The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-07-27
A Splendid PLATFORM.


Many men who aspire to public office
are chary about defining their position
upon public questions. Instead OF de-
claring their faith and promulgating
their creed, they try to be, as the Burke
man said of certain public man who
lodged during the prohibition campaign.
mutual" 1t has been too often the case
that men with positive views were not
regarded as available, while men who
had no convictions or had concealed their
views were regarded as the safest can
didates. In North Carolina it is to be
hoped that we have entered upon a bet
ter day and that the people will prefer
a candidate with the courage of his con-
,, victions, even if disagreeing with him
upon some points, to candidate who is
so general in his declarations that no
body can tell where he stands.
In Massachusetts, Hon. Chas. S. Ham
lin, who was Assistant Secretary of the
Treasury under Cleveland, has announced
his candidacy for Governor, and issued
manifesto that is a model of clear
ress and brevity. The people ought to
demand of all men who ask their suf-
, frage that they shall state their position
upon questions of public importance. Here
is Mr. Hamlin's declarations:
81 am a candidate for the Democratic
nomination for Governor. l believe, as
a candidate, 1 should make known my
position upon State questions in issue in
order that there may be no possible
doubt as to my views, whatever plat
form the convention ultimately may
adopt. If nominated, l shall take the
stump actively throughout the common
wealth in behalf of certain reforms which
I believe to be vitality necessary to eff
fective representative government, among
which are the following:
"a just apportionment of legislative
and Senatorial districts.
THE referendum as a popular check
upon representative government.
Home rule and increased legislative
powers for cities and towns.
prohibiting by law under heavy PEN
alties interference with the Legislature
or legislators by corporations by means
of campaign contributions or appoint
ments 20 office.
Rigid municipal control of public
utilities with a view to ultimate NUM-
cipal ownership whenever necessary to
make such control effective in the public
interest.
Grants by the Legislature or NUM-
cipalities Of rights in or along the pub
lie ways or streets to be subject to revo-
cation at the will of the grantor. When
not revocable. to be for short terms, for
adequate consideration, and subject to the
referendum A'
Concentration of executive power in
the office of governor with seats for
heads of departments appointed by the
governF in the Legislature.
vigorous opposition to the spirit of
commercialism which seeks to fasten it
SELF upon our institutions; which holds
up as an ideal the pursuit of wealth rath-
er than of happiness; which seems to
be founded on the conviction that money
is all powerful and that every man has
his price; which if not repudiated threat
ems to undermine our institutions and
to debase our national character. y
ST believe that these reforms, actively
discussed upon the stump, will appeal to
the conservative judgment of the people
of Massachusetts. If called upon by the
Democratic party as its representative
to advocate them, l shall appreciate the
honor conferred and shall carry out the
trust to the best of my ability
If Mr.. Hamlin lived in Nebraska,
many would say his platform was popu-
listie; if he lived in Ohio, the same sort
of folks would call it socialistic; but
as he lives in Massachusetts and is a
we'll known disciple of Grover Cleveland
robody applies these appellations to him
1t is hardly to be hoped that Massachu-
setts can give an open-hearted hearing
| to the issues Mr.. Hamlin raises-issues
which Republican control have made
living issues in the Bay State. But it
will make for the better understanding
OF the correct principles of State gov
eminent for a man of Mr.. Hamlin's abil-
/ ity and standing to emphasize their i'm
portance upon the hastings.