Arizona republican., 1891-05-28
THE PROPOSED THIRD PARTY


 In the platform enunciated at Cincin- nati we look in vain for the assertion of single great principle upon which to found a new party. Protection as sound policy of Government, which is the key of Repubicanism, is ignored on the one hand, and free trade, which is the Democratic theory, is disregarded on the other. The issue of the tariff, on which the country is divided as the problem of the century, and which is almost universally recognized as the present overwhelmingly vital question of national policy, is virtually pro- nounced of no account whatever to the American people. This deliberate shut ting of eyes to the dominant and ruling subject of political discussion and diff ference practically settles the fate of the third party movement. Timely or un- timely dissolution awaits it. While the craze of the hour is on, the Peoples party may disturb the relations of the two existing national parties to each other, but that it will become 6 factor in national Government is next to Im- possible, for the reason that it presents no principle or doctril,e, st issue thet can by. any msan4 iapircds ths iaik rho pls2tcrm ,dsmandls xsa . cujicstsly Eblended mlxtuye of socialism, nerafhn- ism, paternal Government and popular sovereignty, crude experimentation, of which a close consideration will con found the very men who helped to frame it. The central feature is the sub-treasury plan to make the Govern ment a bank, where the people can secure irredeemable currency at 2 per cent per annum upon non-perishable products, and also upon real estate, 'with proper limitations upon the quantity of land and the amount of money" If the Greenbackcrs and Socialists who were prominent in the convention should by any chance become possessed of Federal power and their idea of "proper limitations" go into effect, there are scarcely print ing presses enough in existence to sup ply the legal tender notes they would issue under this plank. As Ito put their own pet plan for the creation of money in dismal light, the next declaration is for "the free and unlimited coinage of silver" There will be no need of silver or of gold, if paper fiat money is issued under the sub-treasury plan, but the contradiction seems not to have oc- cured to, these amateur platform makers.
 Aside from these two features, plati- tudes comprise the remainder of the 'principles" on which the new party is to seek political power. The "wants" and demands" in reference to honest government, equal rights, just taxation and limitation of revenues 10 the ex- penses of the government are such as both the Republican and the Demo- cratic parties now advocate, and as are sought through those parties by the sup porters of the two organizations. There is reason to believe that the discofdant elements which congregated in the Queen City could advance reform in these particulars, whereas whichsoever one of the old parties administers pub lie affairs at Washington is forced to be prudent, just and economical through the knowledge that its acts are sub jected to the close scrutiny of the peo- pie and the menacirg strength of a powerful minority.
 With no sound reason for its existence, with demonstrative lack of any princi- pie for it's formation, and with its agrarian and socialistic tendencies, the proposed third party movement cannot, in the nature of things in a popular gov ernment, long survive it's first platform. It may exist until after the Presidential election. but it is quite as likely to break in pieces before that event. A year is an age to third party.