Press and daily Dakotaian. (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1880-1889, 1888-06-08

Turing the current month.
s-.s.=.s--n..-.-.-.s.-.....-~
The democratio party has accomplish
ID two things which were foreordained |
by the president snd forced upon con-
vention not unwilling to wear the collar
Of its official master. 1t has nominate
Grover Cleveland for president and Allen
G.. Thurman for vice president. The
former was nominated by ACCLAIM alton.
The latter received 7l2 votes on the first
ballot and at that juncture motion to
make his nomination unanimous prevail
ed. These purely perfuncsory proceed
ings were dispatched with show of
which had considerable
earnestness when applied to Mr.. Thur
man, but were entirely devoid OF sim
oerity SO far as they applied to the head
OF the ticket.
In the adoption of platform the only
living iasue--that pertaining to tatiff-
was evaded, SO fer as it wss possible to
dodge vital question under the per-
emptory orders from the executive chair.
The party was required to endorse the
tariff message of the president. In
response to this requirement tho conyen-
tion strsddled the issue. This is the
plank it adopted pertaining to the sub
ject:
The democratic party OF the United
States, in convention assembled, renews
the pledges OF its fidelity to democratic
faith and reRffirms the platform adopted
by its representatives in the convention
of 1884, and endorses the views expressed
by President Cleveland in his last mes
sage to congress, aa correct in&erpreta-
tion OF 'hat platform upon che question
OF tariff reduction, and also endorses the
efforts of cur denocratic representatives
in congress to secure reduction of ex-
cesRive taxation.
The convention reaf1irms the demo-
cratic plstform of 1884 and declares that
the presidential tariff message interprets
that platform. The republican party
demands reduction OF internal revenue.
The democratic platform OF 1884 does
not oppose, but rather favors, q reduc.
tion of internal revenue, while the presi.
dents message openly opposes any re-
duCtion OF that revenue. This is vital
point in tariff discussion, and Just how
| the presidential effasion can interpret
the effusion of the convention OF 1884 is
the question vaguely left for the masses
to struggle with. The inconsistency
will remain an inconsistency throughout
| the campaign and will be glamouyed
| over with the glitteripg eenerallties Of
orators and newspapers, which bewilda,
and do not satisfy.
The most positive action OF the con.
vention was the adoption OF q plank en-
dorsing the Mills revenue bill and REQ
commencing its early passage. The MillI
bill in its original form did not quite
coincide with the views OF the presidents
tariff message. and in its existing form
cut into and made over by both demo
cratic and republican amendments, 1t il
hard to tell what ennuoiated principle o
revenue reform it comedies with. Is il
certain that there is yet enough that ii
obnoxious within it to carry @ doubtful
Pacific state overwhelmingly into repub
lican control. SO the democratic en-
dorsement OF the Mills bill OF the pres
ent moment was an episode of the con
yention intensely gratifying to the re
publican party.
| The democratic platform contains N
allusion to the political condition of th'
territories under carpet bag rule ant
offers no solution of grave and inoreas
ing complications In the territories
There is in the document meagr,
plank declaring in favor OF the admia
sion to che union OF the states OF Wash
ington, Montana, Dakota and Ne,
Mexico. I1 this Dakota is listed alon
with other territories which are not su
fering for local self government.
4 Messrs. Cleveland and Thurman an
, their platform of principles are mo-
fairly before the people and betwee
, this and November the people will d.
eide to repudiate or endorse the demo
! cratic combination, That party otfel
q no especial inducement for retention I
, power. II has driited along fairly we
under no stress Of political weather.
has had an open sea, freed from obstruc
D tions and dangerous shoals by the wiz
dom OF the party which preceded it.
/ there has been nothing violently objet
g tionable in ITS brief career il is becaut
!. it's career has furnished no opportt
i. nifty for it to burrow beneath the stror
/ foundations Of government oemente
8 througha q quarter OF q century of IT
q publican rule.