Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-08-08
A wH1rE.w1NGEp CONVENTION.

Partly because this is an ''off year" in
politics, and partly for the reason that there
was absolutely no shadow OF contest against
the supremacy of Senator Quay in the coun-
sells OF the party, the Republican convention
for Pennsylvania yesterday was relatively
tame affair. The delegates were practically
of one mind as to the candidate for State
Treasurer and the composition of the State
Committee. IF there was any variance of
opinion it was not expressed. Harmony
has often been boasted of as characteristic
of political conventions; but for the real
article the convention of yesterday has not
in late years had an equa,.
The platform is noteworthy for its tre-
mendous length and prolaxity. Ifany pub
lie subject escapes mention we fail to dis
cover the omission. unless it is the i'm
portant one of railroad Determinations
That was wont In the past 10 furnish strong
plank. But as the explicit promises of
legislation for equalized rates was never
carried out nobody, unless it might be
Andrew Carnegie, who was optimistic as to
the purposes of the party in that matter, can
now feel much disappointment at seeing
the subject unceremoniously and alto
gether dropped. 1t is better than mockery.
There is an entire Endorsement of Presi-
dent Harrison, quite in the ship, hip,
hurrahl" style; also Of the purposes, policy
and personnel of the national administra-
tion, taking in vigorously every noticeable
point, from Senator's Quay's management
of the late campaign to Commissioner Tan
ner's position on pensions. But what is
most pertinent to Pennsylvania State poll
tics is the twitting of the Democratic pro-
tectionists of this State on their helplessness
in the national councils of their party. The
Randall Club ceiebrants who yester-
day in this neighborhood were pay
ing homage to their political patron
saint will be apt to sympathize
with that part of the platform. On the
liquor question there is a distinct pro-
nouncement for the Brooks high license law,
with pledge for its progressive-not retro
gressive-amendment,a and a suggestion that
the wholesale traffic also be regulated. An
Endorsement of proposals for good country
roads, a eulogy on Governor Beaver, a
memorial paragraph on the Johnstown
calamity, and one as to the late General
Cameron wind up the document.
On the whole, the platform is so full Of
details as to put the reader in mind OF the
voluminous Chronological Record, which
THE DISPATCH publishes at the close Of
each year, of all the notable things of the
twelvemonths preceding. 1t has the merit,
however, of being as free as possible from
ambiguity. 1t has the fault of being so
prolix and aiming to cover so much in de-
tail that in the harvest season the patriotic
farmer, for whom platforms are much in
tended, will not have time to take it all in
at one sitting. While lacking the literary
finish which always distinguished the we'll
knit syntax of the Republican platforms
when Russell Errett wrote them, it is a
pretty fair beginning for General Reeder,
with whom the sword has hitherto been
migntier than the pen.
There is, anyhow, no serious doubt that
backed by the immense Republican major
ity in Pennsylvania, it is sufficient expo
sition of principles to elect Boyer, who was
yesterday nominated for State Treasurer.
Nothing is so far urged against him; and
though the vote will be light, there is no
question that he will have the big end.