Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-01-14
Platforms and Nominations.

Gov. Smith of New York, in his pre-
e. ption for solidarity through pre-
7 Nclination declaration Of principles.
] set the Democratic party difficult
{ :. In his letter which was read at
{ Jackson day harmony dinner here
& other night he stressed the need
c. an agreement upon and pronounce
III OF policies in advance of the gath
{ ag which names the candidates. His
IDS on this subject should be care
1. l.y noted:
venture to say that the declaration
C. party principles might well be tenta-
ely drafted at the earliest possible
= oment. I believe we have erred in the
past by waiting for the national con-
v.ntion to undertake the entire task of
preparing a platform. In the heat and
rush Of convention the platform. when
finally written. is. to my way OF think
i-g. not sufficiently understandable to
the masses OF the people. There is too
great a tendency 10 speak Of the evils
that beset US and 10 fail TO suggest any
specific remedy. Party platforms Of re-
cent years have been too general in
their terms and important questions
have been neglected by platform build
ers IN the spirit of compromises with
on both shoulders. The Democratic
party must talk out TO the American
people IN no uncertain terms.
Just how is this suggested remedy to
be applied? Is there TO be a pre-con-
vention convention. to be devoted strict
~ to the task Of framing the platform,
with lapse Of time before the nom
mating gathering? Who would consti-
tute the party" at such a meeting?
Would the delegates named for nomina-
ton purposes be also the platform max
ers. perhaps making two trips to the
convention city? Or would the ma
tonsl committee write the platform?
The national committee Of a party is
Q "hsld-over" from the preceding quad
rernial convention. II has heretofore
been regarded as fundamental political
law that the national committee Of one
campaign year must not attempt TO
dictate the principles upon which the
next campaign is to be fought OF
course. q political party is supposed to
hare q continuing line Of policy from
which il must not depart between cleo
tons or even in the course Of a long
period But political expediency has
always modified this supposition and
there have been numerous instances OF
revision and modification and soft
pedaiing" and compromising to meet
newly arising conditions.
To satisfy all the elements Of party
"a al sections as fully as possible
platform must be written by conven-
ton composed Of the delegates who are
fresh from the people," who repre-
sent the latest expressions in the vari-
GUS districts and States. OF course, it
Il true that the delegate 10 the party
conventions are almost always chosen
with reference TO their preferences tor
candidate rather than their views on
issue" Add il is this fact that makes
II difficult 70 associate platform writ
Ing from candidate choosing. Even IL
separated by az interval OF time. the
platform would be a reflection Of the
candidate preferences Of the delegates.
II the same personnel constituted both
gstaeringg
Despite its difficulties, Gov. Smiths
suggestion has unceniabie merit in the
abstract. Il would b. a wholesome
change for political party 10 present
H. statement Of principles 10 the coun-
Try Ia advance Of the nomination Of
The candidates.. As guarantee that the
candidates named actually represent
Those principles. AZ q pledge that those
candidates II elected would carry out
those principles In point Of practice
Tie adoption Of a platform actually
Drecedes the selection Of candidates, and
the nominations are supposed 70 1T the
platform. But 1t has occurred, as IN
1904, that the candidate has declined
10 stand Oh the platform already adopt
% and has compelled It's modification
With this precedent 70 guide the Demo-
cratic party II may be tina. the dilemma
which Cor Smith perhaps foresees In
the Immediately forthcoming campaign
xaay be avoided should the convention
that dominates MIN, should that be his
fortune, Al the same time adopt q plat
form Upon which he cannot consc.en-
Goalaiy 90 70 the country.
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Old john Bafieycorn has hls perlodA