The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1919-10-02
OF THE TWO
POLITICAL PARTIES
Issues on Which Republicans and
Democrats Ask Support. Some
Striking Differences

hepuDncanS and Democrats have
compared the platforms of the two
parties in order to ascertain their
agreement and Emergencies en- impor-
tant public questions pressing for set
tlement. The verdicts were according
to the degree of partisanship.
The most striking opinion was that
on the clause in the Democratic plat
form on woman's suffrage. While the
declaration is adverse to the ratifica-
ton of the woman's suffrage federal
amendment by the General Assembly,
it took no stand for or against the
grant of the voting privilege to wo-
man by the legislature. Hence the
clause may be accepted as begging the
question. The Democrats have not met
it fairly. The Republicans recognized
the two-fold source of the voting
privilege, Congress and the state legis-
lature. The trainers of their platform,
therefore, deemed it wise to leave the
question open, that is, for the legisla-
ture to deal with it as a federal or
state proposition. Hence there was
no declaration on the issue.
On the prohibition question the Re-
publicans have gone further than have
the Democrats, whowere silent in their
platform on this pressing issue. The
Republicans have declared for a state
referendum on the national enforce
ment act. The Democrats believed
that the answer of Mr.. Richie, their
candidate for governor, to the ques-
tionnaire of the Anti-Saloon League
amply covered the issue. This ommis-
sion in the platform does not commit
the Democratic party on the issue.
Mr. Richie alone is committed. His
colleagues and legislative candidates
are not committed
The two parties take opposite posi-
ton on the Peace Treaty including
the League of Nations pact, the Demo-
Gratis declaring the unconditional rati-
fication, while the Republicans declare
that American sovereignty shall be
preserved, to the exclusion of the sur
render of that right to League of
Nations.
The Democrats at first favored and
then opposed merging of the offices
of state road commissioners and motor
vehicle commissioner. The Republican
platform declares for the consolida-
ton of these, as we'll as of other state
offices, in the interest of efficiency
and economy.
With firm grip, despite enormous
vote loses, the Democrats held on to
the declaration of intention" act,
while the Republicans declared for the
repeal
The Republicans declared by direct
act in favor of Baltimore's control of
its police force, while the Democrats
indorse a referendum on the subject.
On increases of pay of public school
teachers and the police, public road
improvement, state merit system, pub
lie education, Development of agricul-
tural resources, protection of natural
oyster beds and on protection of lobor
there are no vital or striking differ
ences in the two platforms. The Re-
publican utterances in some of these
issues are possibly more direct than
are those of the Democrats. 1t is
agreed, however, that in the main the
objects of these clauses are the same.
The following are the summaries of
the two platforms:
Republican Platform.
A treaty of peace that will preserve
American rights and sovereignty to
the American people.
An administration that does not i'm
pose burdensome taxes and one that
gives relief in bringing down the cost
of living.
Better service in the railroad man.
agement, mail, telephone and tele-
graph systems.
Opposition to the pernicious domi-
nation of state machine governed by
Frank Kelly and his satellites.
A genuine merit system.
The merging Of state offices with
the view of bringing about greater
economy in the administration of
affairs
A referendum when amendments to
the National Constitution are pro-
posed.
Better schools and more pay for the
teachers.
Improvement in road construction
by building lateral roads.
Further development of our agri-
cultural resources.
Protection for the natural oyster
beds and bars.
Repeal of the Declaration of Inten-
ton Act
Control by Baltimore of its police
force and more pay for the police.