The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-08-27
THE PATTY PT.ATrORD1s.

THE PARTY PLATFORMS.
A. far ~ the party platforms for
the present state political campaign
are concerned. the Kansas voter can
pay his money and take his choice.
Except a. to differing details and
anG on some matters of
the sociological and humanitarian va
riety, the platforms that were written
at the recent councils Of the leaders
and candidates Of the three larger par
ties run pretty much along the same
lines. Not only are the Republicans
and the Progressives in apparent ac-
cord. as far as their platforms 60, on
the major political issues of the mo-
ment. But the Democrats are also
with them, hook, line and sinker. And.
strange to say, not q single new piece
Of purely political propaganda is Of
fered by any Of the three parties.
They are singing the same songs that
they have sung in Kansas for the last
few years, with the words and tunes
changed here and there to suit their
fancies.
So the present campaign in Kansas
will be much like the other two that
have preceded 1t in respect to any par
ticular significance that may attach to
the platforms that have been promul-
gated by these three parties. 1t will
not be a campaign in which there will
be a fight for strongly marked po-
litical principles. 1t will be the same
old kind Of a scramble for votes among
the candidates on their personalities
and individual promises.
The work of the party councils is
more evidence If any were needed of
how effectually the primary plan AZ it
is operated in this state has destroyed
the rule and responsibilities of the po-
litical parties, and their initiative as
well. Now the party platforms are
drawn in the main by the candidates
for office. The result is that the can
didates Of each party are bent on writ
ing a platform, that will catch every
possible vote. and so of necessity. care
is taken that rot a political principle
or policy is left out of the platform
Of one party that might by any chance
get into the platform of another party.
Hence the sameness Of the platforms.
Hence their lack Of force.
But what does it matter, anyhow.
Political Platforms like the treaties
and conventions that nations agree
upon in times of peace. are seldom
worth more than the paper upon
which they are written. That's what
they've come to be in Kansas Of late
years at any rate. For instance. four
years ago both the Democratic and Re
publican platforms announced in favor
of the initiative and the referendum.
The Republicans were victorious at
the polls. Did they make good their
promise in the legislature? They did
not. Two years ago the same planks
were in the platforms Of both these
parties. The Democrats were the
lucky ones on election day. Did they
make good this promise in the legis-
lature? They did not This year.
both the Republicans and the Demo-
Gratis and the Progressives as we'll an
nounce in favor Of the initiative and
the referendum, though in different
terms, OF course. Is there any danger.
no matter which party wins. that the
legislature will take action according
ly? Not the slightest because Of the
differences on this question as to de-.
tails.
How much better It would have
been had the Republican party ignored
this particular plank in its platform.
1t was forced on the party in the first
place by those who afterwards at
tempted to destroy the party and are
now for the most part in the ranks
Of the Progressive party. Had the
Republicans left this plank out OF
their platform. this issue could then
have been presented to the people.
They would have been given q chance
- ~,o%n Rov ~ ooufnaf Mt tho no11q
But the people are now denied this
privilege. No matter how they may
feel on this important question. they
matter which candidate for governor
this principle.
And 80 it is on most Of the other i'm
portant political questions. The candi-
dates of each party have framed their
platforms not to make q clean cut
fight for political principles. but
merely to get votes. And as far as a
voter being able to register his po-
litical convictions with his ballot is
concerned, he might just az we'll touch
a match to it instead OF putting it into
the ballot box. He can vote for men,
that's all. He has no opportunity to
register his choice on measures.
The present political platforms in
Kansas are veritable pandora boxes
You can get anything out of any OF
them you desire. But the prize pack.
ages in each box are the same. al
though the wrappings and the cord!
with which they are tied differ slightly
WHAT IS TRUE LOVE.
Once into the life Of almost every