The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-07-17
PLATFORM PLEDGES
They Were Ignored in Wisconsin,
Says La Toilette.
HIS SPEECH OF ACCEPTANCE
No Excuse or subterfuge Will DO
Nov-EquaI Taxation and Nom
nations by Direct Vote.
Special to The Journal.

Special to The Journal.
Madison, Wis, July, 17.-Governor La
Fo1lette's speech Of acceptance was as
follows:
Gentlemen am informed by your cont
rnittee OF my nomination for governor Of tie
state OF Wisconsin. Z accept the nomination
with q deep sense OF the honor which is
conferred and Of the duty which is imposed.
am grateful for the approval Of the acts Of
the administration by the republican party,
for which you are authorized to speak, and
to which you have given strong expression
here to-day. Called second time to rep
resent the republican party as it's candidate
for governor, permit me, through you, to
convey my profound appreciation to your
constituents for this evidence Of their con-
tnued confidence.
When, William Mckinley was officially no.
titled OF hts denomination for the presidency,
he was able to say that faith with the public
had been Kept; that the pledges made ito the
people by the republican party had been re-
deerned. It has been the proud boast of the
rarty, from Idncoln to Roosevelt that its
obligations were always honored. A citizen
OF this country could at any time ascertain
the lines upon which the republican party
would legfslate by consulting It's platform
declarations It never equivocated; it never
lodged; It never straddled. In plain terms
tt presented its promises. In good faith 1t
redeemed them. ~-..<T sg.-.->.. g. F., -
Platforms Must Mean Something.
Political platforms. must be upheld If po-
aittcal parties are to be maintained. Their
declarations are the expression Of the DELHI
crate Judgment, the consensus Of opinion,
the common intent, the generally accepted
and well understood policy Of the party on
important issues. Platform pledges express
the convictions of the party and are the in
ducernents offered 10y the party for the votes
Of the people. They are the party's promise
to do specific things. They are the voters
guide in determining with what party he
will afalfate They constitute a written con-
tract, deliberately entered into with every
man who casts his vote for the candidates
OF That party. a. =
They are the unwritten but Interchangeable
law Of political ethics. They enforce them
selves between the candidate and the party,
the ofaeial and the public a
Pledges Broken.
That the platform promises OF the repub-
hcan party have been broken and It's honor
stained In Wisconsin, no man Is permitted
truthfully to deny. After years OF discus
sion Of just and equal taxation and nomina-
ton by direct vote, no party platform
pledge 70 these issues could have been
adopted unanimously two years ago unless
that platform proclainued the will Of the re-
publican party. That many legislators re-
nained loyal to the party and faithful to
their constituents for the enactment Of these
pledges into law, battling for the right ard
steadSastly endeavoring to hold the party
erect IN honor, will never he forgotten by the
people OF Wisconsin,.
Opposition to that platform sought to JUS
tfy itself upon the plea that the pledges
were not well Understood and did not rep
resent the real sentiment OF the party. That
claim will not be made again. For eighteen
months the debate has been on. II the ar
suments have not always been addressed to
reason: II the discussion has not always
been parliamentary, at least the lines have
been clearly drawn and the count finally.
made.
No Misunderstanding Now.
There can be mo- MISUNDERSTANDING dis to
the republican platform OF 1902. Whatever
differences Of opinion individuals may have
heretcfore entertained. as republicans they
must now acquiesce lii tEss expressed viii 81
the party. II has spoken Id no uncertain
voice for the enactnent OF these platform