New-York tribune., 1902-09-08
4 VOICE FROM WISCONSIN.


Every new platform adopted nowadays by a
Democratic State convention testifies 10 the
hopeless division Of Democratic counsels. We
have already drawn attention to the sudden and
violent reversals Of party policy effected this
year In Ohio and Iowa. In Ohio where Bryan
and Bryanism were hooted from the stage
wear ago. the Nebraska leader and his theories
are now restored to all their former sacrosanct
authority II the Sandusky platform reflects
the true drift Of sentiment il Ohio. II points TO
the recrudesceDce of the money question as q
living Democratic issue; if not in the form Of
demand for cheapened silver coinage, at least
as q crusade against wealth and capital-a
demagogic attempt to array 'the man against
the dollar" In Iowa on the contrary. devotion
TO the cause OF a debased and cheapened money
standard has waned since 1901. and this gears
convention. refusing TO indorse the Kansas City
platform in its entirety dropped the silver issue
out Of its reperfory and devoted its energies TO
ezploiting the evils of imperialism and trusts
s third State convention. held last week
found still another method Of illustrating the in
stability and vagaries Of Democratic opinion.
The Democracy of Wisconsin went through the
form on Wednesday Of drafting platform and
putting q State ticket in the field. Republican
dissensions this year have somewhat revived
the dropping spirits Of the Democratic organiza-
ton which for five years past has fought the
losing fight of Organism in q convinced and
stalwart sound money State Harmony was
made the watchword of this years gathering
William F. Villas, one Of the gold Democratic
leaders Of 1896. was welcomed back to the
fold, and took a most conspicuous role in the
conventions management On his advice and
through his influence, apparently, a platform
was written and rushed through which shows
no hint or trace OF kinship TO any recent state
uent Of Democratic faith But q single ma
fional issue is presented IN the resolutions pre-
pared and promulgated at Milwaukee; and in
The treatment Of that issue we recognize a touch
which has had no potency in national platforms
since the days Of 1883 and 1892. Here is the
Wisconsin reading of Democratic opportunity
and duty:
Approaching the burning and pressing neces-
sity for relief from the eXtortions TO which the
people are .yubjected, condemn the Repub-
lcen party for the enactment and maintenance
OF a tariff law which fosters trusts and enables
certain combna tions and corporal atoms 10 charge
American consumers eXorbitant prices for the
products Of their factories while selling the same
class Of goods TO European consumers at great
Iv reduced prices ANY law which ner
rnits American manufacturers 10 rob American
consumers, either directly or indirectly. is wrong
in morals, un-Anerican, un-Democratic and
subversive Of good government, and far as il
so operates demand its immediate and un-
conditional reDeaL
II is no wonder that some Of the delegates
who have been taking the Chicago and Kansas
City platforms seriously rubbed their eyes with
sstonishment when the farce Of adopting this
emasculated revision was run through. Nor is
II anv wonder that one back county delegate
found his breath long enough TO launch this
iaconic rebuke at the chairman Of the resolu- |
tions committee: II protest against the adoption
.'of this platform. Ii is un-Democratic. Ii is |
.4he dictation of corporations. 1t is fraud. 1t
asis fake" Nevertheless. when, after recover |
ing from their surprsse. the Bryan forces. be-
fore adjournment, offered tailpiece 10 the |
platform reaffirmng the party doctrines framed
at Kansas City, the convention managers raised |