USA > New York > History of the state of New York, political and governmental, Vol. VI > Part 37
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44
"New Nations .- The Democratic party expresses its active sym- pathy with the people of China, Czecho-Slovakia, Finland, Jugoslavia, Poland, Persia, and others who have recently established representative governments and who are striving to develop the institutions of true democracy.
"Ireland .- The great principle of national self-determination has received constant reiteration as one of the chief objectives for which this country entered the war, and victory established this principle.
"Within the limitations of international comity and usage, this convention repeats the several previous expressions of the sympathy of the Democratic party of the United States for the aspirations of Ire- land for self-government.
"Armenia .- We express our deep and earnest sympathy for the unfortunate people of Armenia, and we believe that our government, consistently with its Constitution and principles, should render every possible and proper aid to them in their efforts to establish and main- tain a government of their own.
"The Philippines .- We favor the granting of independence without unnecessary delay to the 10,500,000 inhabitants of the Philippine Islands.
"Hawaii .- We favor a liberal policy of homesteading public lands in Hawaii to promote a large middle-class citizen population, with equal rights to all citizens. The importance of Hawaii as an outpost on the western frontier of the United States demands adequate appro- priations by Congress for the development of our harbors and high- ways there.
"Porto Rico .- We favor granting to the people of Porto Rico the traditional Territorial form of government, with a view to ultimate statehood, accorded to all Territories of the United States since the
465
NATIONAL PARTY PLATFORMS
1920]
beginning of our government, and we believe that the officials appointed to administer the government of such Territories should be qualified by previous bona fide residence therein.
"Alaska .- We commend the Democratic administration for inau- gurating a new policy as to Alaska as evidenced by the construction of the Alaska Railroad and opening of the coal and oil fields.
"We declare for the modification of the existing Coal Land law, to promote development without disturbing the features intended to prevent monopoly ;
"For such changes in the policy of forestry control as will permit the immediate initiation of the paper pulp industry ;
"For relieving the Territory from the evils of long-distance gov- ernment by arbitrary and interlocking bureaucratic regulation, and to that end we urge the speedy passage of a law containing the essential features of the Lane-Curry bill now pending, coordinating and con- solidating all Federal control of natural resources under one depart- ment to be administered by a non-partisan board permanently resident in the Territory ;
"For the fullest measure of Territorial self-government with the view of ultimate statehood, with jurisdiction over all matters not of purely Federal concern, including fisheries and game; and for an intelligent administration of Federal control we believe that all offi- cials appointed should be qualified by previous bona fide residence in the Territory;
"For a comprehensive system of road construction with increased appropriations, and the full extension of the Federal Road Aid act to Alaska ;
"For the extension to Alaska of the Federal Farm Loan act.
"Asiatic Immigrants .- The policy of the United States with refer- ence to the non-admission of Asiatic immigrants is a true expression of the judgment of our people, and to the several States whose geo- graphical situation or internal conditions make this policy and the enforcement of the laws enacted pursuant thereto of particular con- cern, we pledge our support.
"The Postal Service .- The efficiency of the Post Office department has been vindicated against a malicious and designing assault by the
466
POLITICAL AND GOVERNMENTAL HISTORY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK
[1920
efficiency of its operation. Its record refutes its assailants. Their voices are silenced and their charges have collapsed.
"We commend the work of the joint commission on the Reclassifi- cation of Salaries of Postal Employes, recently concluded, which com- mission was created by a Democratic administration. The Demo- cratic party has always favored and will continue to favor the fair and just treatment of all government employes.
"Free Speech and Press .- We resent the unfounded reproaches directed against the Democratic administration for alleged interference with the freedom of the press and freedom of speech. No utterance from any quarter has been assailed, and no publication has been re- pressed, which has not been animated by treasonable purposes and directed against the nation's peace, order, and security in time of war.
"We reaffirm our respect for the great principles of free speech and a free press, but assert as an indisputable proposition that they afford no toleration of enemy propaganda or the advocacy of the overthrow of the government of the State or nation by force or violence.
