New-York tribune., 1909-09-10
THE SARATOGA PROGRAMME.


Among the Democrats who have gathered at
Saratoga Springs with the purpose Of regen-
Grating the Democratic party there are evi-
dently two classes of healcrs aud harmonizcrs
There arc those who believe that generalities
break no bones and that tactful avoidance Of
the,1auses Of old quarrcls helps wonderfully 10
promote peace in dscordant family. There
are those who hold, on the other hand that If
real union is to he restored II must rest on an
agreement not merely 70 Danish controversial
issues. hut Ia pursu" definite and concrete
party policy If we are to judge from the
speeches delivered yesterday NJ the opening OF
the conference. ex-.Tudgc Parker and Commits
sioner Thomas NJ. Osborne are harmonizers OF
the first sort whe Edward NJ Shepard is
harmonizer Of tho second Mr.. Parker and Mr..
Osborne contributed practically nothing toward
defining the attitude In respect 10 current public
questions which the Democratic party must as
sumo in order 70 regain solidarity and in1u-
ence. They were automatically vague and
transcendental. Mr. Shepard. however. de-
scended TO the plane Of reality and practically.
He had the courage TO outline a programme of
party regeneration dealing with the pertinent
issues Of current politics
Mr.. Shepard's progra mme IS interesting It
comprises issues on which Democrats differ
and its value rs uuifying influence remains TO
be tested Probably II will he stoutly opposed
by the regenerates who believe that family
troubles can-be hest cured hy iudicously iE
noring them. If Mr.. Shepard's ideas are
adopted. the regencrated Democracy will first
Of all favor the ratification OF the income tax
amendment 10 the federal Constitution In TAX
ing such a position the Sara toga conference will
completely dispose OF tho charge that IT'S chief
purpose to commit tho Democratic party
here 10 opposition 10 an income tax. Tho Pro
grcssive Democrats who met in Albany last
week had that idea. and they invited William
T. Bryan to appear at their gathering and ON
phaslze the pledge OF tho last Democratic Ma
tional Convention 10 support an amendment
giving Congress power 10 lay an income tax
without the restriction Of apportoumcnt among
tho states according 10 population. There are
OF course. Democrats who realize that New
York will have 10 pay ont of her reserve re-
sources for taxation purposes 2 very dispropor-
honate share OF the proposed federal tax New
York has less than nc-tenth Of the population
OF the Union, hut will have 10 contribute from
onefourth 10 third Of tho collections under
a federal income tax law. Self-ntArcst would
counsel the rejection by New York of the
amendment. Mr. Shcpard's programme how
ever makes the declaration Of Mr. Bryan's
last platform paramount 70 all considerations OF
local sef-nterest
On the issue Of direct nomna tions Mr. Shepard
stands practically with Governor Hughes He
realizes that party government in this state ia
seldom representative Of tho clearly ascertaned
wishes of the voters. In the Democratic party
especially the principle Of government from the
top has been asserted in the most high h-handed
manner The Democratic organizations in this
city are essentially one-man organizations, and
the autOcratic methods OF self-perpetuatng
leaders have made farces Of Democratic state
and city conventions. There can be no real
regeneration of the Democratic party until some
elemental democracy is infused into its meth
DDS OF government. Mr. Shepard suggests
practical remedy for autOcratic misrule We
trust that his associates at Saratoga will see
their way clear 10 insisting that as first step
toward Democratic reorganization the vicious
and undemocratic Tammany system must be
overthrown.
On third issue Mr.. Shepard goes back TO the
Democratic state platform Of 1908 He echoes
its protest against government, by commits
slon.' and though suavcly commending the
work Of the Public Service commissions init
mates that they are exercising dangerous
powers Like the trainers OF last years plat
FORM he has some trouble in finding substi-
tutn for the commission form of regulation. Yet
he makes il clear that If his policies are ac-
ccpted the regenerated Democracy viii try To
undo in part at least. what has been consid-
cred ono OF the great constructive achievements
of Governor Hughes's administration. The
Saratoga conference may not honor Mr. Shep-
ard as its true prophet. Yet il is instructive to
learn from of the abest and most outspoken
leaders of the regeneration movement Just what
that movement really means.