Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1920-07-04
THE DEMOCRATIC PLATFORM.

The man who wrote the body of the democratic
platform was not a master of English as was ms
republican competitor But nat does not matter in
the rough "a nd tumble of politics. Homer S Gum
mngs should have been given the task as literary
editor of smoothing it up His keynote speech
showed his talent.
As was virtually to be expected, the League of
Nations occupies the major attention ot this long
document First the views of the president, as rep
resented by Carter Glass, Incorporated. Then
that declaration neutraized by overriding the
president adding "but do not oppose the accept
ance of any reservations making clearer more
specific the obligation of the United States to the
league associates"
What these notifications should be is matter
of judgment. Thus the platform is wide enough for
all to get on board
In this respect it differs little from the republican
declaration. The distinction we sense it, is that
the republican struggle was to widen the plank to
include the irreconcilables while the democratic
struggle was to include the reservationists
The great body of Americans who believe in a
league with necessary reservations stand upon
either, with the privilege of putting their own inter-
probation upon the word necessary
The league declaration of the democrats is argu-
mentative rather than declaratory.
Like the republicans they advocate tax revision
Like the republicans they advocate public econ
They attribute the high cost of living to other
causes than do the republicans, but both pledge
measures to reduce it.
Both believe in budget system.
Both advocate relief to agriculture.
On our early study, we little distinction in the
attitude of the two parties toward labor. Both look
fair to us.
Both are for woman suffrage and both for of
disabled soldiers.
The democrats seek to dodge responsibility for the
railroad bill although the president signed it. How
ever, they stand for fair test of its effectiveness
on highways, they not far divergent from the
republicans.
In some minor matters, of which little will be
heard in the campaign, the platforms differ.
1t is true that President Wilson could not stand
upon the republican league plank, nor Senator Borah
upon the democratic But most people could stand
upon either with some reservations OF the mental
type.
Fairness demands the statement that aside from
the platform. the democratic tendency is toward
modified ratification while the republican tendency
is toward reservations which alter the character Of
the document
When all is said and done, the issues outside
the platforms,
The League of Nations, the records of the parties,
where the faith of the people should be placed for
their future advantage, specifically, who can best
solve deflaton, reduction in the high cost of living
and economy in public expenditures are the real is
sues of the campaign, as see them.
The personal equation of fitness for leadership in
present crisis the real issue of the campaign.
In other words, "Wilsonsm" is the probable issue
of real consequence.
The construction placed upon the platforms by the
party leaders will, perhaps, even probably. modify
the real trend of the campaign.
Therefore il is somewhat ca ~ to give more ac-
curate statement Of issues than first impress.
sion.
We start from here; where we will wind up In
November is matter of conjecture.