The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-07-30
SEATTLE, FRIDAY, JULY 30.
REPUBLICAN STATE PLATFORMS.

No state In the Union has had more
froubls with its platforms than Iowa, and
is experience should be warning and
example % Others. II has az times crowd
ed a lot OF local issues into its cecla;a-
ton OF principles. much as some Of the
new states have crowded merely legisla-
tive acts into their constitutions. The re-
suit has been an embarrassment to the
party and an injustice TO men who were
loyal members. III Is not necessary to
make political party a carry-all wagon
or 10 lice up its members in disciplined
array.
Senator Harlan once said that Repub-
lean platforms should be confined TO the
fundamentals OF government. and should
not contain special issues. The Iowa
state Register gives the Republicans
practically the same advice when 1t says
that II II were TO make the state platform
it would make 1t broad. and yet distinct
X submits the following three pianks:
Tarin for revenue and protection, combin-
ing the largest revenue with the wisest
protection; sound money based upon the
gold standard as enunciated In the St
Louis platform, economy in public ex-
penditures, national, state. county and
municipal
IL may not always be wise TO confne
state platform TO the national issues, but
the national platform should suffice to
constitute the Republican creed A Re-
publican will always have an opinion upon
local issues~any intelligent man will who
has taken sufficient interest to investigate
them~but they should not be made the
test OF Republicanism.
II any other course is followed n man
might be member of the Republican
party In one state and not in another.
Within party lines, or even out OF them.
are many questions as TO which men dif-
fer but the more planks there are the
greater will be the chances of discussion
= tiS weAkens the party organization and
puts an unfair burden upon its members
man might be very excellent and
loyal Republican ana be a very capable
and efficient candidate for a 3udgesbin
and not be able To consciontlousiy sub
scribe 10 party declaration in favor az
for example woman suffrage II the
party Is 20 be satisfied with men Mho vii
adopt any view in order To secure a
termination. the platform matters very
little. but II tho party desires 10 have as
ise standard bearers conscientious men it
VIII ask no pledge from them except that
adopted BY the party at large. and leave
80 each branch Of government It's dis
unc'ive duties ard Responsibilities and 10
each man freedom Of action
outside Of this. the party can take care
Of itself In LEGAL issues. The party does
rot subject itself 30 the suspicion Of not
favoslng honesty in officials because IL
does not parade its goodness Ia sieclara-
tions. nor does 1t intend tn exclude pro-
hioiuonists from its ranks because II
fails 20 proclaim prohibition as one of It's
cardinal virtues
The fact Is that public opinion is
stronger than platforms. 4 pefmsatos
al gatherings aud Influences an convea-
toos- Is II right enough cha; a conven.
ton shalt show a preference Ter men q
known convictions on local issues II is
rtep"r because i rs Inevitable the peop,a
shall sey that al other things being
equal they prefer Republican whose
Views On any sooal issue accord With those
OF tho majority Il only becomes uuwise.
offensive SEA Improper whca tt attempts
to rule tAA5 uo aao shah be eligible 20
membership in the party umiess 20 agrees
with the majority ia all things
All vh0 suha-rioe 20 tho Fundamental
doctrines q Repuoue@s,lsrs should be ell.
e'nle 20 naenissrshgp vlIh equal rsxats
sad privilege Tae u4iarity Always has
che right - express Rev resolution t,s
sense upon certain question but thst
should nat - forced anen ere lasaer.,y
as a t7t; * teelty.