New-York tribune., 1900-09-05
THE STATE PLATFORM


The address to the voters adopted by the Re
publican State Convention at Saratoga yester-
day leaves much to be desired as a piece or
English composition. Republican leaders would
do well to take a hint from the writer OF the
Kansas City platform and learn the value OF
putting political points effectively and in good
English and avoid the heavy. numbering phrases
which weary attention and tend to chill con-
viction in those who are addressed The Sara
toga declaration is happily free from traditional
buncombe, but 1t is frequently confused and
awkward in expression and would have been
much improved by pruning and recasting 1t
is said to have been the joint production OF the
Hon. John Raines and the Hon Lemuel E.
Quigg II this is true its defects may be due to
natural difficulty of collaboration between two
gentlemen one of whom has charged that the
other ought to be in the penitentiary. Perhaps
something is to be pardoned to the writer's IN
der such circumstances, and anyhow the plat
form makes up in substance for what 1t lacks in
form.
The Administration of President Mckinley is
cordially indorsed and the chief National issues
involved in this election are set forth. Especially
strong is the indictment of the Democrats for
their hypocrisy in proclaiming the sacredness
of the constitutional rights of inhabitants of an
nexed territories far distant while multiplying
| the Constitution in the Southern States and
forcbly governing thousands of American citi-
zens without their consent The planks con-
cerning the financial and tariff questions are
| sound and contain much information that is
worthy of consideration by voters.
The review of the last seven years Of Republi-
can State administration also contains mass Of
| facts and figures which must make thoughtful
voter hesitate to intrust New-York once more
| to the Democratic politicians whose scandalous
rule at Albany, eliminating in the theft of the
Legislature, has not yet been forgotten. For
these seven years the Republican party has
record Of solid achievement. 1t has enforced
the tax laws, increased the income OF the State
and local divisions reduced the tax rate in spite
Of the heavy expense of the State care OF the
insane. II has brought about ballot reform, has
strengthened the factory laws. has improved
the conditions of labor, and has gone as far as
present light on a difficult legal and industrial
problem warranted in the regulation Of trusts.
In every Legislature 1t is always a struggle to
secure the passage of good laws and prevent the
passage of bad ones, and the contests sometimes
leave the public with a sense Of disappointment
| but when the lawmaking of period Of years is
reviewed, as II is in this platform, and so much
OF actual good is seen to have been accom-
plished, the party responsible has right to ex-
pect the favor of the people.
The platforms declarations on three items of
State policy were awaited with special interest
The pledge that whatever improvements of the
canals the party. may hereafter favor shall be
undertaken only after the people have had
chance to know the exact scope of the proposal
and its cost is right matter of administra
ton and wise as a matter of politics. No large
scheme of improvement should be recklessly
, launched. The expenditure Of a reasonable sum
| for careful and estimates W M
mendable and the promise to deal intelligently
, yet conservatively with the results of such ex-
animation after the people have had chance
, to understand the situation is all that could be
! desired.
, The party also pledges itself to maintain the
: principle of franchise taxation. It might per-
, haps wisely have promised to give the existing
] law fair trial before substituting any new
| plan, and thereby have met the suspicion that
interests opposed to franchise taxation were
deeply concerned in securing the promotion Of
8 Governor Roosevelt. At the same time the law
t is an experiment and the party could not be
4 expected to commit itself to its maintenance in
{ all its present details.
/ The platform, perhaps out of regard for the
. feelings Of Mr.. Lauterbach does not contain
S the word Ramapo, but the Republican organiza-
C tion is squarely pledged to permit this city to
q ! condemn any needed watershed and to free il
s from the necessity of contracting with private
n company for additional supply. 1t is generally
Y believed that Mr. Coler has little chance Of the
Y Democratic nomination. But if he should secure
S 1t he will find the Republicans prepared to
meet him on his own ground How far these
a planks on franchise taxation and Ramapo
D | would have gone if he had not been remote
s possibility as the Democratic candidate fol
a | Governor is matter for speculation