"Republican Corruption .- The shocking disclosure of the lavish use of money by aspirants for the Republican nomination for the highest office in the gift of the people has created a painful impression throughout the country. Viewed in connection with the recent con- viction of a Republican Senator from the State of Michigan for the criminal transgression of the law limiting expenditures on behalf of a candidate for the United States Senate, it indicates the reentry, under Republican auspices, of money as an influential factor in elections, thus nullifying the letter and flaunting the spirit of numerous laws, enacted by the people, to protect the ballot from the contamination of corrupt practices. We deplore these delinquencies and invoke their stern popular rebuke, pledging our earnest efforts to a strengthening of the present statutes against corrupt practices and their rigorous enforce- ment.
"We remind the people that it was only by the return of a Repub- lican Senator in Michigan, who is now under conviction and sentence for the criminal misuse of money in his election, that the present organization of the Senate with a Republican majority was made possible.
467
NATIONAL PARTY PLATFORMS
1920]
"Conclusion .- Believing that we have kept the Democratic faith, and resting our claims to the confidence of the people not upon grandiose promises but upon the solid performances of our party, we submit our record to the nation's consideration and ask that the pledges of this platform be appraised in the light of that record."
Several minority resolutions were offered and de- bated on the floor of the convention. The most im- portant of these were :
By William J. Bryan :- "We heartily congratulate the Demo- cratic party on its splendid leadership in the submission and ratifica- tion of the Prohibition amendment to the Federal Constitution, and we pledge the party to the effective enforcement of the present enforcement law, honestly and in good faith, without any increase in the alcoholic content of permitted beverages and without any weaken- ing of any of its provisions." Defeated, 92912 nays to 15512 ayes.
By W. Bourke Cockran, of New York :- "The validity of the Eighteenth amendment to the Constitution has been sustained by the Supreme Court, and any law enacted under its authority must be enforced. In the interest of personal liberty, and to conserve the rights of the States, we favor Federal legislation under the Eighteenth amendment allowing the manufacture and sale, for home consumption only, of cider, light wines, and beer; reserving to the various States power to fix any alcoholic content thereof lower than that fixed by Congress, as may be demanded by the opinion and conscience of each locality." Defeated, 7261/2 nays to 356 ayes.
By Edward L. Doheny, of California .- "Ireland .- Mindful of the circumstances of the birth of our nation, we reiterate the principle that all governments derive their just powers from the consent of the governed. We will support the continuance of our long-established and useful practice of according recognition without intervention in all cases where the people of a nation have by the free vote of the people set up a republic and chosen a government to which they yield willing obedience." Defeated, 676 nays to 4021/2 yeas.
In addition, resolutions were proposed by Mr. Bryan
468
POLITICAL AND GOVERNMENTAL HISTORY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK
[1920
for 1. Establishment by the government of a "National Bulletin"; 2. Preventing "excessive charges by middle- men"; and 3. An amendment to the Federal Constitu- tion providing for "the ratification of treaties by a ma- jority vote," immediate ratification of the Versailles treaty with such reservations as a majority of the Sena- tors might agree to, and "selection of the nation's dele- gates in the League of Nations by popular vote in dis- tricts." All these were voted down without division, as was a plank offered by Thomas J. Lyons, of Oklahoma, for extending governmental aid to the ex-service men.
Republican Party
Convention held in Chicago, June 8-12, 1920. Tem- porary and permanent chairman, Henry Cabot Lodge.
