The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-02-21
WORD TO THE COMMITTEE.


BY request of nearly a score of
members of your committee. the
chairman has called a meeting in
Raleigh tonight. The object of the
meeting, as stated in the request. is
to secure IAN official Interpretation"
of the State platform with reference
to pending legislation" which every
body understands to be the Ward bill
which passed the Senate by a good
majority of Democratic votes Among
those who signed the request are
Democrats whose services to the party
have been conspicuous and unselfish.
They honestly believe that the prin-
ciple underneath the Watts law and
the Ward bill are not sound. For the
convictions of such gentlemen this
paper has profound respect and we
would not reflect upon their sincerity
or their devotion to the party.
This paper stands for the Ward bill
as it stood for the Watts law. It rec
ognizes that Democrats have the right
to oppose the Ward bill. But we
deny the right of the Executive Com
mittee as a body to seek to control
pending legislation by "oflicial in
depreciation" or otherwise. 1t has
power TO call conventions, fill vacan-
cies on the State ticket. and conduct
campaign. But it has no night to
make deliverances on pending legis-
lation" Indeed it would have no
right to fill a vacancy in any nomi-
nation for the Legislature if one should
occur during Il campaign. 1t would
have to be referred to the local COM
mittee Does not this show that the
State Committee has no jurisdiction
whatever over legislators?
But, if it had the right to come in
now-after the Senate has passed the
Ward bill and majority is assured
for it in the House-would it be wise
to exercise it by official Interpreters
ton" or otherwise? Nearly one hum
dred Democrats have been elected to
the legislature on the Democratic
platform. Each man interpreted 1t
to his constituents and is bound by
his Interpretation" Some legisla-
tors promised not to vote for any adj
ditional temperance legislation what
ever. Can the committee "mterprc-
tation" absolve them from that
pledge? Some promised to abolish
Shore and Williams and such towns.
Can the committee assume to say that
they shall violate their pledge? Would
it not be wrong to make any declar-
alton that would embarrass honest
legislators?
But, we are told. that the platform
suggestion of amendment was put in
to satisfy opponents of the Watts law.
Here, too, there is an honest difference
of opinion. This statement presup-
poses that there can be some private
understanding between, platform max
ers and party leaders that would not
be made known to the voters Such q
suggestion would properly cause the
people to lose confidence in their
leaders. The platform means what it
says and no leader can read out of
it or write into it anything except
what can be read by the humblest
voter 1t declares for adequate DO-
plice protection" and closes with these
words: "The General Assembly has
the power, and when controlled by
the Democratic party can be trusted
to make all amendments that expert
ence and conditions may demonstrate
to be wise and proper" Well. we
have a Democratic legislature. Who
will say. in the light of these declar-
ations. that this legislature cannot
"bc trusted?"
The question, however, rises higher
than these considerations. The DEM
ocratic Executive Committee has
earned the confidence and respect of
the party and of the people of the
State. They will largely forfeit this
by seeking to put the stamp of party
upon pending legislation" The PEG
pie are rightly jealous of encroach-
ments and usurpations of power. They
gerous innovation for party commit
tee TO meet and take action upon inn
portant pending legislation" and it
would do the Democratic party more
harm than any possible legislation eit-
acted in the usual way.
Tho News and Observer is always
and under all circumstances ready to
take orders" from the Democratic
party. The success of that party is
paramount to any piece of legislation.
however wise or salutary The defeat
of the Democratic party would destroy
the only agency through which the
people OF Nortn Carolina may look for
good government. Upon any matter
in the province of the committee to
speak. The News and Observer would
acquiescc in its wisdom and hscre-
ton, and do all in its power to effectu-
ate it's policies. But if it should es-
say to dictate to members of the
General Assembly by "otficial interp-
rotation or otherwise upon "pcnding
legislation we would urge the peo-