The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-04-19
STATE PLATFORMS.

IT is probable that the main features of
tically agreed upon before the meeting of
the convention next week. This is the
custom OF modern political conventions of
both parties, and any other course would
be exceptional. 1t is done to save time
and facilitate business. Some changes may
be made after a convention meets. but 1t
is good business management that the
main features of platform should be
agreed upon in advance.
State platforms I'm a presidential year
are not expected to be uniform in all re.
spects, and do not always clearly fore
shadow the national platform. Republican
sentiment on new questions may differ
somewhat in different States, and those
differences Of opinion may be reflected in
the various State platforms. Four years
ago the declaration of the Republicans Of
this State on the money question proved
to be much more nearly I'm accord with that
Of the national convention than was that
Of the Republicans of Ohio. That State
furnished the Republican candidate for
President, but he could not have been
elected on the Ohio platform, because it
was not calculated TO draw the sound
money and Independent vote of the coun-
try, which was necessary to his election.
In one respect all the Republican plat
forms adopted this year will agree. name
ly, in congratulating the country on the
redemption of the pledges on which Mr..
Mckinley was elected four years ago, and
I'm indorsing his administration. A strong
Endorsement in general terms will be suf-
ficient without going into details. because
the people realize what has been accom-
plished in the way of restoring prosperity
and good times, and they have entire con-
fidence that If reelected Mr.. Mckinley
will continue to administer the govern
ment as honestly, faithfully and patriotic
ally as he has done during his first admin
istration. They will not hold him respon-
sible for the war with Spain, because he
did not bring ii on, but they will give him
credit for the energy with which IL was
prosecuted to successful conclusion and
for the singleness of purpose with which
the national honor and national interests
have been guarded. at every stage of the
proceeding till the restoration of peace.
Considerable prominence has been given
and no doubt some of the State platforms
will allude to it. An Endorsement of Mr..
McKinleys administration in general
terms would seem to be sufficient without
referring specifically to a measure regard
ing the justice and policy of which there
is still decided difference Of opinion among
Republicans in this and some other States.
For all practical purposes the incident is
closed and the policy of the party is fixed
In that particular respect. for good or Ill.
opposed to the measure. and who would
be again If 1t were an open question. con-
sent for the sake of harmony and the good
of the party to regard 1t as a closed in
cident and let bygones be bygones. If
a mistake was made, as some think, there
is no necessity of emphasizing it, and if
those who think mistake was made are
themselves wrong there is no necessity Of
telling them so. Although the law is
of doubtful constitutionality and is pure
ly experimental and by its own terms short
lived. 1T is nevertheless the law. and Re-
publicans of all shades of opinion can af-
ford to let it go at that. In as far as
the Porto Rican tariff question is to be
treated at all it had better be left to the
national convention.