Evening journal., 1894-12-22
Loraltr q Party Platforms.

AoY&AN4 TO &&ttE A1tAtAa@'a
There is a good deal said In the parti-
san newspapers about being true. to
party platforms made at national and
state conventions This sounds we'll on
the face Of it, but this ia q world Of
change and if-which we do not admit
party platforms were ever perfect, even
from party view. It is unreasonable to
suppose that these platforms, composed
OF resolutions hastily formulated, would
meet exigences liable to take place at
any time. Then again II the successful
party is bound 10 be governed BY its
party platform what is the nse Of legis
lators at all9 Congress and the state
legislatures might as well be abolished,
for none but executive officers would be
needed.
The fact of the matter is that beyond
statement Of general party principles,
which are subject to amendment by
circumstances, nominating conventions
are assuming the rights Of the people
when they lay down platform Of prin-
ciples to be obeyed by their party. They
thus undertake to perform duties which
they, have no business TO interfere with,
which have not been delegated to them
aud which, as a rule, they are incompe.
tont to perform. Party conventions are
chosen to nominate men, who, IL elected,
are calculated under our system Of gov
ernment to decide on these very ques.
- a. 4f-.. ag4tan al t,s
to have settled What use are senators
and representatives II they are bound to
vote as they have been instructed to do
by political conventlon2
Then again, party conysntion--es.
pecially a Presidential one, is scarcely
more than a mob Of irresponsible poll
ticlans, many of whom could not be
elected to the most minor Office Should
such men direct the policy Of govain-
ment founded on principles OF integrity
and rightq These assemblies come
together for day or two, or at most
for two or three days. The resolutions
forming the all-important platform
are drafted by committee, the namel
Of whom are hardly known to many O
those present. This committee retlrel
and after hurried session of perhaps Al
hour expended IN looking over drafts
prepared In advance by prominent poll
ticIsns and voting upon them, succeed Il
patching up platform the esaentia
property Of which is to produce part,
enthusiasm and draw votes,
This platform is presented to the mot
ley crowd forming the convention, who
it would be aafe to say, are half drunl
with enthusiasm, If nothing worse, an,
read amid shouts, the beating Of drum
and struggles to be heard Of the mos
boisterous members It is then passs
unanimously, as matter Of course. "a
the leaders and the brass bands proven
any different result and yet politica
psrtisans tell us that party platform
should be held sacred Party platforms
like everything else, should be judged b
their merit and be binding TO no mar
partisan or not, If he does not conscien
tiously believe in them.
1t will thus be seen that loyalty /
party platforms Is nothing more or leE
than submitting to the decrees Of an OF
ganizsd mob. Political conventions may
necessity--we are not prepared to 81
that they are not for the nomination
public ofEicers-but this is their chi
and about all their real duty. Whl
they do outside Of this. is to be look
upon with suspicion and should In i
sense exert q permanent influence ev,
in their own parties.