Milford chronicle., 1904-09-09
THREE QUEER PLANKS
IN PLATFORM WHICH PARKER
DESCRIBED AS "ADMlRABLE."
Democratic Declarations on the "open
Door" "Return to Jefferson Simplic-
ity'' and the Limitation of NIonopoIies
or Illegal Combinations.

Alton B. Parker told the committee
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
be pursued in order to insure needed re-
forms in both the legislative and admin
istrative branches of government"
Here are three curious plAnks that it
would be interesting for Mr.. Parker to
demonstrate before the American people
with force and directness." are "ad-
mirable":
l. 1--WE 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
be able TO accomplish in furtherance Of
the open door. if the nations which
wanted a closed door were conversant
with the Democratic policy, which thus
in effect advertises to the world that
III we can get the open door, why, very
good and very nice, and thank you; and
if we cannot get the open door, why.
we're sorry, but then we would much
rather back down and let you close the
door as tight as you want, rather than
ever have any unpleasant feeling about
it, don't you know"
Great principles are never successfully
fought for by cOnceding at the start that
you are willing to back down if you
have to.
2. 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 Off
cials from the occupant of the White
House down to the lowest of them, re-
turn as nearly as may be TO Jeffersonian
simplicity Of living"
The word return" and as applied to
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 muir /
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. 1t 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 assassins.
3. The Democratic platform says, "pri-
yate monopoly is indefensible and intol-
erable," and it adds that "any trust or
combination engaged in inter
state commerce which is monopolzing
any branch Of business or production
hould not be permitted to transact bust
less outside of the State Of its origin"
But how about mOnopolies that are
authorized by the government in its con
titutional right to grant patents for orig
nal inventionsl
The platform does not except these
Had the trainers of this plank so little
PRACTICAL knowledge about monopoly that
hey did not know that the United States
overnment itself seeks to encourage in
ention by granting patents, or official
privileges, to enjoy absolute monopoly?
The Bell telephone is a monopoly. and. | &
n account of its patents, is legally so.
I the Democratic platform were put
ltO effect no important invention, like I
he telephone, unless the patent had run ]
ut, could be utilized by the American
eople, except in the particular State s
there the company which manufactured G
had its origin.
In this event the people Of the State d
New Jersey. where corporation organ
.ation seems easiest, might get a prac- $
nn1 90 q