Evening journal., 1910-10-11
TUESDAY, OCT. II. 1910
KINDS OF DEMOCRATS.


IN EMOCRATIC platforms in various states diff
IL fer widely The Massachusetts Democratic
platform is along progressive lines, although the
convention became involved in an ugly quarrel
over the nomination of candidate for governor.
The Massachusetts Democrats approved the IN
come tax amendment TO the constitution prsct-
cav without opposition. When the same amend
ment was brought before the Democratic state
Committee at Dover on the eve OF the convention
only one member of the committee supported the
income tax. The-legal bubble of lawyers who ar
qued against the amendment prevailed with the
committeeman.
The Massachusetts Democrats declared for the
initiative and referendum, something which got
good word from so conservative man Sena-
torRoot at the recent Republican State convention
in New York. Many Democrats in Delaware and
some Republicans too for that matter, favor the
principle Of the initiative and referendum, but
neither party at the Dover conventions .cok notice
of it.
The Democratic platform os Massachusetts de-
eor-dtr0et primaries to nominate candidates
for Office. Neither party mentioned this subject at
Dover although the Republican conventions in
both Kent and Sussex have declared for direct pri-
marieS, and we have them after a fashion in New
Castle county where the Republicans nominate all
their candidates by direct primaries, but the Demo
Gratis still make few of their county nominations
by the convention system.
The Democrats of the Bay State also came out
strongly for more authority for the Public Ser
vice Commission This is another matter
touched by the Delaware Democrats although the
question of regulating the public service utilities
is sure TO be a live one before the people of this
State even if it is ignored by the politicians. The
high jump in the price of electricity for lighting
purposes in this city certainly should be a warn-
ing to the people of Wilmington of what is going
TO happen
These references TO the plsnks in the platform
Of the Massachusetts Democrats show as
:. have said, the wide difference between the Demo-
~ Gratis Of the two states. Some years ago there
was certainly a sentiment among a large element
of local Democrats in favor Of such things as the
Massachusetts Democrats stand for. Whether that
sentiment, which has no way of expressing itself
the chief Democratic organ of this State is
Bourbon of the Bourbons, still exists among the
local Democrats may be question but it is hardly
likely that It has died out. Ii does seem prob
able that the Democratic League which is now so
flourishing and which has stood for progressive
Democratic ideas is satisfied with the platform Of
the Democratic convention at Dover. The con-
vention served notice upon all Democrats of a rad
ical turn of mind that the present campaign is of
the gum shoe variety so far as the statement of
issues is concerned and that with the Democrats
IN power not even mild progressive legislation is to
be expected Not the parcels post system
was approved by the Democratic convention the
Democrats evidently being content to permit the
express hold-up of the people TO continue. Not
even city charter for Wilmington was fav
ored by the Democrats although the sentiment oil
the people here as expressed by the newspaper.
regardless of party afhliaton has been for a new
charter.
About the only bit of progressive legislation
favored by the Democratic State convention was
an Employers liability law and that was put into
the platform after struggle in the committee
And il is entirely likely that should this matter
come before the Legislature, the hold-up brigade
OF the State Senate wlsee that il goes no farther
than the committee room OF that body
With such platform il is therefore not sur
prising that the mass of the Democrats Of a pro
gressive turn OF mind have shown no enthusiasm
for the ticket or the campaign With lively auC
progressive platform similar to that adopted b,
Democrats in many other states, a large elemen
Of the Democrats which is now quiet might hav.
pitched headlong into the fight and stirred III
enthusiasm, but these Democrats have evidentl,
diagnosed the political situation so far as thel
party is concerned scramble among Democrat:
Of greater or lesser note TO see VINO is in the best
position 20 be senator should the party control
the Legislature Those persons therefore who be-
lieve in progress will decide that there is more
chance of getting advanced legislation from the
Republicans than from the Democrats.
There is certainly valid reason why
progressive Democrat should support the Demo-
s. ~sus state or legislative ticket.