The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-07-02
The MINNESOTA PLATFORM

/
The republican state convention was
fimfammed in the matter Of the plat
form.
In discussing the probable action OF the
convention TIL journal stated,
few days ago: -
Our congressman believe they have done
right at Washington in acting freely In &C
cordance with their own convictions. They
ought not to object to a free expression by
the convention of its convictions.
But let us see what was done.
In the first place, the resolutions were
written in Washington. They were doc
tored at conference in st. Paul Monday
night, and were ready for submission TO
the convention at the proper tlme-tnat
is before the nomination Of candidates
was taken up. The report of the commit
tee on resolutions was called for lmme-
diately after the report Of the committee
on credentials, but 1T was not torSncom-
ing, although a copy Of the resolutions
reposed safely at that time In the SIDE
pocket of the gentleman who hnally reao
them to the convention, and were IN type
in the afternoon newspaper offices. 1t was
evidently part of the plan not to bring
them before the convention at tlme
when they would be likely to receive 1alr
and careful considerations On the COIL
trary. it was clearly designed that they
come at such time as they did come
when the convention should be In an up
roar. the work Of making ticket com
Melted and the delegates anxious to eaten
departing trains.
The platform reafirms the Phllaoelph1a
declaration, mourns the death OF Mckln-
ley and Davis, expresses pride IN the ao-
rninistration of President Roosevelt, con-
graduates the people upon the record OF
Governor Van SAINT, contains moderate
and sensible anti-merger plank, favors
tax reform, the adoption of constitutional
amendments, and the amendment propos-
ing TO increase the gross earnings tax $o1
railroads.: approves the party's Philip
nine policy, condemns the attacks on the
army and navy, favors tariff revision, IN
dorses reciprocity, approves the action
OF both the state and national govern
nents in the repression of monopolist1c
trusts, declares faith in the gold stand
ard approves a liberal pension policy,
calls for legislation to suppress anarchy,
favors the election of senators by the
people, favors an eight-hour day on pub
lie work, the adjustment of Sunday labor
where practicable, indorses the approach
ing convention in Minneapolis of en-
ployers and employees, and calls for tie
use of the union label on state supplies
wherever practicable r.
Upon all these matters there was little
chance for controversy. 1t was only with
regard to Cuban reciprocity that there
was likely to be any opportunity for
material difference of opinion. And in
this particular the platform Is miser-
able and cowardly straddle.
! It starts out with some high sounding
expressions of good wishes for Cuba, fol-
lows them up with 1--WE favor reciprocity
with Cuba, urged by President Roose-
yelt," and then goes on to specify that
that reciprocity must be brought about
f'by plan which shall insure the profit
able interchange of commodities, tnure to
the advantage of both nations, help the
Cuban people needing assistance, but the
chief benefits of which shall not enrich
l.
or which shall not interrupt our home
production In another place, the dele
CATION in both houses of congress is in
dorsed, not specifically as to Cuban reel
procity, but in general.
If there had been no controversy be-
tween the president and our delegation
and If our delegation had not been fatty
tn f,,ho
Ing the original bill, and then voting SOL
idly against the bill with the Morris
amendment attached doing away with the
differential which favored the sugar trus
this resolution on Cuban reciprocity
might be allowed to pass for the veal
and f1abby thing that it is. But 1t recog
nizes the conflict between the presiden
and the delegation and attempts to har
monize them in such a way as to favo
I the president on the one side and indors,
the attitude Of the delegation on thu
other. ~
The fact, however, that it was no
Il presented until more than half the dele
e gates had left the hall, and the remainde
were anxious to get away, Is proof enough
to any candid man that the trainers Of tn
resolution felt sure. that 1t would no
staLd analysis or survive full and fire.
consideration by the convention This i
further Indicated by the fact that whe
an effort was made to amend the resolu
tions by short, simple and direct state
ment of approval Of the presidents polio
Of reciprocity with Cuba, it was defeate
ty a resort to parliamentary tactics an
8 the application of gag rule.
The outcome is deplorab1e, not for 1t
q effect upon the cause Of Cuban reciprocit
at will 2be more likely to advance tha
cause than to injure it,, but It expose
the existence in republican councils of
dictatoriaL dominating: eabal resolved t
a force upon the party and incorporate l
it's formal expressions of belief that t
which the great majority do not subserib
Ind with which they are not in sympath,
This is mighty poor politics. It is not