The age-herald., 1900-07-09
OPINIONS ON THE
 DEMOCRATIC PLATFORM


 David B. Hill: "The action of the com mittee on platform was a disappointment to the conservative portion of the conven- tion. The reiteraton of the financial plank of 1896 was carried in the committee by only two majority, in which there were five Territories which have no votes at an elec- tlon. The possible Democratic States of the east and nearly all the middle States were against the reiteration of the financial plank. This forenoon the committee amend ed the proposed platform by declaring im- peralism to be the paramount issue of the campaign This relieved the situation great ly and prevented the making of a minority report and a fight in the convention It was because the reiteration of the money plank would make it the paramount issue of the campaign that it was objected to, but the declaration that imperialism was the leading issue changed the entire sit uation. I should have preferred modifica- ton of the financial plank It would have made the ticket stronger in the east and rendered success more probable. The New York member of the platform committee, al- though voting in the committee against the financial plank, declined to make any mil nority report with the others, and New
 
 largely to the result. The platform in other respects is quite satisfactory. My remarks in the convention seconding the nomina- ton of MT. Bryan express by views of the political situation. I expect to support the ticket and trust that it may be triumph antly elected"
 Senator Jones: q am entirely satisfied with the platform. It ought to be satisfac- tory to every Democrat by the fact that it was unanimously adopted by the plat form committee, which contained men of differing views. It presents the issues of the campaign very fairly, and will commend itself to the thoughtful and patriotic citi- zens of the country
 Richard Croker: '"The platform is all right. It is splendid. have not studied 1t carefully, but heard every word of it as Senator Tillman read it. It suits me; it is big enough and broad enough for all Democrats, and I believe it will suit all Democrats. It is good enough for all to stand upon. I could not say more if I tried. As for our candidate, Bryan, he is going to win We will carry New York state for him surely, and predict now that he will be elected President of the United Q States'
 John P. Altgeld: 'I regard the platform as the strongest ever adopted in this coun- try. We have started tidal wave of Americanism which will sweep from ocean to ocean. With the ides of November mill itarism, imperialism, McKinleyism and Hannaism will pass from America forev- err"
 
 Senator Daniel "The platform will be the bond which will reunite the Democracy of the country. It will prove satisfactory to Democrats of whatever opinion regard ing the financial question. It is very strong and will meet with approval everywhere"
 
 Carter Harrison q am perfectly satis- fled. Making anti-imperialism the para mount issue for the coming campaign is even better than what we were fighting for in the committee resolutions. All that we asked was that the convention should not specifically reaffirm the old money plank of the Chicago platform, because all feared it would be made the dominant issue in the campaign Anti-mperialism is the issue, and, in my judgment, we can win upon the platform. It is even better than we asked"
 
 George Fred Williams: "There is no pro- testing voice against the platform and the selection of Bryan. There will be no sub ordination of the silver question, but it is evident to everybody that the great men ace of the times is the imperialistic policy of the present administration. I think the party will be very much stronger every where for the action of the committee on ,l.o Of,, must rely, on Bryan for leadership will admit his masterly and insuperable quail ties as a leader, and they are fortunate to be able to put him in command on the platform that was agreed to. The plat form emphasizes the leadership of Bryan and presages victory in November
 
 b L. Metcalf: "The platform is entirely satisfactory to MT. Bryans friends. The convention has acceded to the candidates disre for a specific reiteraton of the Is to 1 plank of 1896 in it's declaration of prin- cples, and in doing it has placed the party on record as having the courage of its convictions and as refusing to take step backward or to repudiate any of the principles on which it has fought the bat ties of the past four years. The statement that imperialism is the paramount ques- ton in this campaign is simply state ment of fact and does not operate against the dignity of the money question. The platform seems to be well received and the convention proceedings today were full of promise of victory
 Senator Tillman: "All the bitterness, if there is any, has passed away, I think. I think there was more earnestness than bitterness in the debate Wednesday night, though there some vitriol in the lan- guage used by some of the speakers. We have given eur affirmation friends bridge on which to cross all the ditches as they come along. Mark Hanna and Mckinley must look out. Complete harmony now prevails and everybody is happy