Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-08-09

William Randolph Hearst. Democrat
and publisher of many papers and
magazines. devotes solid pages of his
newspapers to the Democratic plat
fern and the manner in which vari-
Gus Democrats are trying to stand up
on ii. Here are just few para
graphs of Mr.. Hearst's sentiments.
Mr.. Wilson is being advised to re-
iect part of the Democratic platform.
He might welh be advised to reject
practically all of it. The Democratic
House has ignored or repudiated the
most commendable planks of the plat
form, and there is no reason why Will
son should be burdened in the coming
campaign by the ramshackle remain
ing pianlls The Democratic platform
declared that ''our pledges are made
to he kept" The Democratic House,
the one branch of the national govern
ment which the Democrats control.
has already proven that the best pro-
vision in the platform was made only
to he broken.
With the navy plank and one or two
other Democratic and desirable planks
eliminated the platform is left nndem-
ocratic, unprogressiye and unsound. 1t
is absurdly extreme in one point and
scandaiously inadequate in nearly ev-
cry other point. 1t is absolutely with
out constructive policy or eomprehen-
sive understanding of the urgent needs
of the people and the irresistible ten
denotes of the times
The platform. though made by Bry-
m. was made for Wilson. The usual
procedure at conventions was reversed
and the platform was made after the
nomination of the candidate. 1t was
Mr. organs idea, and characteristic
enc, that the principles of the Dem
orratic party should be modified to
suit tie candidate rather than the can
didate selected to fit the principles Of
the Democratic party. Yet this plat
form cannot suit the candidate, for
there is hardly word in it that con-
forms to DR.. Wilson s recent utterances
since he ceased to be a reactionary
and became militant progressive.
The country demanded a progressive
candidate and progressive program.
The Democracy has given the coun-
- =
gressive principles, yet there are but
few planks in the platform which echo
his progressive sentiments or express
the progressive spirit of this progress
sixe age The country expected, and
had right to expeet, from conscien-
tious and courageous Democrat con-
structive platform: vet there is hard
ly q paragraph in the platform which
is constructive.
There is hardly a paragraph which
offers satisfactory solution Of the
conditions il criticises. or proposes a
practicable remedy for the evils of
which the citizens so justly complain.
The above is scarcely one-ffteenth
Of Mr.. Hearst's dissection of the DEM
ocratic platform. and laying out of
pr Wilson's duty. 1t seems to indi-
cate that progressive" Democrats are
not for free trade or tariff for-revenue-
only, but for safe and sane handling
of a problem that so vitality and in
stantly affects all classes of business
and industry.
Mr.. Hearst's suggestion that 1.-THE
best provision in the platform was
made only TO be broken" will strike
Maine readers forcibly. for the State
platform OF Maine Democracy in 1910
had many provisions made only to be
broken"
Both President Taft and Colonel
Roosevelt have shown the disposition
to do something well tomorrow rather
than do so much today that ought
not to he done at all.