The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1910-04-21

|
and asked for suggestions as to the
state platform? II the dominant
party in Vermont is to have a plat
form that means what it says 1t must
be given the widest sort Of publicity
and then endorsed by all who seek
election on the Republican ticket. -
Bennington Banner.
1t is time we were seriously dis
cussing the platform, but the Messen.
ger cannot understand the implied
suggestion that the Republican state
committee is responsible for getting
it framed
This paper has followed with much
interest the running newspaper COM
ment of dissatisfaction with the pro-
cess of platform making as recently
employed by the Republican party in
Vermont and the somewhat radical
propositions for change that have
been suggested. 1t probably will not
have to emphasize to its readers to-
day its own great desire that the
party platform shall be carefully
drawn and its pledges religiously
kept, but it cannot see the reason
why there should be any very radical
departure from the present method
of framing the resolutions which is
practically the method followed by
every national political convention
and not seriously criticized elsewhere
in the country.
Some time before that date set for
the state convention the Republican
state committee designates a man to
be chairman OF the committee on res
: olutions, with the understanding that
he is to make the first draft OF the
platform. Every man experienced IN
such matters or a careful observer
of them knows that, whatever method
is to be followed, It will be necessary
that an original draft shall be prepar-
ed by some one man to be selected in
advance. The idea that a carefully
worded declaration of political prin-
ciples can be forged out Of the white
heat of the convention itself on the
inspiration OF the moment is too i'm
practical TO be seriously considered
The state committee today publicly
announces this chairman OF the COM
mittee on resolutions long enough In
advance OF the convention so that
suggestions for planks in the plat
form can and frequently do come to
him from every quarter. But how
many suggestions he gets depends
entirely upon the degree OF popular
interest in the subject and no
amount of changing OF the method
can affect that. The chairman sub
mits his draft to his associates on
the committee when they are assem-
bled at the place appointed for the
convention, usually the night before.
When the committee Is made up as
it should be and proper interest Is
taken by all the members these pre-
llmnary sessions OF the committee
J on resolutions are serious dellbera-
lions Of the platform propositions
item by item. rlvaling In palnstakIng
attention to detail and work OF actu-
al public benefit accomplished the
more pretentious session OF the con
ventIon itself When tb1 committee
goes into the convention next day
, with a platform so prepared Il Is a
!. fairly safe venture that Il will require
A., little modification by the delegates,
4 unless. OF course, some great public
4. issue is pending that the committee
q ioolishly thought TO evade
i. II II is out OF the question 10 ex.
poct that committee can be hastily
selected and assembled In the course
OF the convention session. which, az
4 ter necessarily short season for re-
tirement can return 20 the hall with
. platform made on the impulse OF
, the hour that will be an adequate and
- reliable expression OF party senu
. ment. The Messenger believes Il is
4 equally out OF the question to provide
for the making OF platform long In
u. advance OF the convention by some
4 body having no official connection
= with the body OF delegates. at all
7, The platform should come up out Of
/, the heart OF the convention itself, e
: be living expression Of party faith
and to be respected as such. AND
this can be done II the present meth
cd Is followed with such care ms som,
y, committees have exercised, bccaus,
!. the committees draft is read In con
vontion and subject to modification
by the delegates upon majority
!. vote. No Republican could ask for q
more palnstaking and statosmanllk,
= council Of It's kind than that which
formulated the state platform OF 1906