Gainesville daily sun. (Gainesville, Fla.) 190?-1938, 1906-07-12
EXCEEDING ITS AUTHORITY.


coming Presidential campaign.
The sun IL in hearty accord with the
declaration so far "a the principles
expressed are concerned, but We
question the right OF the State Demo.
cratic Executive Committee 10 pro-
mulRate a platform or 10 in anywise
comm, the Democracy Of Florida 10
any issue or 10 any policy. Thia ones
ton came before the committee, as W.
understand il, in a roundabout way,
, and ~ an endorsement Of telegram
b which The chairman had sent TO The
indianapolis star, II appears that
, after The state Democratic Committee
OF Indian had endorsed Bryan and de-
clarcd that the tariff should constitute
thu msin issue in the next Presiden-
tial campaign, the Indianapolis paper
wired the chairmen OF the various
State executive committees, stating
the action on the part OF the Indiana
committee and asking II the States
would Join. Without waiting for an
expression from the other members OF
the committee, Chairman Fletcher
stated that Florida would join Indi-
ana, bu, be- was careful TO add that his
reply was HE personal opinion and not
70 be considered rs the sentiment Of
the committee. At the last meeting
OF the committee Chairman Fletcher
referred 10 the telegram and asked il /
the committee desired TO take any
action This Was followed by the com.
mittee declaring in favor OF Bryan,
and tarid IA the main issue
The Sun does not question the right I
~ the members OF the Florida State .
Democratic Executive Committee 20
eTpre.. themselves ard 20 resolute on
anything they desire, but we DO Ques-
ton their right 20 do 40 when assem-
hled and conducting the affairs Of the
Democratic party OF Florida, IL is a
dangerous precedent to establish, and
We predict that before many years
those who thoughtlessly entered into
this action will have sufficient cause 10
regret II, II the State committee can
declare in favor ~ the national issue,
II has she sane power TO commit the
party in question OF State policy. n
IL can with authority, whether real or
assumed, declare for Bryan for Presi.
dent, why could II not declare in favor
OF some candidate for United states
Senator? OF course this idea may be
far.fetched, and The san does not be-
lieve than the committee would ever
entertain such a thought, but we are
citing this TO show what mag 10 low
when once the bars have been let
down.
IL may be that the committee, in.
Hated with It's assumption OF power,
may attempt tn put the Democratic
party OF Florida on record At some
future t,me.As iavoring some matter /
OF State policy such as the drainage Of 1
the Eyerg lades, the building Of roads.
the leasing Of convicts, aud any other 4
question which may arise in connection I
with the administration ot the State's (
adalrs. An expression Of any one Of I
the issues named would not be- taxing ,
the authority Of the committee tn a {
greater extent than II was taxed when I
the Bryan resolution went through a
The Democratic Executive Commit ,
tee did all this after II had voted down ,
the proposition TO have State conven- /
ton 60 formulate q platform and TO III
name delegates 20 the national con. c
vention The sun does not care
whether there ~ n convention held or :
not, Were convention 20 endanHer 1
The primary sys,em. We would oppose y
e and oppose 10 With v,gor Bui the a
people Of Florida are too welded to a
The primary system 20 even cuusider a 4
return 10 the convention plan, and
there are few who would dare to aug. v
gee, the old method OF making nomina. o
lions. Hot II there are to be express. Q
',on' on matter. ~ public policy or IN 4
'avor ~ any candidate the convention "
% the submitting u these propositions y
10 the Democratic party At n primary O
are thu oniy methods 90 be purued II
Those who iought the resolution ~ v
Mr.. Hooker fora convention before ii
hat committee declared that the prop. o
- plan VAS 10 submit matters uf The !.
Ilnd e. the people At the poll. Their :
sords had hardly fallen from tier
ips before they voted 10 take nj, pow. :
y out " the haui' OF the people aud
,,F,yat.d 10 thsnns.lv.. 49,. .v,h,..,.