Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1908-08-04

By JAMES A. EDGERTON.
TNHE chief questions on which
the Democratic platform takes
clearly defined and distinct is
sue with the Republican decla-
ration of principles may be briefly
stated thus:
The removal of the tariff from trust
products.
The physical valuation of railroads
as basis for rates.
The abolition of labor injunctions
and jury trial for indirect contempt of
court.
The rights ofsthe states as opposed
to the encroachment of the federal
government.
Publicity of campaign contributions.
Economy of government expenses
and curtailment of officeholders.
(. Emergency currency issued by the
and the insurance Of bank depositors.
The enforcement of the criminal
law against trust officials.
Curtailment of the power Of the
speaker of the house.
Opposition to the use by the presi-
dent of official patronage to nominate
his successor.
Independence of Philippine Islands.
Popular election Of senators.
An income tax.
Opposition to Asiatic immigration.
including the Japanese.
There are a few minor issues, but
these indicate the chief lines on which
the present battle of the ballots will
/ be fought.
On the surface the two platforms
are much alike, but, more closely ex-
amined, the differences. are apparent.
While they are not very deep nor fun
damental differences, they are suffi-
, GENTLY marked to make one of the
prettiest fights the country has yet
[ witnessed
In all candor both platforms are eff
| fective documents and as whole are
! the most radical ever adopted by
either party. The Republican instru-
ment perhaps excels in literary form
and the Democratic in boldness of ex-
! preston and in being more human
and vital utterance.
The Republicans sidestep several
| propositions and pass over others gin
gerly, like walking on eggs, while the
| Democrats "talk right out In meet
ing" on them ALL
| 1t is noteworthy that the three issues
submitted by the friends Of Senator
La Follette-viz, physical valuation Of
railroads. publicity Of campaign ex-
| penditures and popular election of SEN
ators-which were joyously turned
Chicago convention, are all included
In the Denver instrument.
1t is also worthy of notice that the
Republican injunction plank suited
neither side and called down the criti-
cism of both capital and labor, while
the Democratic pronouncement on the
same subject is even more vigorously
denounccj by the Wall street patriots,
but has the enthusiastic support of
Samuel Gompers and most Of his co.
workers in the ranks of organized Ia.
Dor.
New Campaign Element.
This is distinctly a new element In
a presidential campaign, the American
Federation of Labor never before hav.
ing declared openly for any candidate.
1t is unquestionably the most impor-
tant factor in the fight and has the
politicians of both parties guessing.
More in detail the declarations of the
two parties on the various questions
discussed are as follows:
On the tariff the Democracy favors
immediate revision, placing all trust
products on the free list, also print
paper pulp, lumber, timber and logs;
material reduction of duties on the
necessaries of life and on all articles
of American manufacture sold more
cheaply abroad than at home-a gen.
eral reduction all along the line prac-
tically to a revenue basis.
The Republicans declare for revi.
sion after the, next president Is In
augurated. No Indication is given OF
the line on which such revision will
be made except that 1t will follow the
present policy of protection
On the labor and injunction issue
the Democrats oppose emphatically
any discrimination against labor In in.
Functions, asking for rigid impartiality
and protest against the issuance Of in.
functions during strikes that would moi
issue were no industrial dispute In.
volved.
The most important pronouncement
under this head is in favor of trial by
jury in all cases of contempt not in the
presence of the court.
The Republican platform contents 1t
self with plank reiterating the pres
ent law and with general recital Of
It's labor legislation and a pledge fal
. more laws in the same line.
Both platforms declare in varying
: terms for an employers liability Law
and an eight hour day, and both hin
!. Mt child labor legislation. The Demo
Gratis favor a separate department o
labor, including a bureau of mines
. while the Republicans demand the blu
reau of mines alone.
II On the railroad question the De
, mocracy declares boldly for physica
= valuation which would squeeze waite
!. from stocks, demands that roads b
= prohibited from owning any business
that brings them into competition wit
shippers and favors increasing til
powers of the interstate commerce
commits ion not 0p1v ovop ,.oilrnod,