is Of the highest importance not
only as regards the National, but also the state
Government. Besides the Assembly, we are
to elect the Governor and Lieutenant-Gov-
ernor and Judge of the Court Of Appeals. The
election of Governor involves questions OF
vast importance to the people OF this state
Parties are so nearly balanced in our Legs
lature that two-thirds vote for any party IN
both houses is practically unknown. Under
these circumstances, the veto becomes great
mower, and it is question whether the Gov
ernor or the Legislature has the greater weight
in LEGISLATION The veto is all that has stood
in the way of High License for two years nast'
1t is all that has stood in the way Of Ballot
Reform. The Governor has had more power
here than the Legislature. The public sentl-
ment Of the State demands these measures,
and the platform to be adopted at Saratoga
should make it clear that if the nominee of the
RenubJican Convention Is elected Governor
there will be no veto when High License or
Ballot Reform bill is sent in. And ii is, above
all. important that it should be outspoken upon
the subject of temperance. This is to the
masses Of the Republican party, the most I'M
portant question in connection with state al
fairs to-day, and the delegates who assemble
NJ Saratoga next Tuesday should not mlsrepre-
sent them through timdity on the part OF any
of their number.
There may be some who will doubt the prac-
tical wisdom of such a course. There are To-
calties where it may seem, on the surface, TO
be impolitic. The answer to all such repre-
sensations should be that the Republican party
has always been strongest when it has stood
up straight for its principles and let the conSe-
ouences take care Of themselves. Even though
there may be local defections-which is by no
means rtain-such losses will be more than
counterbalanccd by the general stimulus that
comes from courageous stand upon moral
issue. The Saratoga platform should approve
the course Of the Republicans OF the Legis-
lature in passing Igh-Liccnse bill and in
approving the Prohibition amendment for
transmission to the next Legislature in which
there shall be a new Senate and should pledge
future Republican Legislatures to the same
line of effort until a Hieh-Licensc law has
been placed upon the statutc-book and until
the people have been gwen an opportunity to
vote directly upon the question Of Prohibition.
II il will do this, it will receive the support of
large numbers of Temperance Republicans who
might not otherwise be content to give it.
We have the enemy on the defensive on
National issues With a strong temperance
platform, we shall have them on the defensive
on State issues also. All that we need is
courage.