Omaha daily bee., 1910-04-01


The platform problem is not incidental
90 primaries or TO conventions. but 70 the
effort to fit the infinite variety OF voter
into one Of two noulds. The problem will
exist. platforms will be repudiated or car
ried out In bad faith, just 80 long az they
are forced % carry a load not adapted 70
the functions Of parties and platforms
whether under direct primary or conven-
ton system The Bee knows that though
every party platform In the state espoussd
county option the Douglas county legisla-
tors would oppose It. The obvious way to
solve the platform problem iH to free par
ties from the necessity Of dealing with
special non-party issues. such an issue as
Is now shattering party lines here. The
Bee would do the state good service by
bending itself TO the obvious solution Of
the problem.-Lincoln Journal.
In this the Journal seems disposed
for once to look at the problem of the
platform more from a practical stand
point rather than the standpoint OF
pure theory. The platform is supposed
to outline the position Of the party on
the political issues OF the day, and
where the party is substantially agreed
as to policy no serious difficulty pre-
sents. But where there are issues
raised that are essentially nonpolitical,
or on which the people do not divide
on party lines, writing the demands Of
one side or the other into the platform
operates to disrupt rather than TO
unite.
There is also further question con-
stantly propounded as to how far the
party platform concludes the candi-
dates running for office under the
party name. Does a national platform,
for example, obligate a state officer,
OF a state legislature, to q peculiar line
of action. or should the national plat
form confine itself TO subjects of ma
tional policy2 In the same manner,
the question may be asked, "Can the
state platform prescribe the attitude Of
a member of the legislature with ref
erence to matters of local moment?
What the Journal says about the next
Douglas county delegation is doubtless
true, that irrespective of it's political
complexion it will be opposed to county
option. But its position will reflect
the sentiment Of the people Of this leg
islative district whom this delegation is
expected to represent
We agree with the Journal, there
fore, that "the obvious way to solve
the platform problem is to free parties
from dealing with special nonparty
issues, and that the question of licens-
ing or prohibition OF the sale of liquor
is, in fact, local Issue that should be
fought out locally and should have no
place in a state platform except of the
prohibition party. -.~...
Last year when three judges of the
supreme court and three university re-
gents were to be elected, both demo-
Gratis and republicans passed the liquor
question by, believing that it did not
belong in that campaign, and the re-
publicans won out on a straight party
lineup in spite of the pretense of non
.partisanship with which the democrats
tried to fool republican voters. On a
straight party issue the republicans
will win again in Nebraska this year,
but If they get tied up with prohibi-
ton, or other nonparty issues, they
will have a harder fight ahead and
have to depend more on the usual
bIunders of the democrats.