La Junta tribune., 1904-09-10
THREE QUEER PlANKs
IN PLATFORM WHICH PARKER
DESCRIBED AS ADMIRABLE.
Deaocrasic Declarations On the sAOpen
Door," "Retsrn To JenesSoa saoDiic-
isy'' and the LinitAsioa of Aone0ssies
Or Illegal Cesbiastjoas.

Alton r. Parker told the eoanjtsee
that notified him Of his nomination for
the presidency that the Democratic plat
form was admirable and points out
with force and drectne~s the course TO
be pursued in order TO insure needed re-
forms in both the legislative and admin
istratir@ branches Of government"
Here are three curious pianks that IT
would be interesting for Mr.. Parker To
demonstrate before the American people
with force and direciness," ars 'ad-
mira bie":
l. 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
b. able TO accomplish in furtbsrance OF
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: and
IL we cannot get the open door. why,
we're sorry, but then we would much
rather back down and let you close the
door ms tight as you want. rather than
ever have any unpleasant feeling about
II, 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.
.. The Democratic platform says;
1--WE believe that one OF the best methods
OF producing economy and honesty in
the public service is to have public OFF
cinls from the occupant OF the White
House down TO the lowest of them, re
turn ms nearly as may be to Jenersonian
simplicity OF living
The word return" and ms 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 no patriotic American who
should want President Roosevelt to be
more simple" in his living than he is al
ready noted for being. II 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 as 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 assnssins.
3. The Democratic platform says, ''pri.
vate monopoly is indefensibie and intol-
erable," and II adds that any trust or
unlawful combination engaged In inter
state commerce which is monopolixing
any branch of business or production
should not be permitted 10 transact buKi-
ness outside of the State OF its origin"
But how about monopolies that are
authorized by the government in Its con-
stitutional right 10 grant patents for orig
inaI inventionsr
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 official
privileges, to enjoy absolute monopoly
The Bell telephone is a monopoly. and.
on account of its patents, is legally 70.
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
II 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
portunt invention In the country