The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-04-15
Ar SEA OVER A PLATFORM.

Now that the Democrats are getting to-
gether on a candidate it appears they are
likely to have no end of trouble regarding
platform. Two things are essential in
a presidential campaign-a candidate and
platform. For a long time the Democrats
have been at sea regarding both. They
have been beating the bushes for candi-
date and trying TO make an issue out OF
everything that came along. Just now they
show signs of uniting on Judge Parker,
though Bryan. Hearst & Co. may prevent
their doing so. but the question of a plat
form is looming up in a very threatening
manner.
The Bryan-Hearst faction may not be
able to control the action Of the national
convention, but they certainly can influence
H. Everybody knows what the Bryanites
will demand in the way of platform, but
nobody knows what the Hearstites will de-
mand Bryan's ultimatum is reaffirmation
of the Kansas City platform, and the
Hearst managers will probably demand the
insertion of a plank leaning towards So
cialism.
To compiicate matters, it is said that
David Il. Hill and Judge Parker have split
over the kind of platform to he adopted
at the Democratic state convention of New
York, to be held the 18th inst. AS Hill
is managing the Parker boom he claims
the right of practically debating the plat
| form of the state convention, which is to
instruct for Parker. He has taken the
| ground that a sop Should be thrown out
| To the old radical element of the party,
| the Bryanites, in the state platform as
means of strengthening Parkers candi-
dacy before the national convention. On
| the other hand. the prospective candidate
| wants a conservative platform. Hill is
| said to desire plank in the platform favor
| ing government and municipal ownership
| of public utilities. while Judge Parker
| thinks such a declaration would be grave
mistake. In short, Hill is in favor of hold
| ing out the olive branch to the Bryanites
and Socialists, while Judge Parker is OPP
posed to anything of the kind.
The New York State platform of 1902.
drafted by ex-senator Hill, contained the
| following:
| We advocate the national ownership and
| operation of the anthracite coal mines by
/ the right Of eminent domain, with just
| compensation to owners. Ninety per cent
| of the anthracite coal deposits of the world
| being in the State of Pennsylvania, ma
| tional ownership can but be in the interests
| of the whole people Fuel like water, being
| public necessity, We advocate national
| ownership and operation of the mines as a
solution of the problem which will relieve
4 the country from the sufferings which fol-
4 low differences between labor and capital
| in the anthracite mines.
That was Mr.. Hills idea of statesman
ship and public policy when the anthracite
| coal strike was attracting attention. That
being a thing of the past he, of course,
| would not repeat that declaration, but he
| would like to embody the idea in some
other form. Judge Parker does not be-
lieve in anything of the kind, and has
| given Mr.. Hill to understand that if the
party nominates him it must not put him
| on that kind of platform. AS the national
convention will probably to some extent
follow that of New York the clash over the
platform may develop which is the real
hoss-Hill or the candidate he is BOOM
| ing