The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1900-06-18

AFTER Calling Attention to Promises
Made at st. Louis In 1896, Nearly
All of Which, 1t Says. Have Been
FULFILLED, the Documents Takes Up
New QuestiOns-COmm Presi-
and In Everything Else.
Philadelphia, June l7.-For the first time
since the Republican leaders began to as
semble in Philadelphia there has been
to-day some earnest work upon the plat
form, and a draft has been completed,
which. it is believed. will receive the ap-
proval of the convention.
This document was prepared in part,
before coming to Philadelphia, by Post
master General Smith. and it is under
stood it was submitted to the President
for his inspection and approval before
Mr.. Smith left Washington.
Mr.. Smith was in consultation during
the greater part of the afternoon with
Senator Foraker, who. 1t is understood,
will be chairman of the Committee on
Resolutions. The Senator himself has
given considerable attention to the pre-
paration of the declaration CT principles
and he added considerably to Mr Smiths
draft
The instrument as SO far prepared, is
Of considerable length. but very clear cut
and emphatic in its enunciations. It be-
gins by calling attention to the promises
that were made in the ST. Louis Con-
vention of 1896, and after enumerating
them, declares that faith has been kept
in al 6x,
the statutes which the last Congress add
ed to the laws of the country. Especial
attention is called to the fact that the
platform of 1856 promised that the coun-
try should be put upon the gold standard
and that this pledge has been faithfully
maintained. There is a clear and distinct
declaration for the maintenance of this
standard, and the resolutions as so pre-
pared. make no reference to bimetallism.
The resolutions also contain the usual
declaration for a protective tariff.
S1cI<in1cy's Philippine Policy.
The Presidents policy with reference
to the Philippines is indorsed throughout
and his conduct of the war with Spain is
upheld in the strongest terms of commen-
dation and praise
The Presidents course on the Boer-Brit-
ish entaglement is also indorsed. and at
tention is called to the fact that under
his guidance the United States has been
the only nation to offer intervention be-
tween the warning nations.
The President also comes in for praise
because of his attitude in The Hague
Peace Conference, and the administrati ton
is especially commended for its position
and its accomplishment in the matter of
an open door in China.
There is noreference to the present crit
ical condition in China. The shipping sub
sidy bill is Endorsed.
The legislation towards which attention
| is especially directed as having been ae-
complished in accordance with the party
pledges in addition TO that concerning the
| finances includes the Dingley tariff law
the annexation OF Hawaii and the fiber
alton of Cuba from Spanish domination
The country is also felicitated upon The
acquisition of Porto Rico.
The plank on the Philippines is prac-
tically in the language of the Presidents S
message, promising the restoration of or
der and the establishment OF authority in
the islands. and the granting of self-gov-
ernment as soon as the Filipinos show
that they are prepared for 1t.
Mild Trust Plank.
On the question of trusts. the platform
recognizes the right of capital to combine
tor industrial purposes, but condemns all
conspiracieS in restraint of trade and the
limita ton of prices. .
There will be declaration for an 18TH
mian canal rather than for canal via
the Nicaragua route specifically, pending
the report of the commission appointed
to investigate.
A promise will be made to redeem the
promise to establish independence In Cuba
as speedily as practicable, and a demand
will be made for the condign punishment
of crimes committed by officials in Cuba.
Legislation for the restoration of the
merchant marine will be indorsed.
There is a proposition to express at least
the hope with reference to China that
that empire shall not be dismembered A
demand will be made for the protection
of American missionaries and other
Americans in China.
H. II. Hanna, who is credited with the
authorship of the gold standard bill, was
in conference with Messrs. Smith and For
aker for some time to-day with reference
to the financial plank of the platform.
He is especially anxious that this plank
should be unequivocal in its language, and
that no concession should be made to the
silver interest. The representatives from
the Western states are antagonizing him
somewhat on this subject, but Mr. Hanna
expresses confidence that no concession
will be made.