Show I Promises Made and Broken I THE forthcoming forthcoming- national election ought JL I to determine among other things whether the American people contemplate with resentment or with Indifference the 1 deliberate deliberate- dl disavowal owal a of ot po political platforms S i. i after they have served their apparent purpose purpose purpose pur pur- pose of ot smoothing the wa way into office e for a n aI aset I set et of ot candidates ates Political platforms were once con considered jd red solemn covenants between i political parties and tho the p people ople a list of II promises which would be bo scrupulously scrupulous obi ob ob- ob- ob i served Since March 4 1 1 1913 a new conI conception conception con con- has obtained d and the question Is I whether the approve of or it iL The Democratic national platform of I I 1912 solemnly stated that pledges our arcI are arc I made mado to be kept Jept and the Democratic platform platform plat plat- I form torm of or In G recited d that we challenge 1 II comparison of at our record our oua keeping of ofF 5 r F pledges In the light tight of tho the earlier arHer boast 4 41 and the later chall chali challenge it Is worth while to examine whether that party has as kept in I office during during- the the p past t three and a ai i halt half years ears the tho pledges It made to obtain obtainS S office s Among AmonS' the that party part made In I 1912 1012 that It It- has broken are aro tho the rollow following ng The The single presidential term the tlc pledge 1 of or non-interference non of the executive with the legislative affairs of ot government the i promise that legitimate le American Industry S would be he safeguarded tho the pledge that American Ameri Amert- can coa wise coast vessels passing through the Panama c canal nal would be granted ranted exemption front from tolls the promise that American natural t resources would be bo conserved the promise 1 that reforms wo would ld v be introduced Into tho the t I administration of at civil and criminal law Jaw t the pledge that officials appointed to ad administer ad- ad minister all and and s the District of ot Columbia would would be be qualified by previous 1 bona b na tide fide residence ce the he pledge for tOt physical 3 Valuation of ol railroads railroads- the pledge for tor free free- ot ii t speech i in Congress the pledge for tor publicity in the tho making of or appointments j the pledge of loyalty to the tho civil service er law the pledge of protection for lor or American citizens citizens citi citi- zens throughout the world S1 1 it It Is an ha n Impossibility Impo that the American J I elector should be bo able to vote Intelligently I In a n. national election where fundamental I I principles are aro Involved unless he understands under inder- S. S t stands what those principles are as set I forth in the party p at platforms it Is equally Impossible that he should be able ablo to vote I 1 Intelligently unless he can feel teet assured that 5 I the promises made In those platforms will 11 be kept that the principles he elects shall S followed In the a administration of ot gov- gov will vIII be followed b by those whom i. i A he sel selects for or that purpose c. c It is b impossible that he ho should intelligently con consider the promises made b b the tho Democratic party part In Its national platform because that party part as ns has hns been shown above docs does not keep its pro promises rn I ses The file man who complains most about tho incompetency of oC t the e Legislature Is usually ho who votes for tor the candidate whom ho considers a a. good fellow tellow |