The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-06-20
The RcrnhIlcnn Platform.

In commenting yesterday upon the
work q the ST. Louis convention We
said iaat The platform was stronger than
the candidate. We had reference. Of
course. only 20 the financial plank, since
thas plank deals with The great issue
nov before the people for settlement
T1at plank differs greatly from the hnan-
c.aI plank adopted by the republican
party four years ago. There IS no doubt
about the meaning Of it. II can be con-
s-rued 20 mean only one thing. namely.
sound money. The financial plank adopt
cd in lSe2 was so worded that u could
be interpreted 10 mean either sound
money or free silver coinage.
Outside Of the financial plank the ST.
Louis platform has nothing in il 10 COM
mend IT, On the contrary. 1t IS a very
bad piece OF work. because, besides be
ing exceedingly verbose II contains false
statements. and IS constructed with the
purpose OF catching votes rather than
for making declaration Of principles.
1t contains ample evidence OF the de-
cadence Of the American statesman and
the rise OF the American politician. That
men like Foraker. a senator elect, should
have presented such a platform shows
how ready politicians are 10 take al
vantage Of the fact that the masses or
the people. when trouble comes, hold the
party in power responsible for IL whether
that party caused it or not.
in the ST. Louis platform the democrat
lie party is accused Of all sorts Of politi-
cal crimes-crmes of omission ana
commission. The old and often refuJed
charge that the democratic party is re-
sponsible for the present financial con-
diuon OF the country is reasserted. As
a matter of fact every intelligent man
knows the business and industrial de-
precision began under the Harrison adj
ministration. and that the financial trou>
BILE is the result of republican oliver and
tariff legislation. The democratic party
enacted none of the silver legislation,
except the repeal of the Sherman silver
purchasing act.
The republican party has control of the
present congress in both branches. ana
during the last session it had ample OPP
portunity to do something to relieve the
country of financial distress. II. how
ever, did nothing. although it had as
surances from the President that he
would cooperate in any reasonable plan
for the advancement of the country's
welfare. It preferred to play politics. II
regarded the making Of political cap
ital for use in the presidential campaign
as Of more Importance than satisfying
the complaints of the people respecting
the countrys monetary condition.
The platform promises protection 10
American industries and American work.
men, Protecting the Industries means
bigger profits for those who own the
protected industries, not higher
wages The more manufacturers there
are the greater the competition in prices,
and the greater the competition the low
or the wages. Protection means the
importation of cheap labor from Europe
and Canada to take the places of Ame-i-
can workmen.
The recent course of democratic leaders,
having populist tendencies, may have
placed the democratic party in an I'M
favorable light, but it is not democratic
rule that has brought the country to its
present unhappy condition. The monopo-
lies created by the republican system
of protection. and sustained by the re.
| publican party and the waste of money
on an enormous pension list-the first an
indirect tax on all the people, and the
other a direct tax on industries. indus.
trious people and the great army OF
active business and professional men
mechanics and workmen of all kinds
are among the chief causes of the pres
ent unfortunate condition of the country
! The silver craze has only intensified tht
| situation.
The platform shows no ground fol
hoping for reform from the republican
party. 1t is the same plea for power tina
the republican platform has always been