The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-03-03
Minnesotans in Congress Will Not
Try to Influence State
As@s Convention.
Apprehensive, However, That
Platform Will Be Weak on
, Tariff Revision.
State Convention the Only Chance
to Declare on National
Issues.
From The Journal Bureau, Colorado Building,

Washington.
Washington, March 3.-The Mime
sofa delegation in congress does not |
plan to take any active part in the
selection of delegates to the Chicago
convention. |
Their views regarding kellogg and
Cotton were accurately outlined In
Mondays dispatches from this bu-
reau. Having indicated the impor-
lance of selecting delegates loyal to
Roosevelt and in sympathy with the
Canadian reciprocity and tariff re-
vision sentiment in Minnesota, no fur
Their word will be spoken by them
about the matter.
Further. the delegation will not
take any hand in the drafting Of the
platform to be adopted by the con-
Vention March II. Members Of the
delegation have their own views as
to the platform, but these views will
not be pressed on the convention.
Once in four years the party at
home has an opportunity to go on rec
ord on purely national questions That
time will come this month. The rec
ord to be made then will consist, in
part, Of the delegates selected to the
Chicago convention, and in part of
the platform that will be adopted.
81 "Stand-Pat" Platform.
1t is understood here that the con-
"standpat" tariff platform. Which,
ever way the convention acts. the
delegation here will be content. That
action will be binding on the delega-
ton for another four years, and no.
tice having been served on the party
In advance of the Importance Of it's
acts March II. the delegation will feel
that 1t is bound to accept the plat
form. AS expressive of party feel
ing in the state a "stand-pat" plat
form, of course. would mean that
there is to be nothing doing" here
as to Canadian reciprocity or tariff
revision, while the selection Of dele
gates supposed to stand for opposi-
ton to tariff revision would serve to
emphasize the situation.
If the party in Minnesota wants the
delegation in congress to busy itself
with reciprocity and tariff revision, it
must shape it's March platform to that
end and elect delegates. to Chicago
who will harmonic with the platform.
Two years ago the delegation went
home and took a prominent part in
the shaping Of state and district plat
forms. This was done, as the dele
cation then believed, in self-defense,
an issue having been made of the
delegations stand regarding Cuban
reciprocity.
No Emergency Exists.
But this year no such emergency ex-
ists and there is therefore no reason
why the delegation should interfere.
Nor does itwant to Interfere. The party
in convention will be able to decide
what it wants and to phrase those
wants in plain language.
1t is up to those who want the agi-
tation for Canadian reciprocity and
tariff revision continued and taken
UP by the delegation in Washington,
to get busy and see that these ques-
tons are embraced in the March plat
forms, more especially that to be-
adopted by the state convention.
From these viewpoints, it is believed
here that no more important state
convention will be held this year than
that set for Minneapolis, st. Patrick's
Day. Minnesota Is the western center
of republican agitation for reciprocity
with Canada. 1t divides with Iowa
favor Of tariff revision that will strike
at the great trusts. All over the
country this fact is we'll known.
If the convention, now almost at
hand, fails to take a stand on these
things, and goes on record as being in
favor of standing pat" the cause of
Canadian reciprocity will have been
done great injury, as will that of tariff
revision.
Personnel of Delegation.
Said a prominent member of the
delegation to your correspondent to-
day:
We will be inclined to look at the per-
sonnet of the delegate to Chicago as
closely as we will at the actual wording
Of the platform. Both will have weight
In bringing us to a determination as tC
what the real sentiment of the state is
We all desire to reflect that sentiment in
Washington.
1t won't do to permit the personality
Of gentlemen who want to go as delegates
to Chicago to obscure the real issue. The
present situation is a very interesting one
to say the least. The platform should be
very carefully considered and men ough
not to bs selected delegates simply be.
cause they are good fellows.
Each delegate ought to stand openly fo
a certain set Of political principles ant
these principles ought to harmonic witt
the prevailing party sentiment in thu
state. Any other policy will inevtabl.
lead to confusion and misunderstanding.
later on.
1t has been stated in the dispatche:
from Washington that certain mem
bers Of the delegation would return tt
the state for the purpose of taking
hand in shaping platforms, but late
thought. as already pointed out in thi
article, has changed this program ant
the delegation is now agreed that j
ought not to interfere in any way will
free and unprecedented action in tn,
party.
w w Jernape