The Washington times., 1914-04-01
IRRESPONSIBLE POLITICS

IRRESPONSIBLE POLITICS
President Wilson's success in
overturning one of the important
propositions of the platform on
which he was elected, and in COM
mitting the great majority of his
party in Congress to that procedure,
suggests how really inconsequertial
are the platforms made by national
or other conventions. Indeed, the
rapid progress in repudiating the
whole Baltimore platform, and the
very general acquiescence and ap-
proval the country has given to the
performance, ought to contribute
much toward a revolution in politi-
cal methods that would do away
with national conventions as now or
ganized, and with platforms as now
written.
The biggest thing in our system
of government, as now developed.
is the political party system; yet the
political parties are 50 utterly ire
sponsible that their great powers
have repeatedly been seized and SUBJ
verted to the most improper pur-
poses. Think of the two perform
ances Of 1912! At Chicago the con-
troll Of the Republican party was
stolen. from the people rightfuIly en-
titled to exercise it; the nominee
favored by the large majority of the
party was rejected. At Baltimore
the nominee who received on a series
of ballots a clear majority of votes
was defeated, and a platform was
written, Of which nothing but shreds
and tatters may now be discerned,
after a year of party control!
These observations are made. not
by way of especial criticism of any
party, but to point the argument
that the old methods are outworn.
Political platforms mean nothing in
particular; they are made by no.
body in particular. Who renem-
bers the name of the chairman of
the committee on resolutions at
either Chicago or Baltimore? Who
can name, offhand, the member of
that committee from his own State!
At the end of less than two years, it
is a matter of serious research to
find out who composed such a COM
mittee. Recently the charge was
made that the free-tolls plank was
sneaked into the Baltimore platform
by stealth, and the story gained
wide circulation and no little
credence before anybody could dig
up records and personal recollec-
! tions and prove that it was not true!
Making platforms in this way, for
the purpose of catching votes, and
then repudiating them, as both par
ties do on occasion without COM
junction, is an insult to the intelli-
gence of the people. Moreover, il
keeps our public affairs in turmoil.
1t makes qIite impossible to pur-
sue anything like a consistent course
of public policy.
Suppose the Baltimore platform
had declared for repeal of the f, &c
tolls law? What would have re-
suited?
Mr.. Wilson in all probability
would not have been elected Presi-
dent. That declaration would have
been so tremendously unpopular be-
fore the country that it would in sil
likelihood have turned to Roosevelt
enough more votes to carry the
country for him.
To say that, again. is not 10 say
that President Wilson is wrong ir
insisting on repeal. He has solemn.
ly assured the Congress that there
are ample public reasons for the
course he urges, and The country viii
feel, as Congress does, that such ar
assurance must be taken as In com
plete good faith. But the fact re-
mains that Mr.. Wilson had the
popular end of that issue before
election, and that had he then taker
the side he now espouses he might
not have been elected.
/ All these things point the conclu
sion that political platforms ought t.
be made in some responsible way
by men who will have some concern
about their observance. In Wiscon
sin they have a popular primary il
which men run on their persona
platforms for the nominations
then, when the nominations arr
made, the nominees for State Office
and legislative positions get togethe
in a convention and make the plat
, form for their party. This make
the platform stand for the men re