Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1899-02-18
EalIacieS ENpOSeI

ROSIBl re, MD. req. 10, 1893.
To the MINING JOURNAL.
In his last letter in the Star a"Plat
form Republican" appears to be still
struggling with the same difficulty
which was apparent in his eallier let
tiers. he has always seemed unable to
comprehend the fact that there can be
such a thing as public welfare AS dis
tingulshed from party success. He al
ways appears satisfied when he thinks
he has shown that anything is in ac-
cordance with party rules or promotion
Of party welfare.
When, IN letter previous to the
last, he acknowledged himself unable
to find anything to answer in my letter,
| offered 10 change the thesis to e
involving only party questions, hoping
thereby to reach something which he
could comprehend The result has
been happy, in that it has brought out
what is, as a whole, the most logical
letter he has yet written. | offered to
maintain the proposition that "the
spolls system was opposed to the prin-
ciples of the republican party" and for
this purpose quoted the platform.
He promptly upsets the whole prop
osltlon by declaring that parties have
no principles. The photographers de-
fine ''principle' as "a settled rule of
action" But the gentleman says that
parties have no ''settled rule of ac-
ton )" that if IA public officer believes
that party sentiment has changed, he
must disregard the platform promises.
Principles they cannot be under such
doctrine. If he is charged with be-
ing false to platform promises it is a
sufficient defense to say that he thought
the public sentiment had changed, and
that he was at liberty to disregard the
platform.
Mr.. Sloan, doubtless, believes that
public sentiment supports him in his
action in regard to appointments IN his
office If so, platform Republican,
certainly cannot consistently criticise
him.
In accordance with this doctrine, if
the merit system Is unpopular, it
should be thrown overheard. If reel
proclty Is unpopular, it should follow.
If protective tariff is not in accordance
with public sentiment, there is no
reason why it should not go also. As
matter of common consistency the
same rule is applicable to all the 'prln-
ciples and policies" mentioned in the
platform.
The question naturally arises What
is left ! The answer is-spoils. Here
we have the essence of party organi-
cation as viewed by Il spokesman.
This is the organization to which |
objected, in a previous letter, as IAN
organization which exists for partisan
welfare with public purpose as a
mere excuse for its existence"
Here we have the direct approval of
the practice of throwing aside platform
promises whenever the managers may
choose to assume that public senu-
ment has ehanged.n
The conclusion Of the republican
platform has these words-''By these
principles we will abide, and these
policies we will put into execution" A
platform Republican" would proba-
bly, add-provided, we do not conclude
in the meantime that public sentiment
has changed.
His holding the presidents action
as demonstration OF the morality of
repudiatlng platform pledges reads
like bit of seventeenth.century argu-
ment in support of 1.-The Divine Right
Of Kings" In his view the president
having done it, it is all right. The
king can do no wrong"
The gentleman affects to see in the
action of the committee of the VIII ole
reflection of the will of the people,
but fails to explain why the same re-
Hector did pot reflect the same thing
when the measure came before the
House and the people could see who
are doing the "reflecting." The mem,
bers were by no means 50 certain Of
the change of public sentiment when
they came to record their votes in pub
lie view. VOTER.
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