The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1904-09-09
QUEER PLANKS
IN PLATFORM WHICH PARKER
DESCRIBED AS "ADMiRABlE."
Dem ocratic Declarations on the "Open
Door," "Return to Jefferson Simplic-
ityN and the Limitation Of MonopO1ies
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 1T
would be interesting for Mr.. Parker to
demonstrate before the American people
with force and directness,' are lad
mira ble":
1. "We favor the preservation, so
FAR AS WE CAN, of an open door for
the worlds m 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. IL 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
il 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 bou
1t, don't you know?
Great principles are never successfully
fought for by %conceding at the start that
you are willing to back down il you
have to.
2. The Democratic platform says:
1--WE believe that one of the best methods
Of producing economy and honesty in
<ho vubl;o C>ry;on &c 70 houa nnhlio or
Gals 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
~, that he be absolutely protected from
all danger Of meeting death at the hands
of cranks and assassins.
, 3. The Democratic platform says, "pri-
vate monopoly is indefensible and intol-
erable," and it adds that "any trust or
unlawful combination engaged in inter
state m which is m~onopolizing
any branch Of business or production
should not be permitted to transact bust
ness outside of the State of its origin
But how about m%Onopolies that are
authorized by the government in it's con-
stitutional right to grant patents for orig
inal inventions?
The platform does not except these.
Had the trainers of this plank SO little
practical knowledge about monopoly that
they did not know that the United States
vention by granting patents, or official
privileges, to enjoy absolute monopoly?
The Bell telephone is a monopoly, and,
on account OF it's patents, is legally so.
II the Democratic platform were put
into effect, no important invention, like
the telephone, unless the patent had run
out, could be utilized by the American
people, except in the particular State
where the company which manufactured
it had it's origin.
In this event the people Of the State
Of New Jersey. where corporation organ
ization seems easiest, might get a prac-
teal monopoly of the use of every i'm