New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-05-27
THE OHIO PLATFORM.

! The Republicans of Ohio In framing a plat
| form for this years State campaign stood
| pat' on the Republican record In State and ma
| tional politics. The convention at Columbus
on Thursday was marked by a spirit of con-
fdence and harmony. The present Governor
and most Of the present State officers were re-
nominated. and in framing party programme
care was taken to avoid unnecessary friction
over minor points Of doctrine. The Committee
on Resolutions lodged no issues. 1t restated the
cardinal Republican principles, butI wisely left
a certain discretion In the application of those
principles to the agents TO whom the Republican
voters of the country have tntrusted either local
| or national power
AS was fitting In a State campaign, State is
sues are dealt with chiefly In the Columbus
platform. The record OF the Republican party
! In Ohio has been an admirable one. An eff
cient and economical administration has been
given and many legislative reforms have been
accomplished under a succession Of Republican
Governors-William Mckinley. Asa Bushnell,
George K Nash and Myron T. Herrick. In the
last fourteen years Ohio has become more and
more preponderanty Republican, and repeated
victories at the polls sustain the boast of the
platform that ain all matters Of material and
moral development the record of the Republ-
"can party proves that. while avoiding ex-
"tremes, 1t has ever kept abreast Of the best
thought and has provided needed legislation
'as rapidly as public sentiment was prepared
ito sustain and enforce it." With such record
and facing a discordant and demoralized oppo-
sition another triumph for the party next No
vember is absolutely assured.
On national topics two utterances Of the plat
form are significant The Ohio Republicans
subordinate the question of tariff changes
whether inspired by q desire to increase the
revenues or to remit superfuous protection-to
the question Of railroad rate regulation. The
Presidents efforts TO secure square deal for
ell" in interstate commerce are heartily ap-
plauded. The platform says:
President Roosevelt's comprehensive enforce
rnent Of the Republican laws against monopo-
lies, combines and trusts In restraint of trade,
laws whose validity the Supreme Court Of the
United States has sustained. has our hearty
encouragement and support We also indorse
every effort for the active enforcement OF exist
ing laws to stop all unjust determinations and
special favors in the form OF railway rebates
or by any other device, and we favor such, fur
Their legislation on the subject, with adequate
penalties, may after full investigation seem
to the Republican Congress and administration
wise and conservative, yet adequate to prevent
unfair advantage to any, and to promote and
insure the rights Of all individuals, interests and
localities.
Ohio sentiment approves the preparation and
passage of railroad rate legislation which will
protect the public and at the same time do in
justice to no legitimate interest, 1t does not
look with favor on any readjustment Of tariff
duties which may disturb prosperity merely for
the sake OF repairing some minor inequalities
in the Dingley schedules. "No step should be
TAKEN" the platform urges, that may impern
or threaten our good times" Yet to imperil
good times is furthest from the purpose Of those
who think the hour has come for remodelling
certain tariff schedules in the light of changed
conditions Of competition and production 1t
kt,,Aa IT, sf1%Cv ,11
pat" Yet that kind of "stand-paism" can be
easily harmonized with the rational and mod
crate revision which the Republican party
stands ready to make whenever It finds condi-
tons ripe. The Ohio platform Is not especially
Illuminating. Yet It is not enigmahc, and 1t
sensibIy recognizes that In dealing with the CUES
tons Of rate regulation and tariff revision no
single Republican State Convention can fatter
itself that It Is uttering the party's final word.