The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1916-08-10
WASHINGTON NEWS -
GOSSIP 81 szzzzzs szaazs sn5za:

WASHINGTON, D. c., Aug. 10
The first opportunity to read, analytic
and reflect upon the remarkable
platform which the late Democratic
convention at Parkersburg put forth,
has been given the States colony Of
politicians. They embraced it with
expectant interest. Due TO its grea,
length the Democratic papers in the
State have just been able to print
u In its entirety, despite the fact that
II was born Of the End. inst.
The Judgment OF the Republicans
leaders on that novel document is far
from being mixed with anger, as un-
sophisticated ones might suspect. On
the contrary. It is regarded in the
smiling light of an infectious humor.
Apparently conceived in all serious.
ness by its authors, approved by q
convention In the same grave attitude
Of mind, and expected by both the
composers and the delegates to be
gnlped down by the public in the same
solemn and %unthinking manner the
fact Is that these well.laid plans and
cherished hopes have gang aft aglec.
or words to that general effect, If the
expressions OF many men are to be
relied upon.
The prominent leaders here O the
party assailed are of the opinion that
In their zeal to spread the molasscs
tolcatch votes. as W. Wilson was wont
TO say of a certain wrecked platform
which hangs like a spectre In the ma.
ttonall political sky, the Parkersburg
product went too far. 1t undertook
to include too much territory. They
oyerplayed themselves with their
platform as one expert observer who
Is more or less Of a neutral, declared
today. "They promised too much and
affirmed as truth too much that the
Intelligent people Of West Virginia
know isn't SO" he added.
Commenting on the same subject,
g well known Republican leader in
West Virginia who dropped off a train
here today to talk politics before in.
teryiewfng the sad sea waves at At
lantic City, declared that the Demo.
cratic platform was so extreme, so
plaintly hyperbolical, hypocritical and
talse that 1t has already started re-
sentiment in the minds OF voters who
are capable Of putting a mind Of their
own behind their ballots. aimed to
softsoap a certain kind OF partymen,
those who played the LOSERS In the
primary, and those who puff with
pride when they boast of their su-
pertor independence Of party princi.
pies and Organization. the Democratic
platform is so patiently a deceit, so
brazenly untruthful, so apparently a
trap. baited with specious allurements
and false pretenses, set TO catch the
minimizing and the unwary that It not
only defeats the base motives which
underlie 1t but will rebound 10
strengthen the unity, determination
and activity of the Republican can.
patgn. There Is such a thing as over.
playing ones hand and the Democrat.
tc zealotse who are to blanc TO-. this
platform monstrosity appear to have
done Il.
III there is any one thing that the
Republicans Of West Virginia In their
pride in their party's progressive
achievements are touchy about 1t is
any attempt Of the opposition to be.
smirch their party's oscutcheon. and
to attempt to blacken its record.
There are countless voters in the
State who are too young to remem.
Der what kind Of government their
State had twenty years ago, when the
Democratic party and Governor Mac.
corkle went out OF business as mana.
gers ofsaffairs. There ere many who
do y wasn't much OF a state IN
those days and It wasn't much OF a
government as they well remember.
It was strictly a south.of.Mason.and.
Dixon Commonwealth, a before.the.
yah state, and the people and the