New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-09-25
THE PLATFORM.
today.

| II is not a specially difficult task TO write
| a good Republican platform in this State. The
! subject lends itself to felicitous treatment.
| 1t is the Democrats who have trouble. They
| must draft declaration that means every
thing and nothing harmonzes the irreconcil-
able. abandons Organism without alternating
Bryanites. wins Gold Democrats without adopt
! ing their principles, and convinces people that
| everything in State and nation is wrong, while
they are unable TO propose one sane. safe and
workable measure TO set 1t right. The
| Republicans go into this campaign with a
| record of having brought this country TO a
| hitherto undreamed of condition of prosperity,
| and of having given TO this State business
| ike economical administration which even
partisan zeal finds it difficult to criticise Under
| such circumstances the task Of the platform
maker is simply the task of telling the truth
and setting forth the we'll settled principles of
the party. inteligenty applied TO the solution
of the immediate problems of State and
| national government.
This Work has been admirably done. The
platform adopted at Saratoga conyincingly
reviews the recent performances Of the party.
which are now submitted to the judgment Of
the people. and indicates with dstnctness
what may be expected if its candidates are
victorious in the coming election. Special
emphasis is rightly given 10 State issues: for
this is principally a State campaign, though as
| there are Congressman TO be chosen attention
is also given 10 national problems and the atti-
tude of New-York Republicans toward them Is
indicated In fitting terms sorrow is expressed
for the tragic death of President Mckinley, and
commentator is given 10 the son Of New
York who is making courageous and honest
efforts to bring TO a successful contamination
the great problems left unsolved at his acces-
sion to the Presidency. His denomination is
recommended in these terms: I'VE look for
ward with confidence to his election TO the
presidency in 1904. and far this con-
'vention has the power we pledge thereto the
earnest efforts Of the Republican party OF
this State" The organization could do no
more. Neither this convention nor its successor
two years hence will commission the delegates
to vote for Mr.. Roosevelt's denomination. All
but four of them will be chosen in their sepa-
rate Congress districts and must receive their
instructions from the people Of their own
neighborhoods The sentiment of the Repub-
lican party of New-York. however. is unmstak-
ably and unanimously expressed
The party sQuarely pledges itself in favor
of reciprocity with Cuba. both for its benefit
and our own and recommends the sane policy
OF extending to the Philippines such measure
of self-government as their development in
time NAV Justify. The integrity of the pro-
tective principle is steadfastly demanded and
opposition is declared to unlawful combinations
tending to destroy competition 10 increase
the cost of lifes necessities. The President
is making vigorous efforts to enforce the
national antitrust laws. which of Republi-
can origin. and the platform pledges the party
in New-York to the continued enforcement of
the State antitrust laws and their further
strengthening if necessary. constitutional
amendment is favored enabling municipalities
to secure for laborers on public work the pre-
vang rate of wages for an eight-hOur day.
The platform treats ably snd at length the
leading topics of State administration. Gov
ernor OdelI has so conducted the business of
the State and developed new sources OF. reve-
nue. that in one year 100000 Of new income
has been secured and the outlay has been de-
creased by 100000 This saving of $4,000
has been achieved without depriving any
branch of the States activities of due support
without the imposition of direct taxes and
without placing the burden of indirect taxes
unfairly on any class business or section. The
party is squarely pledged to the continuance
of this policy and to the enactment of laws
forever insuring freedom from direct State
taxes.
The problem Of public improvements is met
with comprehensive suggestion The canals
must be developed to secure the continued ST. |
premacy of our State. That the benefits of
such supremacy and Of larger markets at tha
centres of population may extend all over the
State, it is wisely determined to deyelon good
roads on large scale so that the farmers NAV
have better access for their products IN the
places where improved canals will create q
greater demand. Road and canal improve |
ments are Ego hand in hand. The chief oh |
stacle to their Improvement is the constitu |
tion which prohibits long term bonded debt
As the Republicah party does not believe in
yearly taxaa1p1 for the sums necessary to
make moderN canals and modern roads if nro
poses constitutional amendment allowing ex
tension of the time of payment If this amend |
ment is made and the people vote to undertake |
the enterprises it will favor the deveIopment
OF new Indirect sources of revenue to meet
the expense. This is a novel and important |
suggestion, and shows a far seeing determine |
ton, while refraining from direct taxation NOT |
TO let the industries of the State suffer En- |
hghtened progress not niggardy stappation |
marks the business policy of Governor OdeIl |
These are the questions which will chiefly
interest voters this fall, and on all of them the
Republican party takes a stand which we |
beheVe VIII md favor with thoughtful citizens |
everywhere Its policy considers the interests |
Of the whole people, looks to the building I'D of |
the prosperity of every part of the State and |
&C. +ln1 Arrsnn