First ballot for President :- Leonard Wood, of New Hampshire, 2871/2; Frank O. Lowden, of Illinois, 21112 ; Hiram W. Johnson, of California, 1331/2; Wil- liam C. Sproul, of Pennsylvania, 84; Nicholas Murray Butler, of New York, 691/2; Warren G. Harding, of Ohio, 651/2 ; Calvin Coolidge, of Massachusetts, 34; Rob- ert M. LaFollette, of Wisconsin, 24; Peter C. Pritchard, of North Carolina, 21 ; Miles Poindexter, of Washing- ton, 20; Howard Sutherland, of West Virginia, 16; Coleman du Pont, of Delaware, 7; Herbert Hoover, of California, 512; William E. Borah, of Idaho, 2; Charles B. Warren, of Michigan, 1 ; not voting, 1. For the first eight ballots the contest for first place was be- tween Wood and Lowden, the vote of each rising, at the maximum, to slightly over 300; necessary to a choice,
469
NATIONAL PARTY PLATFORMS
1920]
493. Johnson gained until after the fourth ballot, and then lost. No other candidate except Harding showed increase. Hoover, who had been the hope of many inde- pendents in the country at large, at no time on the first nine ballots had more than 6 votes. Following the eighth ballot the leaders in the convention agreed on Harding, who received 3741/2 on the ninth ballot and was nominated on the tenth by the following vote :- Harding, 692 1-5; Wood, 156; Johnson, 84 4-5; La Follette, 24; Lowden, 11; Hoover, 91/2; Coolidge, 5; Butler, 2; Irvine L. Lenroot, of Wisconsin, 1; Will H. Hays, of Indiana, 1; Philander C. Knox, 1; not vot- ing, 1/2.
For Vice-President Calvin Coolidge received the nomination on the first ballot, having 69412 to 3001/2 for six others ; not voting, 9.
Platform (unanimously adopted) :
"The Republican party, assembled in representative national con- vention, reaffirms its unyielding devotion to the Constitution of the United States and to the guarantees of civil, political, and religious liberty therein contained. It will resist all attempts to overthrow the foundations of the government or to weaken the force of its controlling principles and ideals, whether these attempts be made in the form of international policy or domestic agitation.
"For seven years the national government has been controlled by the Democratic party. During that period a war of unparalleled magnitude has shaken the foundations of civilization, decimated the population of Europe, and left in its train economic misery and suffer- ing second only to the war itself.
"The outstanding features of the Democratic administration have been complete unpreparedness for war and complete unpreparedness for peace.
-
470
[1920
POLITICAL AND GOVERNMENTAL HISTORY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK
"Unpreparedness for War .- Inexcusable failure to make timely preparations is the chief indictment against the Democratic adminis- tration in the conduct of the war. Had not our associates protected us, both on land and sea, during the first twelve months of our par- ticipation, and furnished us to the very day of the armistice with munitions, planes, and artillery, this failure would have been punished with disaster. It directly resulted in unnecessary losses to our gallant troops, in the imperilment of victory itself, and in an enormous waste of public funds literally poured into the breach created by gross neglect. To-day it is reflected in our huge tax burdens and in the high cost of living.
"Unpreparedness for Peace .- Peace found the administration as unprepared for peace as war found it unprepared for war. The vital need of the country demanded the early and systematic return of a peace-time basis.
"This called for vision, leadership, and intelligent planning. All three have been lacking. While the country has been left to shift for itself, the government has continued on a war-time basis. The admin- istration has not demobilized the army of place-holders. It continued a method of financing which was indefensible during the period of reconstruction. It has used legislation passed to meet the emergency of war to continue its arbitrary and inquisitorial control over the life of the people in time of peace, and to carry confusion into industrial life. Under the despot's plea of necessity or superior wisdom, Exe- cutive usurpation of legislative and judicial functions still undermines our institutions. Eighteen months after the armistice, with its war- time powers unabridged, its war-time departments undischarged, its war-time army of place-holders still mobilized, the administration con- tinues to flounder helplessly.
"The demonstrated incapacity of the Democratic party has de- stroyed public confidence, weakened the authority of the government, and produced a feeling of distrust and hesitation so universal as to increase enormously the difficulty of readjustment and to delay the return to normal conditions.
"Never has our nation been confronted with graver problems. The people are entitled to know in definite terms how the parties purpose
471
NATIONAL PARTY PLATFORMS
1920]
solving these problems. To that end the Republican party declares its policies and program to be as follows :
"Constitutional Government .- We undertake to end Executive autocracy and restore to the people their constitutional government. "The policies herein declared will be carried out by the Federal and State governments, each acting within its constitutional powers.
