Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1904-05-07
DISCUSSING
THE PLATFORM
Republican Leaders Decide on Tariff
as Principal Feature.
RECIPROCITY AND THE TRUSTS

Washington, May 4.-The platform
to be adopted by the Republican ma
tional convention has been among the
topics discussed at the conferences that
have taken place recently at the White
House, in committee rooms at the CAPT.
tol and at different residences where a
number Of Republicans have been as
sembled. Senator Lodge, who is slated
Tor chairman OF the committee on reso-
buttons at the convention, has prepared
preliminary sketches of various topics
that he thinks should be treated, and
has submitted them to senator's and
others for their approval or suggestion
as to amendment. 1t is expected that
before the convention meets a COM
plete platform will be prepared which
will have the approval of the presi-
dent
The principal feature OF the platform
viii be the tariff plank, which will de-
clare in the strongest terms the ad-
herence OF the Republican party to the
principles Of protection, but will not
bind the party not to revise the tariff.
1t will say that the party is not COM
changes should be made only when
changed conditions of business or the
treasury render 1t necessary or ad-
yisable. Persons present at the re-
cent conferences say 1t already has
been agreed that the tariff will be re-
vised in the 59th congress II the G.
publicans win in November
There is at present a determination
to make the plato m as brief as posi-
bic. consequently the endorsement OF
the administration and the acts Of the
party will be put in compact form. This
endorsement will be general approval
OF the course of the president and OF
the Republicans In congress.
The plank concerning trusts In effect
will declare that the laws for the regu-
lation Of monopolies and the restraint
or conspiracy against commerce were
enacted by the Republicans, and that
the enforcement of such laws have been
only by a Republican administration
1t also will say that it is not the policy
or intention of the Republican party
to assail Legitimate industry and bust
ness or to infringe on the rights OF
persons or property. Special attention
will be devoted to the phraseology OF
this plank
Some difficulty has been experienced
In finding the proper wording for q
reciprocity suggestion. Nearly all the
senators who have attended the recent
conferences have contributed their
share toward keeping the reciprocity
treaties negotiated by the Mckinley
administration closely confined in com
mittee pigeon holes. Reciprocity has
| not been popular In congress, and II
was with great effort that the Cuban
legislation was passed.
Mention of the financial question will
consist of an allusion to the mainte.
nance of the gold standard by the Re-
publican party and a promise to con-
tinue the finances OF the country upon
| a sound basis.
Disfranchisement- Of the negroes in
southern states will be denounced as an
encroachment on rights guaranteed by
the constitution.
There are several other suggestions
as to planks in the platform, but the
desire TO have the platform as brief as
| possible may eliminate them from con-
sideration as unnecessary at this time