Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1902-08-23
Theories Compared.

There are two theories in regard to
the construction of a political platform.
The old time-honored theory was that
it should represent as far as possible
the thought and will of the people
composing the party on matters of
public concern. In the old times the
individual delegates came to the con-
vention well informed as to the wishes
of their several communities and often
with one or more resolutions il their
pockets embodying propositions based
on such wishes and ideas. These res
olutions were referred to the proper
committee and there received honest
and respectful consideration. The re-
port OF the committee gave it's judg-
ment as to the will of the party as
learned from the various sources of in
formation accessible to it, The con-
vention took the report. discussed it,
accepted it as offered, added to or took
from it by amendments and finally gave
it to the party as a statement of faith
representing as far as possible it's
average concensus Of opinion upon sub
jects OF state and national interest.
Such platform meant something; 1T
represented something; the party
members gave it their respect and
readily acquiesced in it, though there
might oe room for criticism or even
| Il lSrpc
statement OF some OF its propositions.
| But bow is it with the new method
of constructing a state platform as il
lustrated by the proceedings of the last
two conventions, especially the last?
Here it is, honestly stated, without en-
| largement or modification: The con-
yention embles; the committee on
resolutions is appointed; the chairman
receives from the circumambient air,
or somewhere, a ready-made platform,
complete in all its proportions and
trimmed to the last frill. Some ven-
| turesome member Of the committee
suggests an amendment; the instructed
majority promptly vote it down; an
other amendment is offered and pressed
that The majority are argued to stand
/ ssss1i al .val1 a halt, while 4 mem Der is
sent into the circumam bient air to con-
suit with some hidden divinity from
whom the table of law had emanated.
tie returns speedily with the word that
the proposed change cannot be permit
ted. So the platform" is reported as
received. An effort is made from the
floor to discuss it but the would be
critics are hOwled down. Even the
most distinguished mem bers of the con-
vention, who have regulations as found
ers of the party, as statesmen, as hon
ored soldiers, are refused a hearing
and have to sit down in storm of
groans, Kisses and catcalls. The "plat-
form y is then endorsed with whoop,
and the organs of the press take up
the cry and warningly tell the party
that obedience to the party man
date is their first duty and the accep-
tance of the 'splatform" as Illuminated
in its absolute entirety is the only evil
dence OF party fealty. This is an un-
varnished statement of the method by
which the Republican party of Wis
con,in is to-day held up and has it's
work cut out for it. Is it strange there
is discomfort if not rebellion in the
ranks? A packed convention and a
ready made platform. the work of one
man, lay small obligations on the party
]-Whitewater Register.