Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-09-11
Candidates and Platforms.

In explaining why he will attend the
Buffalo convention Mr.. Jerome says:
II want to be certain that it's platform
makes nothing in the way of promises or
pledges that could not indorse heartily
and honestly advocate all through the cam
paign and carry out to the letter should 1
be elected.
II believe that every candidate should
90 everything In his power to carry out
the principles of the platform. 1t is for
this reason that / intend to goato Buffalo
and be on hand at the time of the conven-
tlon, for should the convention desire to
name me 1t is Enthusiastically my privilege
ana right to make sure that in the plat
form there are no declarations of prin-
ciples TO which cannot subscribe and con-
form.
Then after the platform has been
adopted there can be no misunderstanding
II cannot be said of me, If l am named as
the candidate, that / have been dsloyaI
and violated any pledges. While the nam
ing or the candidate is the most important
thing, TO my mind the Platform is second
10 IL, and surely a man who is to be a.
candidate should have some knowledge of
what that platform is going to be before
ne permits his name to go before the con-
Nention.'
These are very sensible observations. and
fully justify Mr.. Jerome's decision. II
every candidate for an important office
took this view of his responsibilities and
such steps to preserve his self-respect orr
politics would show a decided improve
ment.
And, by the way Will Mr.. Rrvan at-
tend the next democratic national conven-
ton? He shares with Mr.. Jerome tbesa
opinions about platforms and candidates
lie did not attend the Kansas CITY conyen-
lion In 1900 because his denomination was
certainty. He could afford to stav ar
nome and communicate with his friends on
lhe scene by wire. But he did not neplect
the Platform. He dictated that in its prin.
cipai plank from Lincoln, and In doing so
"luehed the breach between himself and
the eastern democrats They wanted silver
suppressed, while he insisted that he could
not AFFORD TO accept a nomination on anv
such terms
Inc next platform is going to test the
powers of the party's managers M
Bryan will want to shape II if he ia 70
stand on 1t, and this in the circumstances
he could not hope to do from a distance
very strong men are opposed to him and
al OF them-many as delegates-wilI be on
the scene. full of fight and oratory and all
That. Mr.. Bryan has not a single lIeuten-
ant who could substitute for him In z,cb a
plnch' and this woui. seem to make II adj
Fisa5ie for him to appear and manage his
own case In person.
Moreover the occasion will be tempting
to man who loves the spectacular and the
exciting as much as he does. The Chicago
convention of 1896 was a rouser, and that
at St. Louis two years ago no SLOUGH for
snake-waking features Mr. Bryan was in
the thick Of both trays. and enjoyed him
SELF hugely. The next convention promises
to surpass both of those In everything that
goes to develop the scrapper in a man. 1t
Is not unlikely. indeed. so great Is the feel
ang already awakened by the Bryanites and
'he Hearstites over their socialistic propa-
gandas. to be the last presidential conven-
tion held under the influences that for so
long time have been known under tba
name OF democratic. The name may sur
we out many Of those who have trained
uhuef ~ WIN Train under It no more forever