The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-05-13
DRAF'TE
BY PARKER
National Democratic Platform
Of Eigllty-four Was Pre-
pared by Him.
WAS MEMBER Of COMMITTEE
Conditions Existing Then Are
in Many Respects Similar
to Present Situation.

WASHINGTON, d. c., May 12.--Though
Judge Alton E. Parker Will not talk for
publication now, discovery has lust
been made which makes clear his posi-
tion On public questions a Southern
Democrat in tho city to-day has found
that the Judge was a member Of the
committee which drafted the Democratic
platform at the convention which nomi-
mated Mr.. Cleveland for the presidency
In 1854 and 1t is said, that Mr.. Parker
contributed more than a fair share to me
platform as whole. He was also a
member of the committee which drafted
tho platform of the New York Demo-
Gratis In 1885, and 1t Is believed that
he was the controlling factor In the
committee.
This Southern Democrat, who declines
to allow his name to be used, went to
New York recently for the purpose of
;lscertaining the Views Of Judge Parker
on public questions He was unable to
make the chief justice break the silence
in which he has been wrapped ever since
he has been mentioned as candidate
for the. presidency, but he did unearth
the apparently forgotten fact that Judge
1'dIhGT Idu UeSIl u IIlcluUtI VI Tie 1,ldl.
form Committee Of the two conventions
and he learned from them the views
which Judge Parker will not now ex-
press.
Conditions Existing in '84.
Conditions are almost exactly similar
to those which prevailed in 1884. Corrup-
ton in public office is rife and there is
great demand for tariff reform. The
opening paragraph Of the platform Of
1SS4 is as follows:
'The Democratic party Of the Union
recognizes that as a nation grows older,
new issues are born Of time and pro-
gress, and old issues perish; but the
Fundamental issues Of the Democracy,
approved by the united votes Of the peo-
Pile. remain, and will ever remain, as the
best and only security Of free govern
mcnt. The preservation of personal
rights, the equality Of all citizens before
the law, the reserved rights of the
States, and the supremacy Of the Fed
oral government within the limits OF the
Constitution. will ever form the true
basis OF our liberty and can never be sur
rendered without destroying that balance
of rights and powers which enables
continent to be developed In peace and
social order to be maintained by means
Of local support.
The platform Of 1884 contained this pow
erful arraignment of the Republican
party, an Indictment that was framed III
part by Judge Parker, and which finds
echoe in the speeches made In the last
session Of Congress by Minority Leader
Williams, Bourke Cochran, Champ
Clarke, De Almond and other Democrat
lie leaders: 1.-THE Republican party, so
far as principle is concerned, Is RENT
nlscence. In practice. 1t Is an organiza-
ton for enriching those who control Its
machinery. The frauds and tobbery
which have been brought to light IN
every department Of the government are
sufficient to have called for reform with
in the Republican party: yet those III
authority have succumbed to its corrupt-
ing influence. -
The Republican Administration.
1.-The Republican party during It's legal.
its stolen and its bought tenures OF
power, has steadily decayed IN moral
character and political capacity. It pro-
fesses desire to elevate labor. 1t mas
subjected American worklngmen 70 the
competition OF convicts and imported con-
tract labor. 1t processes pledge to cor
rect the Irregularities OF our tariff II
created and has continued them 1t
proposes the protection OF American Ia
Dor. It has depleted the returns OF
American agriculture and industry fol-
lowed by half our people. 1t accepts
anew the duty Of leading In the work
of progress and reform Its caught
criminals are permitted to escape through
contrived delays or actual connivance IN
thet prosecution. Honeycombed with cor
ruption. outbreaking exposures no longer
shock its moral sense. Its honest MEM
hers its independent journals no longer
maintain a successful contest or author
ity in its councils, or vote on their
nominations
After pledglng the party to purify tho
administration from corruption. 10 re-
store economy. to revive respect for law
and to reduce taxation 10 the lowest
nreservatlon OF the faith OF the nation
n it's creditors and pensioners" the DEM
ocratic platform of 1854, which Judge
parker helped to make, says about tariff
revision:
On Tariff Reform.
"Knowlng full well that legislation
affecting the occupations OF the people
should be cautious and conservative ~
,,,sthnd NOT in advance of public opn-
ion mt responsive to It's demands, the
Democratic party is pledged 10 revise tile
tariff in a spirit of fairness 10 az ~
terests. But in making reauctioi' -.
taxes 1t is not proposed 70 ih1ure any
domestic industries, but rather 10 prolio.e
their healthy growth Many Industries
have come to rely on legislation for sue
cessful continuance, so that every change
ne law must he, at every step, regardful
Of the capital and labor thus involved.
The process of reform must be sup1ect
in the execution of this pam nlcthte ol
Justice. All taxation shan pc llnlteu 10
the requirements of economical govern
ment. The necessary reduction In taxa
ton can and must be effected without
deprivipg American labor OF the aplhty
to compete successfully with torelsn
labor and without imposing lower rates
of duty than will be ample 10 c1Her
any increased cost of production "hlch
may exist In consequence of higher rates