Palatka daily news. [volume] (Palatka, Fla.) 1919-1994, 1921-10-14
IF A REPUTABLE
REPUBLICAN PARTY.


The gossip about the forming of
a purged and healthy Republican
party in Florida is interesting, though
one can not say now that it is i'm
portant. Undoubtedly, scattered about
Florida are citizens who would like
to be Republicans. They have been
here many a day. They could not
leave the Democratic fold so long as
the only other political fold was shep-
herded by the Chubbs and other
lineal inheritors of the Republican
party born in this state in the late
SOS. Occasionally a respectable citi-
zen has held office by Republican ap
pointment in Florida but such men,
most of them, having been Northern
immigrants, have illustrated no
qualities of leadership, They were
not of the kind to command or at
tract a following.
If the Republicans are to organize
party not contemplate in Florida
it is first necessary for them to find
a bellwether. Their party in any case
would be a minority party, but it
would be of considerable service,
more especially to the national Re-
publican organization.
The Republican party in the Unit
ed States will be handicapped so long
as its quadrennial conventions shall
be polluted by purchasabl edelegates
from the South, as they have been
since 1868. No Republican candidate
for president, though his virtues and
qualifications overshadow all rivals,
can be sure of nomination in a ma
tional convention if one-fourth of its
members be men actually or presum-
ably subject to temptation. Under
present conditions, Southern Re-
publican delegation to q national con-
yention may be acquired by man.
ager who knows the ways. No such
delegation from this state ever rep
resents anything except themselves
and their appetites for Office.
The best of Republican parties in
this state would be small, because
it would represent commercial and
industrial interests seeking "protec-
ton" and other legislative favors. 1t
would not attract all or the majority
of manufacturers and it would by no
means appeal to the larger number of
wealthy men. 1t would be a calumny
to say that a considerable number of
the leaders in business in this state
are Republicans in disguise or less
sincere in their Democratic convic-
lions than are working men and men
of moderate means. That few man
ufacturers and leaders in industry
have persuaded themselves that their
hope is in the ascendency of Repub-
Ecan policies is probably true and
these might enter Republican party
however small, if one not positively
unsanitary in character could, be
brought into being. 1t is to the credit
of these gentlemen that they have
not had the courage heretofore TO
enter the trenches and be the COM
rades of men already hosts Of politl-
cal vermln.
One hope that Republicans may en-
4artain is that the Democratic party
in this state will, sometime or other
degrade iself. 1t is conceivable that
were a respectable Republican party
in existence, self-respecting Demo
Gratis would joni it in the event Of
their own party forgetting its obllga
t;ons to common decency. In Nortt
Carolina. where the Republicans al
wavs have been an important minor
itv. the Democrats do not dare tt
choose candidates likely to DISCUS
any element of the voters. Ot al
Southern states North Carolina 49, Of
the whole, the best governed, excep
Virginia
If the pretty plans of the Republl
cans to reform and apply for respect
able standing shall take shape betor
next year, the Democratic party vii
Immediately show symptoms OF I'm
movement. 1t will begin to search 1t
xssf. It will think about Democrati
principles and lay little more EN-
phssis upon them. 1t, also, will dis
rern the necessity of keeping 1t
house clean. 1t will perceive tina
its interest is inseparable from tn
national party and that will find ex
pr.Ssion in the selection of candidate
who are at all times faithful to tn
national organization and who Woul
not throw a monkey wrench into
Democratic administration IN WASH