Evening journal., 1916-06-01
TIE RRnkEN PLEDGES.


m HERE is plank Of the Democratic platform OF
i 1912 that viii certainly not be repeated in the
platform St. Louis in 1916. That s the closing
paragraph which that "our pledges are made
to be kept when in Office well relied upon dur
ing the campaign" To insert that plank in the plat
form OF 1916 would make the Democratic National
Convention the laughing stock Of the whole country
EThe convention itself could not restrain its express
sion of mirth over such that
The first pledge in the Democratic platform of 1912
related to the tariff and asserted the purpose of
party to revise the tariff "by legislation that will not
Iniure or destroy legitimate industry" Every citizen
OF the United States knows. and the records of the
Department Commerce demonstrate. that the Demo-
cratic tariff threw markets open competition
with the products of cheap labor in Europe and Asia
with the result that factories either closed
or went on part time. employees thrown out OF
work their purchasing reduced and the in
Jury reflected upon every legitimate industry in
the United States. That injury overcome by the
outbreak of the European war; which established an
almost absolute protection Of American industry from
foreign competition and created market for our
goods unequaled our history
The next plank in the platform Of 1912 pledged the
Democratic party TO "reduce the Of living" but
z government records show that the cost Of living i'm
creased. before the outbreak OF the European
and that has by enormous strides ever
since
The next plank pledged the Democratic administra-
ton TO vigorous enforcement Of the criminal as we'll
the civil laws against trusts, the party having
serted that the record OF the Republican party this
respect of failure. Upon this pledge the
Democratic party secured many of It's votes but il
has absolutely nothing in its record TO show that any
Illegal trust has been successfully prosecuted either
civilly criminay.
The next plank pledged the Democratic party to
keep Of the coordinate branches of the govern
ment within its bounds and not to permit one to
encroach upon the just powers OF any OF the others
Notwithstanding that pledge it is notorious that the
Democratic majority in Congress has acceped dicta-
tsa from the White House in matters of legislation.
y The income tax and popular election OF Senators
we're the next planks the platform. but upon these
there was no issue, the Republicans had already
submitted the constitutional amendments for these
measures to vote the States and they we're advo-
Gated by both parties
The next two planks advocated presidential pr-
maries and single term for the President both of
which pledges have been ignored or violated
The next important pledge was protection OF the
personal and property rights of American citizens at
home and abroad, and the uphoding Of the honor and
dignity OF the Nation-a pledge that has been so fire.
quently violated to make it hazardous for a man
TO claim American citizenship in nearest sister
Republic
return TO simplicity and economy" aud "reduc-
tion in the number Of public Offices" came next in
the Democratic platform Of 19l2-a pledge that ha.
been followed by increases in Offices. multiplication
of appropriations. and public extravaganza combine,
with inefHciency in public service.
The establishment OF a merchant marine "withou
Imposing additionA burdens upon the people" wa
the next Important pledge upon which the party mad
an Issue in Tie last campaign. The only effort 10
ward the fulfment OF that pledge has been ap
preparation government purchase of ships and tn
expenditure of a unknown OF money beginnin
with an appropriation Of s50OO000O.
> That pledge was followed by for the exemption
from tolls of American ships engaged in coastws
trade passing through the Panama Canal, pledg
sthat only ignored but expressly and open.
violated at the earliest opportunity
Honest enforcement of the civil service law ito thu