Evening star., 1924-06-12
The Republican Platform.

In its essence the Republican plat
form, adopted yesterday by the Cleve-
land convention, is onservative. 1t
contains no startling propositions. no
surprising departures from the dec
larations Of the party in the past. 1t
is silent upon certain accomplished
facts, such as the bonus and japanese
immigration. 1t meets expectation in
its declarations upon the world court
and tax revision.
One of the points on which curl
osity and interest were centered in
advance was the manner in which
the platform would deal with the
scandals OF administration recently
uncovered. On this point the deliv.
erance is as nearly satisfactory as
could be expected. The plank is
sha ped on this line: dishonesty and
corruption are not political attributes" -"
Note is made Of the fact that the in
vestigations have exposed instances
in both parties of men in public Office
who are willing to sell official favors
and men out OF Office who are willing
to buy them" Condemnation of this
practice is unqualified and demand is
expressed for the speedy, fearless
and impartial prosecution Of all
wrongdoers. without regard for po-
litical Affiliations or positions"
Demand was made upon the plat
form writer's for a stiff and explicit
declaration for prohibition enforce
ment. The following paragraph is the
only one that can be construed as a
response:
We must have respect for law. We
must have observance of law. We
must have enforcement of law. The
very existence of the government de-
pends upon this. No honest govern
ment can condone such actions on
the part of its citizens. The Re,
publican party pledges. the full
strength of the government for the
aintenance of these principles by
the enforcement of the Constitution
and of all laws.
1t would be difficult to make a more
specific pledge unless the eighteenth
amendment and the enforcement act
. were distinctly named. The platform
makers have made a more sweeping
pledge for law enforcement than
though the para graph were written
with particular reference to the liquor
question.
In its bearing upon the problems
of agriculture the platform contains
broad and in some respects particular
pledges, claiming that those problems
have been given more serious con-
sideration under the Republican ad-
ministration than ever before. Inas-
much as the farmer vote of the north
west is certain to be a vitality i'm
portant factor in this campaign, it
may be that the Democratic deliv-
erance on this subject will seek to be
more explicit in promises and more
emphatic in claiming performances.
The farmers are to be courted this
year as perhaps never before in Amer
lean political history.
II there is anything in Priority the
Repu blican platform has the advan-
tage over the opposition in respect to
credit for tax reduction. 1t claims as
an achievement of the Republican ad-
ministration the lowering Of the tax
burden, the reduction of the debt and
the lessening of public expenditure. 1t
pledges progressive reduction of taxes
and a comprehensive study Of the tax
systems of the states and the federal
government with a view to more
equitable adjustment.
Explicit Endorsement is given Presi-
dent Coolidges recommendation of
adherence by the United States to
the Permanent Court of International
Justice. Distinctly the platform re.
peats refusal by this government of
membership in the league of nations.
On these two commitments the party
goes to the country.
The platform is long, but not diff
ficult of understanding. 1t is fully
suited to the candidacy of Mr.. Cool
| idge, whose nomination it precedes.