The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1914-06-16

NentlDn.
Dear Sir: You will recall that |
was a member of the committee on
Platform and Resolutions from the
Fifth District at the recent State con-
vention, over which you presided.
Hon. Cam Morrison, Gov. D~oughton
and | were named as subcommittee
To draft the platform after the full
had heard the report and
arguments OF the special committee
appointed by Governor Craig to pre-
sent the recommendations of the pro-
gressive convention Of Democrats re-
Gently held in Raleigh. This commit
tee consisted Of Hons. Clarence Poe,
A. NJ. Scales. J.. w. Bailey. Judge Ora
ham. DR.. Alexander and Judge Biggs.
You were no doubt struck by the fact
that the platform as presented and
adopted by the convention was silent
on nearly all the subjects recommend
ed by Governor Craig's special COM
mittee Of distinguished Democrats.
MIR. Mcl<innon, the committeeman
from the Seventh District, and | pre-
scented a minority report. demanding
a leGaliZed primary law for all offices
10y both parties to be held on the
same day at the expense of the State,
and s~afeguarded by a strong corrupt
practices act. Our report was voted
down in the convention, and the thin,
weak plank of the committee on this
subject was adopted. l limited my
formal objections to the primary
plank Of the platform, because | be
lieve that a thorough-going primary
law and strong corrupt practices act
Is the gateway to all needed reforms,
and until we get this, that issue should
not be b~eClouded.
The platform as adopted, however,
Is far from satisfactory to me and
thousands Of other progressive Demo-
crast in North Carolina who were not
at the convention. and for whom /
spoke in support of the minority re-
port. 1t is on accoun of what the
platform does not say, rather han
what it does say. that those true
friends and supporters of President
Wilson and his progressive policies
and teachings object.
1t is not sufficient for a Democratic
platform to declare, as does our plat
form. in favor of the ~"prinCiple" of u
legalized primary law. We should
demand the enactment" of a thor
o~ugh-going law for all offices. The
platform sounds well, and means
well, but as touching this and many
other vital questions in North Caro-
lima. it is either feeble and indefinite
or silent.
Not Rank and File Expression.
There were SO many counties in the
State not represented in the conven
ton at all. and others by only one OIL
two delegates. that the contents o
this platform and the vote by which
the primary plank was adopted car
not he taken as a final expression O
the sentiment Of h rank and file o
our party in this State.
In my judgment there are thousand
upon thousands of lifelong Democrat
in North Carolina who are disappoint
ed that the dominant and really onl,
political party in this State did no
speak out and blaze the way for tn
many truly great social, economics
and Industrial reforms which are en-
gaging the attention of thoughtfu
people throughout the world.
When l argued in support of tn
adoption of the primary plank tina
President Wilson and Mr.. Bryan bot
urged it as a party measure. a leade
for the majority report replied tina
North Carolina Democrats did nc
have to so to Nebraska and New Jel
sey to learn Democratic principles @
teachings. that we should ignore the
advice. President Wilson tells us thu
ne is surprised that we lave no pr
mary law in North Carolina. but W
arc told not To take advice from Ne
Jerscy-meaning Mr.. Wilson. w
have looked in the past to Nebrask
and New Jersey for leaders. and no
mock at their progressive teaching
How long "a this last in North Car,
lima?
Woodrow Wilson was nominated
Baltimore and elected President c
these progressive issues. Our repr
scntativcs in Washington are supper
ing Mr.. Wilson and Mr.. Bryan in q
their progressive measures, viii
many Of the party leaders in the Sta
are repeatedly ridiculing the sugge
tion OF our following their adviC
This condition cannot last. We C.;
not he progressive in Washington al
reactionary in North Carolina. ,
undertake it is folly, and to succeed
1t IL Il fraud.
Nufiiiu. New of Vital Importance
AS the platform which was adoi
cd is supposed TO contain North Car
lina's political wisdom and philos
phy, | invite every Democrat in t
State to read it and see for the