"Foreign Relations .- The foreign policy of the administration has been founded upon no principle and directed by no definite conception of our nation's rights and obligations. It has been humiliating to America and irritating to other nations, with the result that after a period of unexampled sacrifice our motives are suspected, our moral influence impaired, and our government stands discredited and friend- less among the nations of the world.
"We favor a liberal and generous foreign policy founded upon definite moral and political principles, characterized by a clear under- standing of and a firm adherence to our own rights, and unfailing respect for the rights of others. We should afford full and adequate protection to the life, liberty, property, and all international rights of every American citizen, and should require a proper respect for the American flag; but we should be equally careful to manifest a just regard for the rights of other nations. A scrupulous observance of our international engagements when lawfully assumed is essential to our own honor and self-respect, and the respect of other nations. Subject to a due regard for our international obligations, we should leave our country free to develop its civilization along lines most conducive to the happiness and welfare of its people, and to cast its influence on the side of justice and right should occasion require.
“(a) 'Mexico
"The ineffective policy of the present administration in Mexican matters has been largely responsible for the continued loss of American lives in that country and upon our border; for the enormous loss of American and foreign property; for the lowering of American stand- ards of morality and social relations with Mexicans, and for the bringing of American ideals of justice, national honor, and political integrity into contempt and ridicule in Mexico and throughout the world.
472
[1920
POLITICAL AND GOVERNMENTAL HISTORY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK
"The policy of wordy, futile written protests against the acts of Mexican officials, explained the following day by the President him- self as being meaningless and not intended to be considered seriously or enforced, has but added in degree to that contempt, and has earned for us the sneers and jeers of Mexican bandits and added insult upon insult against our national honor and dignity.
"We should not recognize any Mexican government unless it be a responsible government willing and able to give sufficient guarantees that the lives and property of American citizens are respected and pro- tected, that wrongs will be promptly corrected, and just compensation will be made for injury sustained. The Republican party pledges itself to a consistent, firm, and effective policy towards Mexico that shall enforce respect for the American flag and that shall protect the rights of American citizens lawfully in Mexico to security of life and enjoyment of property in accordance with established principles of international law and our treaty rights.
"The Republican party is a sincere friend of the Mexican people. In its insistence upon the maintenance of order for the protection of American citizens within its borders a great service will be rendered the Mexican people themselves; for a continuation of present condi- tions means disaster to their interests and patriotic aspirations.
"(b) Mandate for Armenia
"We condemn President Wilson for asking Congress to empower him to accept a mandate for Armenia. We commend the Republican Senate for refusing the President's request to empower him to accept the mandate for Armenia. The acceptance of such mandate would throw the United States into the very maelstrom of European quar- rels. According to the estimate of the Harboard commission, organized by authority of President Wilson, we would be called upon to send 59,000 American boys to police Armenia and to expend $276,000,000 in the first year and $756,000,000 in five years. This estimate is made upon the basis that we would have only roving bands to fight; but in case of serious trouble with the Turks or with Russia, a force exceed- ing 200,000 would be necessary.
"No more striking illustration can be found of President Wilson's disregard of the lives of American boys or of American interests.
473
NATIONAL PARTY PLATFORMS
1920]
"We deeply sympathize with the people of Armenia and stand ready to help them in all proper ways, but the Republican party will oppose now and hereafter the acceptance of a mandate for any country in Europe or Asia.
"(c) League of Nations
"The Republican party stands for agreement among the nations to preserve the peace of the world. We believe that such an inter- national association must be based upon international justice, and must provide methods which shall maintain the rule of public right by the development of law and the decision of impartial courts, and which shall secure instant and general international conference when- ever peace shall be threatened by political action, so that the nations pledged to do and insist upon what is just and fair may exercise their influence and power for the prevention of war.
