The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1908-03-06

lQueDenQeQce league really "'hl0
ing to see whether the reactionarics
would control either or both Of the old
parties and that its position would be
taken in accordance with the facts thus
discovered.
In a long letter printed in his. New
York American of Jan. II Mr.. Hearst
set forth the platform which he would
urge upon the Independence league.
Even a synopsis of this platform
would be impossible in letter of this
length, yet it may be said with the Ut
most confidence that there are only
two suggestions made by him, two rec
concentrations for which he stands
that might not win place in a Demo-
cratic platform. He declares for ship
subsidy. one of the issues on which
Democrats are a unit in opposition 10
the Republican policy. And he ap-
proves, though, it is true. with certain
hesitation and some apology. Of the IS
suance of money altogether through
the national banks and not by the gov
ernment direct There may be omis'
sions from his platform Of Democratic
ideas, but these propositions seem 70
me the only ones that would not IND
favor in Democratic committee on
resolutions. This being the case, if the
purpose Of the leader Of the 1ndepend-
ence league is to press princlples
rather than men 1t seems probable
that he will find his vital principles III
the platform to be adopted at Denver
next July.
Politics Afloat and Ashore.
Some little idea Of what a subsidized
merchant marine might mean may be
derived from the storm now raging III
the capitol, the navy department and
in the press over certain charges made
by Congressman Lilley of Connecticut
concerning undue influence exerted by
shipbuilders and particularly by build
ers Of submarine boats over members
Of congress. navy officers and repre-
sentatives Of the press.
Everybody in Washington-that is
everybody who mixes in congressional
or department circles--knows that the
hungriest seekers for congressional ia
vors are the men who are here preach
ing the greatness Of the United States
as a nation and urging that they be
permitted to build the torpedo boats or
the submarines that shall defend its
high standing. When battleship costs
S1OOO0.O00 and the administration asks
that four should be built, it makes very
pretty picliings for the men who are
hunting the contract, particularly as
outside of the government yards, which
it has been the policy Of this admins
tration to discredit. there are only
three shpyards capable Of building
vessels Of this class. The industry of
building submarines is still in its in
fancy. Navy people call them the fly
ing fish Of the sea-now on the surface,
now plunging below. The people who
represent the builders Of submarines
have another quality in common with
flying fish. They travel in schools. They
are buttonholing members Of the naval
committee at every point. Indeed, one
member of that committee said to me
that the tunnel, not yet quite COM
plctcd. which enabled Il representative
to go from his Office in the new build
ing TO the house without seeing any
body who was awaiting him at any
doorway was to him better source of
safety than the disappearance Of the
submarine boat beneath the water was
to its crew.
Be that us it may, tn scandal In
which the names Of some ysry distin-
guished Republicans are mentioned is
likely to be aired very shortly. But
the whole inside truth, the real story
of the extravaganza and possibly worse
in the navy department will never be
known unless the American people
select an administration which shall
have no interest in covering up what
has been done in that department for
twelve and more years past.
Democratic Conventions.
The Democratic state conventions SO
far held have shown gratifying una
nimity Of purpose relating to national
affairs. Wisconsin has instructed its
delegates for Mr.. Bryan; so, too, has
Kansas; also Oklahoma. The really
notable fact about the conventions IN
these states was not so much the in
I,n fnnt that nnt In niOlt
years has the attendance upon the con-
ventens been SO large and so en-
thusiastic. In every state which has
thus met in convention the tone Of the
Democracy seemed to be tia; of en-
thusiasm and confidence. If certain
New York newspapers preach about dt
visions in the party. they might cor
rect their views If they would take the
pains to send correspondent to al
most any Democratic state convention
held in states where the people still re-
tain their right to meet and elect dele
gates without the interv ventlon OF poll
ticians. either Of the vulgar Or OF the
Wall street sort. What the New York
convention may do any one who knows
New York politics can guess. Ile
state is likely to be represented at Den
yer in such a way that 1t will be with
out influence and subject to the sus'
picion Of being open to barter and sale
IF New Workers like this sort Of Demo
cratic representation, they may be sure
that this is the kind of Democratic rep