The intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1887-1891, 1890-09-06
OF THE MISSOURI RE
PUBLIOANS.

PUBLI0ANs.
The platform adopted by the Mis-
souri, republicans in their state cOnven-
ton last week, is q curious compound
of empty platitudes, and affirmatiOns
utterly inconsistent with their practices
and contrary to their purposes. The
Globe Democrat, commenting upon the
emptiness OF platforms in general, must
have had this latest effort of the repub-
4 lican statesmen of Missouri in its mind
\ when it said that the acceptance of
platforms is coupled with a great many
mental reservations. The PECULIARLY
of this latest effort is that it is false
from beginning to ending. and is in its
general aflrmations exactly the oppo-
site of what the republicans in that
convention believed.
For instance, the platform endorses
"the present national administration as
wise, patriotic and faithful to the party
and the people,"
This was anything but the sentiment
| of that convention. 1t was almost ex-
clusiyely a Filley crowd, and the indi-
vidual and collective feeling against
Harrison and Noble was boastfully
pronounced. There vas M sort of
respect OF sympathy tor the national
administration and it's Endorsement
was simply q lie.
1t Endorsed the work of congress In
demonetizing silver, and yet there is
not a republican IN the state, outside a
few gold bugs, who does not honestly
condemn this action of congress, and
who does not at heart approve the
democratic policy of free and unlimited
coinage.
1t afirms a friendship for the farmer
and claims to oppose monopolies,
combines and trusts. Yet 1t is notori.
ously q party whose whole record has
been one of encouragement to monopo-
lies. It fosters them by its legislation,
protects them by its tariff and asks
nothing in return except that the fat
may be tried out of them for party
purposes.
1t says some meaningless things
abont passing "a tariff that will meet
the conditions of all classes OF indus
tries and labor" yet it knows full well
that no intelligent republican farmer
in Missouri favors the Mckinley bill,
and that its passage would be a blight
worse that a drouth upon the farming
interests of Missouri, and the west.
The convention simply stultitied itself
when II gave even a quasi endorsement
of the tariff bill.
1t, however, indorses unequivocally
the Blaine idea OF reciprocity With the
South American states, an idea utterly
inconsistent with the theory of protec-
ton. If reciprocity be a good thing
with South American states, with
whom we do little trading, why would
it not do better with European states, |
with whom we trade almost exclusive
ly? The plank cannot consistently |
indorse both Blaine and Mckinley, |
but consistency appears not to be a
jewel that studs republican platforms
IN Missouri.
1t denounces the delays of justice in
the supreme court of the state, yet
withholds the fact that a democratic
legislature has submitted q constitu-
tional amendment providing for an
increase of the court-a measure OPP.
posed by the republicans in the legls.
lature and which will probably be
opposed by them at the polls for NJ
better reason than that it is a demo.
cratic measure and intended for the
relief Of litigants and the expedition of
The affirmation was not even
enough to tell the plain truth that
the court is overworked.
1t claims that officers of the state
entrusted with the preservation of the
funds in the treasury have made the
credit and funds of the state an
instrument with which to retain con-
troll OF the state government. The
stupidest ass i'm the convention did not
believe this calumny when he voted
the resolution; and IL also has the
sudacity to talk about ga defaulter
going unwhipped of Justice" 1t has
the common fairness to tell the
that the bondsmen of the default.
ing state treasurer promptly restored
the stolen money and interest, that a
grand jury promptly in
dicted the defaulter, and that his trial
will take place at the first term OF the
The only honest planks of the repub-
Iican platform are those which favor
and indorse Speaker Reed.
Il even straddled the fence on the force
bill. Altogether it is q sham and a
raud, entirely unworthy of the party,
.owardly, untruthiul and mendacious.
TO crown the actions Of the convention
praising the farmer in its platform
{ proceeded to nominate a man for
abroad commissioner who is the
;reature of Jay Gould and q servant of
lis corporation.