"We believe that all this can be done without the compromise of national independence, without depriving the people of the United States in advance of the right to determine for themselves what is just and fair when the occasion arises, and without involving them as participants and not as peacemakers in a multitude of quarrels, the merits of which they are unable to judge.
"The covenant signed by the President at Paris failed signally to accomplish this great purpose, and contains stipulations not only intol- erable for an independent people but certain to produce the injustice, hostility, and controversy among nations which it proposed to prevent.
"That covenant repudiated, to a degree wholly unnecessary and unjustifiable, the time-honored policies in favor of peace declared by Washington, Jefferson, and Monroe, and pursued by all American administrations for more than a century, and it ignored the universal sentiment of America for generations past in favor of international law and arbitration, and it rested the hope of the future upon mere expediency and negotiation.
"The unfortunate insistence of the President upon having his own way, without any change and without any regard to the opinions of a majority of the Senate, which shares with him in the treaty-making power, and the President's demand that the treaty should be ratified without any modification, created a situation in which Senators were
474
[1920
POLITICAL AND GOVERNMENTAL HISTORY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK
required to vote upon their consciences and their oaths acording to their judgment against the treaty as it was presented, or submit to the commands of a dictator in a matter where the authority and the responsibility under the Constitution were theirs, and not his.
"The Senators performed their duty faithfully. We approve their conduct and honor their courage and fidelity. And we pledge the coming Republican administration to such agreements with the other nations of the world as shall meet the full duty of America to civiliza- tion and humanity, in accordance with American ideals and without surrendering the right of the American people to exercise its judgment and its power in favor of justice and peace.
"Congress and Reconstruction .- Despite the unconstitutional and dictatorial course of the President and the partisan obstruction of the Democratic Congressional minority, the Republican majority has enacted a program of constructive legislation which in great part, however, has been nullified by the vindictive vetoes of the President.
"The Republican Congress has met the problems presented by the administration's unpreparedness for peace. It has repealed the greater part of the vexatious war legislation. It has enacted a Transporta- tion act making possible the rehabilitation of the railroad systems of the country, the operation of which under the present Democratic administration has been wasteful, extravagant, and inefficient in the highest degree. The Transportation act made provision for the peaceful settlement of wage disputes, partially nullified, however, by the President's delay in appointing the Wage board created by the act. This delay precipitated the outlaw railroad strike.
"We stopped the flood of public treasure recklessly poured into the lap of an inept Shipping board, and laid the foundations for the creation of a great merchant marine; we took from the incompetent Democratic administration the administration of the telegraph and telephone lines of the country and returned them to private ownership ; we reduced the cost of postage and increased the pay of the postal em- ployes-the poorest paid of all public servants ; we provided pensions for superannuated and retired civil servants, and for an increase in pay of soldiers and sailors. We reorganized the army on a peace
475
NATIONAL PARTY PLATFORMS
1920]
footing, and provided for the maintenance of a powerful and efficient navy.
"The Republican Congress established by law a permanent Woman's bureau in the Department of Labor; we submitted to the country the constitutional amendment for woman suffrage, and fur- nished twenty-nine of the thirty-five Legislatures which have ratified it to date.
"Legislation for the relief of the consumers of print paper, for the extension of the powers of the government under the Food Control act, for broadening the scope of the War Risk Insurance act, better pro- vision for the dwindling number of aged veterans of the Civil War and for the better support of the maimed and injured of the Great War, and for making practical the Vocational Rehabilitation act, has been enacted by the Republican Congress.
"We passed an oil-leasing and water-power bill to unlock for the public good the great pent-up resources of the country ; we have sought to check the profligacy of the administration, to realize upon the assets of the government, and to husband the revenues derived from taxation. The Republicans in Congress have been responsible for cuts in the estimates for government expenditure of nearly $3,000,000,000 since the signing of the armistice.
"We enacted a national Executive Budget law; we strengthened the Federal Reserve act to permit banks to lend needed assistance to farmers; we authorized financial incorporation to develop export trade, and, finally, amended the rules of the Senate and House, which will reform evils in procedure and guarantee more efficient and responsible government.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.