The Irish standard., 1898-07-09
A WEAK PARTY PLATFORM.

convention in ST. Paul last week was
one Of the weakest ever drafted by any
party in the United States. 1t scrnpu-
lously avoided any reference to state is
sues, while it lauded to the skies the
national policy and principles OF the
party. 1t declared uncquivocally for the
perpetuation Of the gold standard. for
territorial expansion, and the continu-
ance of the Dingley tariff but on every
thing pertaining to the state of Minre-
sofa 1t kept eloquently silent. The only
reference to state affairs was the recon-
mendation for legislation for better
roads; probably to enable Republican
candidates in future campaigns to reach
their constituents with less difficulty,
than at present to demand their votes
Not word in their platform concern
ing the management of railroads, or re-
lating to the timber or mineral lands,
banking institutions, or any corpora
tons whatsoever. They did not desire
to antagonize any Of them, and if elect
ed they cannot be charged with violating
their pledges or promises for they have
made none.
On matters outside their province and
on questions of national interest they
indulge in lofty flights of spreadeagle-
ism and exuberant verbosity-all empty
sound that signifies nothing to the yo-
tiers of the state so far as home legisla-
ton is concerned. In word the Re-
pubtcans of Minnesota do not recognize
single question in their platform which
can be lifted to the dignity of a state
ISSUE
On the other hand the platform adopt-
ed by the Democracy Of Minnesota, and
Endorsed by the Silver Republicans, is
a document which boldly exposes the
evils from which the state has suffered
under Republican rule. The following
facts are set forth:
First-During the period of Republic
can rule our people have seen their vast
heritage of public lands-agricultural
timber and mineral-an empire of itself,
irittered away at price ridiculous
when compared with their true value.
Second-They have seen millions Of
acres thus obtained wrongfully with
held from taxation.
Thtrd-They have seen the farmers,
toiers and producers of wealth compell-
ed to bear this increased burden of taxa
ton.
Fourth-They have seen them subject
cd to the most mercilcss exactions OF
railroads. warehouses and elevators and
other favored corporations. These
corporations. specially favored, in return
controlled legislation, directed nomina-
tions, and furnished the money to carry
elections. The policy of this class has
been to divide and ruin, then combine,
divide and ruin again.
fifth-Our banking institutions, estah-
lishcd to care for the deposits of the
people, have not had their condition of
solvency or insolvency examined by a
competent bank examiner. Even where
reports OF insolvency were made they
were withheld from public view.
Through wrongful combination at tls
state capitol millions have been lost tc
orr people, while the good name of our
state has suffered abroad.
SiNth-Thc offices of clerk of the su-
prcme court. oil Inspector, and surveyor
Of logs have been allowed to demand and
receive eXorbitant fees, amounting 10
$5o.000 annually. which, if at all proper
should have gone into the state treasury.
Instead thereof they have been used for
the most part to perpetuate "the ma
chine rule.
Seventh-Our railroad and warehouse
commission has failed to fully protect
the people. Unjust Determinations and
eXorbtant charges in railroad rates de-
mand a proper regulation by this COM
mission. In every portion of the state
equal and reasonable charges for trans
portation should be faithfully maintain
cd. The members open to appointment
by the governor should be subject to
election by the people.
Eighth-We arc even now confronted
by spectacle more humiliating. The
present administration, assuming to act
under the honored party name of Gree
! ley and Lincoln, attempts to provide for
| its succession. and uses therefor the
public machinery Of the state. The ia
vored corporations name a candidate, the
public officers execute. and thus 1t is
farcically proclaimed that the people
of Minnesota are to be allowed to con-
tinue In the enjoyment of good govern
ment and sound money"
| While the Republican party is silent
upon everything referred to in the
Democratic platform. and promises to
do nothing except to provide roads, the
Democrats and Silver Republicans
pledge themselves to the work of thor
ough and complete reform, and demand
that the public lands remaining unsold
shall be sold at their full value: that
all public institutions shall be managed