The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1912-05-17
AN uNWISE PROPOSITION.

A
cent Republican state convention at
Harrisburg provides that list OF
questions shall be sent out to each
candidate for the legislature in the
state. These questions ask for his
approval or disapproval in writing OF
the several planks in the platform
adopted by the convention; his an
sWers to be published in the local
newspapers of his county or district
If this resolution is carried into ef-
feet as adopted it will provide the
most effective scheme that could be
devised for the defeat of Republican
candidates.
There are certain planks in the
platform on which all Republicans
can stand. But there are certain
other blanks concerning which there
is a wide and irreconcilable differ
ence of opinion. Such, for instance,
is the plank providing for the recall
of iudicial decisions. If candidate
for the legislature were to publicly
express his approval of that plank
he would ALLEVIATE from himself the
support of a great number OF sincere
Republicans who cannot believe that
grave questions of constitutional
law should be decided by popular
vote as opposed to the decisions OF
! the courts. IT, on the other hand,
he should record his disapproval OF
the plank, he would expect to be
opposed by that element in the par
| ty under whose auspices the plat
| form was framed and adopted, and
| from whose organization the ques-
tions were sent. Indeed, it is the
obvious purpose of that organization
| in propounding the questions and
demanding the answers for publica-
| ton, to procure the defeat, If possi-
| Bile, of all Republican candidates for
| the legislature who do not make
answers indicating their approval
of the platform. If this is not the
purpose of the resolution, then 1t
has no purpose But if it is carried
| into effect then whether it has a
purpose or not, the operation will
be equally mischievous.
For a party to demand from a
candidate for a nomination his pub
lie expression of opinion on certain
public questions concerning which he
may be called upon to act is entire
/ ly justifiable. But when the nomi-
nation has been given to him, and
he has become a candidate for elec-
ton as against the candidate of the
opposing party, then for his own
party organization to demand thai
he shall publicly declare his atti'
tude on questions that are disputed
not between the two opposing par
ties, but between the two wings oi
his own party, is not only unneces
sary and unfair but is little short Of
treason. When a candidate has re
ceived a party nomination he is en-
titled to the active and aggressive
support OF lne party OISdulEdllOh
But here is a party organization tha
proposes to compass the defeat o
It's own candidate if he does no
subscribe to every plank in plat
form adopted after his nomination
and Objectionable to a great body o
Republican voters, and to lay hin
open to defeat if he does so sub
scribe.
1t was a most ill-considered, i'll
timed and unwise action on the par
of the convention. 1t can only b.
explained by that lack of politica
skill and that exuberance of feel
ing which is likely to characteriz'
the novice in politics, flushed will
: recent victory.
! The Citizen calls attention to
at this time, not for the purpose o
. criticising the convention or IL
: leaders, but in the hope that tn,
, matter will be looked upon in 1t
true light, that wiser counsels will