The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-07-10

DaQ SuCu = ST. u65it eLS lt4eAt NALAS4i
brought forth the Denver declaration
Of party policy.
It was a unique struggle, as COM
pared with those OF other years, IN
that there was at no tine any bitter
ness, and very little even Of the suG-
gestion Of that old-time factional feel
ing. which in the last three campaigns
las kept Democracy rent in twain
The travail Of tho resolutions COM
mittee this year was Of a new kind.
1t was the earnest sincere effort OF a
body Of men. not widely apart as 10
essentials, to reach the most salts
factory agreement as TO details. There
was no contest raging about any single
fundamental issue no irTepressible con
fiict no impossible chasm, as the sill
yer issue forced into both national con
ventions in 1896.
II was rather an enterprise in bridg-
ing the chasm. in patching up ancient
differences, in getting TO a common
ground Of undertaking. The commit
tee began with determined purpose
that it would make a unanimous re-
port. The more the difficulties develop
cd, the more radical leaders and con-
sentative alike were determined TO get
together and solidly support whatever
should come out. 1t was tremendous
task in Intellectual mosaic construction
Many members of the committee had
conferred with Mr.. Bryan. and knew
Just about the irreducible minimum OF
progressIveness that he would accept
without injecting his personal views in
some such fashion as Judge Parker
did. with the famous gold standard
telegram OF 1904
Pleasing to All.
There were the conservatives Of the
East. the radicals Of the West. and tho
big labor vote all 10 DO satisfied, as
well as Mr.. Bryan. 1t must be a plat
form of accommodations and adjust
Inents. vet 1t must not be q mere series
Of compromises. not apparently. at
least for Democracy is TO stand on the
claim that it alone has a definite pro-
gram, while IL is the Republican party
which has lodged and compromised.
In all the hours of its work, and the
task kept the committee in session most
Of the timo for fifty hours. it grew liz
creasing!y evident that the guiding staI
by which TO steer the course must be
the policies of Theodore Roosevelt HIS
program. especially those parts Of il
which had failed TO secure the sanction
OF the Chicago convention, must be
made the foundation and the corner
stone OF the Democratic structure.
Then" it was urged a hundred times
in the discussion. IF they tell Us we
are too radical we will read from Roose-
velt's messages; II they call us social
lists we viii defend ourselves out Of the
speeches Of the man who is the great
est asset Of the Republican party
haustiny effort passed, the members of
the committee more and more realized
that the chart Of their safe course must
be that laid out by Roosevelt. for the
Republicans legislative craft 10 sail
The safe measure Of radicalism must be
the measure set by the Republican Pres
ident.
Defiant of Foes.
Unconsciously at first this view came
AT last 10 be frankly accepted by the
men who were making the platform
In the end there was candid realization
of the striking fact that the magnetism
which had drawn the two factions OF
Democracy together, and the cemen;
which held them together, were the
magnetism and the cement provided by
the Republican Presidents leadership OF
hd~lOlldl AlADuEllA Anu II was on TINS
basis that the committee was at last
able 70 complete the great task to the
satisfaction of all its members.
The platform, as finally adopted by
the convention. is Identical with the
advance draft of the platform published
in the Washington Times yesterday
with these additions, including a re-
vised anti-injUnction plank
Campaign Publicity.
A forced succession in the Presidency
is scarcely less repugnant to public
sentiment than is life tenure in that
office. No good intention on the part
Of the Executive. and no virtue in the
one selected can justify the establish
ment Of a dynasty. The right of the
people to freely select their officials is
inalienable and cannot be delegated.
We demand Federal legislation for
ever terminating the partnership which
has existed between corporations OF
the country and the Republican party
under the expressed or implied agree
ment that in return for the contribu-
ton Of great sums Of money where
with to purchase elections they should
ne allowed to continue substantially IN
Inolested in their efforts TO encroaC
uPon the rights Of the people.
Harriman's Sz5o,ooo.
any reasonable DOUBT as 70 the eN-
istenCe of this relation has been for
ever dispclled by the sworn testimony
Of witnesses examined IN the insur-
"nce investigation in New York. and
the open admission. unchalIenged by
the Republican national committee. OF
q single individual that he himself a;
the personal request Of the Pepubli-
can candidate for the Presidency. raised
over a quarter Of a million Of dollars
to be used I'm a single State during the
closing hours of the last campaign
In order that this practice shall be
stopped for all time we demand the
passage Of a statute Furnishing with
Imprisonment any officer OF corpora
ton who shall either contribute on be-
half OF, or consent TO the contribution
by corporation. Of any money or thing
of value to be used in furthering the
election or a President and Vice Presf
dent OF the United States or of any
member OF the Congress thereof
Cash Register" Refused
We denounce the action Of the Re
publican party having complete con
troll OF the Federal Government. fol
It's failure to pass the bill. INTRODUCED
IN the last Congress. to compel tn,
publication OF the names of contributor