The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1908-07-07
The Radical Vote.

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The republican papers are QUICK
to assume that NJ r.Hearst will op-
pose the democratic ticket. They
ought to give Mr.. Hearst credit Tor,
having made fight for certain
well-defned reforms; they ought TO
give him credit for sincerity IN ad-
vocating those reforms: they ougnt
to know that his strength, like the
strength of others who are strong
with the masses, is due to the
strength of the reforms to which ne
has attached himself.
The convention of the indepen-
dence partyiwas called to meet after
the other conventions in order that
better survey of the situation
might be maie, and since the re-
nublican convention has adjourned
the independence gconyention. has
been postponed for month, which
piyes greater opportunity for de-
liberation. Mr.. Hearst could hard
" be expected to announce in ad
vance of the other conventions what
he thought ought to be done, but
twill be remembered that in l9o4
he was o candidate in the demo-
cratic convention after the adop-
tion of the platform written that
cal. He was willing to make the
fight for the reforms outlined IN
that ylatform. There is no danger
of the platform this year containing
less of reform than the platform OF
1904. There is every indication that
it will go even farther in demanding
remedial legislation. if the platform
Of 1904 was good enough for Mr..
Heaast to run upon, may not the
democratic platform Of 1908 be good
enough for Mr.. Hearst to support!
The candidates. too, may have some
influence in determining Mr..
Hearst's action, and the organiza-
tion of the national committee is a
factor to be considered; the general.
trend and spirit of the convention
also ought to. have weightin determ-
ining with what force the democrat
ic party will be able to appeal to the
men who are connected with the IN
dependence party.
The reformer is naturally anxious
to get all that he can in the way of
reforms, but:' he also knows that
progress is by degrees and that each
reform gives the reformer vantage
ground ,aponGwhich to stand while
he fights for other reform.
There are some in all parties who
vote the party ticket anyhrw no
matter what the platform IS; no
matter who thesgcandidat are; no
m alter whether the; party has any
chance or not: these vote the ticket.
There are others who use the party
as means to an end; they want to
accomplish results.E Plutocracy sup
Ports the party which leans most TO-
ward plut ocracy and the radical ele-
neat is likewiseiindependent. Each
supports the sparty that gives the
best assurance rof securing what
that element desires. The advocacy
of remedial measures is not the only
thing required of a reform party;
ability to secure remedial measures
is as important as the advocacy OF
them. and the radical who wants
something done is likely to ask him.
self two questions: First, what
parties promise reform? Second OF
tn. parties promising reform, which
party can offer the best assurances
OF fulfilling the promise? The rad
ical element Of the country can we'll
afford to wait until after the Den
YER convention has adjourned be-
fore i decides what to do.
"F'hc Real Bryan"
The canton Of this article is the