Idaho Springs siftings., 1904-09-10
THREE QUEER PLANKS
IN PLATFORM WHICH PARKER
DISCARDED AS ADMIRABLE"
Democratic Declarations on the "Opeu
Door" Return to Jefferson Simple
ity" and the Limitation of Monopoiiev
or Illegal Com binations-

Alton r. Parker told the comnitte.
that notified him OF his nomination FOR
the presidency that the Democratic plat
form was admirable" and points out
( with force and directness the course to
Z be pursued in order to insure needed re-
forms in both the legislative and admin.
istrative branches OF government
Here are three curious pianks that Il
( would be interesting for Mr. Parker TO
demonstrate before the American people
with force and directness," are "ad-
mira bic.
1. We favsr the preservation. SO
+ FAR AS WE CAN, of an open door for
the worlds commerce IN the ORIENT
I IL Mr., Parker were elected President
what would his Secretary Of State ever
be able TO accomplish in fartherance OF
the open door. il the nations which
wanted a closed door were conyersant
with the Democratic policy. which thus
{ ia effect adyertises to the world that
"lf we can get the open door. why. very
good and very uiee. and thank you: and
II we cannot get the open door, why,
we're sorFy, but then we would much
rather back down and let you close the
! door as tight as You want, rather than
ever have anx unpleasant feeling about
ii. don't you know
Great principles are never successfully
fought for by coneeiing at the start that
You are Hillin. to back down IL you
have to.
.. 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
Gals from the occupant Of the White
House down TO the lowest OF them. re.
simplicity OF living
The word return and as applied ,,
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 mur-
derous crank and the anarchist also mix.
There Is patriotic American who
should want President Roosevelt to be
more simple" in his living than he is al
ready noted for being. IL 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 year, as servant Of the people
that be 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 crsnks and assassins.
3. The Democratic platform says, "pri-
sate monopoly Is iniefensihle and infoi-
erAble," and il adds that any trust or
unlawful combination engaged In inter
state commerce which is monopolizing
any branch Of business or production
should not be permitted to transact bust.
ness outside OF the State Of its origin"
But how about monopolies that are
authorized by the government in it's con
stitutlonal right 10 grant patents for org
insl inyeutions7
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 10 encourage in
vention by granting patents, or oflciai
privileges. 10 enjoy absolute monopoly
The Bell telephone is a monopoly, and.
on account OF its patents. is legally 80.
IL 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
/, had its origin.
In this event the people of the State
Of New Jersey. where corporation organ
ixation seems easiest. might get a prac-
teal monopoly OF the use OF every i'm
portant invention in the country