New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-07-04
in the Presidential chair. would he a
catastrophe
THE BALTIMORE PLATFORM.


The Democratic platform, having been
prepared under Mr. Bryan's eye, is
naturally In great measure a recast Of
the platform Of 1908. Eastern Demo
Gratis who thought the Denver conven-
| tons declarations far too radical when
Mr. Bryan stood on them will now be
expected to applaud the same ideas when
! they are subscribed to by an Eastern
| candidate.
On the tariff issue the platform max
ers had 10 be a little wagner than they
were four years ago. \ Democratic
| House Of Representatives has been ap-
plying contradictory theories in revising
the present schedules. and the convention
could not afford TO 90 too far into par
! ticulars II therefore declared i'm favor
of tariff for revenue only, with ma
teral reductions in the duties on the
necessaries of life. The Democratic ma
iority In the House has tangled itself up
| by insisting on duty on wOol-one
necessary If life-while taking the en-
tire duty of Sugar-anOther necessary.
II lDtlt II w IN Il tai III l'l '--AhN why
it ought 10 fall on those articles on
which revenue can he most conveniently
collected. no matter whether they are
neceSSaries or not. Any other plan in
PRODUCES outside considerations. which
are at war with the strict for-revenue-
only theory. But the plain and frank
declaration is in the platform, the candi-
date is its hearty supporter, the free
trade members Of the party would
clamor for its enactment into law, and it.
is certain that in case Of Democratic
success no consideration would be shown
IN tariff legislation to the protection
principle and the welfare of American
labor and industry.
There are two new planks Of impOr
lance in the platform. both dealing with
novel issues. The first pledges the Demo
cratic party to the selection Of all dele
gates to national conventions through
state primaries It thus seeks TO make the
partial experiment Of this year universe
and permanent But the platform sug-
geStS no adequate means Of checking the
ecandalous abuses of the primary SyS-
TEN SO prevalent last spring. II hints AZ
a restriction of the size of political con
tributions 10 n reasonable maximum"
But if the primary system is not 10 he
abolished as far more dangerous than
serviceable its employment ought TO be
hcdged about with drastic provisions
compelling the publication Of all receipts
and expenditures. forbiddng corporation
contributions and limiting contributions
from any one person TO q specified sum
of small proportions. The Democratic
platform invites repetition in 1916 of
the deplorable excuses of 1919. and in so
doing affronts a multitude oi intelligent
citizens
The declaration favoring single
Presidential term may be regarded as
step in the right direction. though
very faulty one The Tribune heartily
approves the single term, but IL believes
that the present term should be length
ened to six years, SO that President
would have more opportunity to develop
his administrative policies than he has
now. It would have been far better If
the platform makers had definitely
favored the twO-year extension. but the
declaration against reelection is rec
Ognition of the increasing demand for
an amendment to the Constitution ac-
cOmpliShing that object