The Teton peak., 1904-09-08
THREE QUEER PlANKS
IN PLATFORM WHICH PARKER
DESCRIBED AS ADMIRABLE"
Democratic Declarations On the "Open
Door," "Rsturn to Jefferson sinplic.
ity" and the Limitation Of 4onopOlies
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 dirsctnsss," are "ad-
mira ble":
/. 1--WE favor the preservation, so
FAR AS WE CAN. Of an open door for
the worlds commerce in the Orient"
If Mr.. Parker were elected President.
what would his Secretary of State ever
be able to accomplish in furtherance Of
the open do.f, if the nations which
wanted a closed door were conversant
with the Democratic policy, which thus
in effect advertises to the world that
IF 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 yeu want, rather than
| it, don't you knowY
Great principles are never successfully
fought for by conceding at the start that
you are willing 70 back down IL you
have to.
2. The Democratic platform says:
I'VE 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 bs to Jeffersonian
simplicity of living"
The word RETURN" and a. 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 MS 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
vate monopoly is indefensible and intol
erable," and it adds that "any trust Of
unlawful combination engaged in inter
state commerce which is monopolzns
any branch of business or production
should not be permitted to transact bust
ness outside of the State of it's origin"
!, But how about monopoles that ar,
authorized by the government in it's con
t stitutional right to grant patents for orig
inal inventions?
The platform does not except these
: Had the trainers Of this plank so littl
! practical knowledge about monopoly tina
they did not know that the United State
, government itself seeks to encourage in
r vention by granting patents, or officia
:. privileges. to enjoy absolute monopoly?
! The Bell telephone is a monopoly, and
$ on account of its patents. is legally SO
. Ii the Democratic platform were pu
. into effect, no important invention, lik
r the telephone. unless the patent had ru
/ out, could be utilized by the American
+ people. except in the particular Stat
= where the company which manufacture
b it had it's origin.
a In this event the people ef the Stat
Of New Jersey, where corporation organ
ization seems easiest, might get q pras
teal monopoly Of the use Of every i'm
portant invention in the country.