The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1910-07-14
THE STATE PLATFORM.

The SVAIE PLATFORM
The republicans of South Dakota
are under obligations to the delegates
Who made up the state convention
held at Sioux Falls for the best plat.
form ever adopted by the party in
South Dakota. It is not SO much in
itself that the platform excels, but
b connection with the circumstances
surrounding Its adoption.
When Roosevelt sat In the White
House, It was easy to adopt plat
forms ringing with the progressive
spirit. When Roosevelt was about
e retire. 1t was easy to commend
Taft because he had been recon-
mended by Roosevelt. But now 1t is
different. Taft has in some respects
BEEN = worthy successor Of Roose-
welt; but In others he has disappoint-
Cd. The temptation always before
= convention is to be regular; to
praise the work OF party leaders
whether they are entitled to 1t or
not. The Sioux Falls convention was
further embarrassed by the commits
MON given the South Daota congress
s3onal delegation by Taft to secure a
sycophantic Endorsement Of all he
lad done and OF the tariff law.
But the convention remembered
It, rights. It pandered to no man
or mon. It asserted its independence,
III individuality. It made OF the
south Dakota republican party some
thing more than an echo Of the ma
tional administration.
Tat was praised, but only insofar
. no had followed in the footsteps
of his predecessor. The burden of
Dfoof was left where 1t belongs, with
Taft. IN particular the railway rate
I'LL, secured by Taft, was commend
"a. But his course in the Ballinger
ease was criticised in a demand that
the policy OF conservation be plac-
ed In the hands OF its friends. The
insurgents" of the House were in
effect lauded when the changes in
the rules Of the House were applaud
ed. This amounts to a criticism of
the states congressman, particular
II Burke. who at no time stood with
those who wanted changes in the
rules Of the House to break the
autocracy Of Cannon.
The Payne tariff was conceded to
- nothing more .than an effort in
the right direction. 1t is said that it
should have provided for free 2lum-
her. coal and iron. The taritf plank
Of the state platform cannot be said
to be- particularly f~lattering to Taft
. to the Senator's and Representa-
tiyes from South Dakota.
The convention might have found
: way Of giving the congressional
delegation from this state a quail
Ned Endorsement. But it had been put
8 : bad humor toward the delega-
ton BY the assumption of responsible
~ for the platform by the Senator's
md Representatives. Perhaps If they
show mor Of q disposition hereafter
% defer to the convention. they may
have q better chance Of being indors-
"a.
We do not believe that the con-
vention has injured the party Of the
state by its refusal to dispense In
dorsements with the usual lavish
hand. On the other hand, we believe
y has commended the party to the
people. II has set forth the doctrine
that the party is greater than its
servants. that It has other purposes
Aanthat Of keeping public officials in
Office. These are the reasons why we
bslievesthe republican party Of South
Dakota. In convention at Sioux Falls
Tussday, rose to political heights
Ever before attained in the state.
soUTH DAKOTA LEADS AGAIN.
Repeated showers and rains over