The Springfield herald., 1904-09-09
THREE QUEER PLANKs
IN PLATFORM WHICH PARKER
DESCRIBED AS "ADMiRAeLe."
Democratic Declarations on tho "opesa
door," "Return to Jefferson simplfc-,
ity" and the Limitation Of Monopoltes
or Illegal Com binations.

Alton B. Parker told the committee
that notified him OF his nomination for
the presidency that the Democratic plat
form was admirable and points oct
with force and directness the course to
be pursued in order to insure needed re-
forms in both the legislative md admin
istrative branches Of government
Here are three curious planks that it
would be interesting for Mr.. Parker TO
demonstrate before the American people
with force and directness," are nd
mira ble":
1, I'VE favor the preservation, SO
FAR AS WE CAN, of an open door for
the worlds commerce in the Orient
II Mr.. Parker were elected President.
what would his Secretary of State ever
be able to accomplish in furtherance or
the open door. IL the nations which
wanted a closed door were conversant
with the Democratic policy, which thus
in effect advertises to the world that
"If we can get the open door, why, very
good and very nice, and thank you; ana
il we cannot get the open door, why.
we're sorry, but then we weId much
rather back down and let you close the
door as tight as you want, rather than
ever have any unpleasant feeling about
it, don't you know?
Great principles are never successfully
fought for by conceding at the start that
YOU are willing to back down II you
have to.
2. The Democratic platform says:
"We believe that one of the best methods
of producing economy and honesty In
the public service is to have public ON
cials from the occupant of the White
House down to the lowest of them. re-
turn as nearly as may be to Jeffersonian
simplicity of living"
The word return" and as applied to
the occupant of the White House,
seems to be intended to intimate that
President Roosevelt should be more aus
tere in his manner of living, have less
enjoyable recreation from the worrying
responsibilities of his office, observe less
personal dignity in making the govern.
ment respected at home and abroad, and
mix more in large crowds where the muir
derous crank and the anarchist also mix.
There is no patriotic American who
should want President Roosevelt to be
more simple" in his living than he is al
ready noted for being. 1t should be the
loyal desire OF all people that the head
of the State be preserved in health and
body and vigor of mind during his term
of four years ns servant of the people.
that he be allowed sufficient opportunity
for wholesome amusement, and, especial
ly, that he be absolutely protected from
all danger of meeting death at the hands
of cranks and assassins.
3. The Democratic platform snys, "pri-
yate monopoly is indefensible and intol-
erable," and it adds that ANY trust or
unlawful combination engaged in inter
state commerce which is monopolizing
any branch of business or production
ness outside Of tie State of its origin"
But how about monopolies that are
authorized by the government in its con-
stitutional right to grant patents for orig
inal inventions2
The platform does not except these.
Had the trainers of this plank so little
practical knowledge about monopoly that
they did not know that the United States
government itself seeks to encourage in,
vention by granting patents, or official
privileges, to enjoy absolute monopoly?
The Bell telephone is monopoly, and,
on account of its patents, is legally 30.
II the Democratic platform were put
into effect, no important invention, like
the telephone. unless the patent had run
out. could be utilized by the American
people, except in the particular State
where the company which manufactured
it had its origin.
In this event the people of the State
of New Jersey, where corporation organ
ization seems easiest might get a prac-
teal monopoly of the use of every i'm.
portant invention in the country.