The selection of delegates to the republ...

A CHANCE FOR THE DEMOCRACY

The selection of delegates to the republican state convention has already progressed far enough to make it certain that Governor Bliss will be renominated unless something unforeseen happens. There is a strong opposition to the governor within the republican ranks, but this opposition cannot prevent his renomination. With a different man than Stearns opposing him, the result might be different, but so far as buying the nomination goes and the corrupt use of money in controlling the primaries there is little to choose between the governor and the Ludington man. An opponent with a clean record possibly might have secured the nomination away from the governor. Conditions seem in many respects similar to those at the time Candidate Turner failed of election, and if the democrats put up the right kind of a ticket, there is a possible chance of defeating Bliss. But it behooves the democracy to name a ticket which from top to bottom will command the confidence and respect of the voters of the state. There are plenty of such men within the democratic party, but whether they can be nominated is another matter. There are so many factions within the party and some of them inclined to insist upon dead national issues that the difficulties in the way are not small. No national issues should be introduced into the state campaign at all. The platform should be wholly upon state issues. With such a platform it might be possible for the factions to get together and present a united front to the common enemy. The platform should present prominently the question of reform of the primaries. It should demand a more equitable plan of taxation and common honesty in the administration of the public business of the state. It should pledge the party also to hold the great financial syndicates or corporations to their proper sphere and not permit them to run the affairs of the state wholly in their own interests and at the expense of the people. A strong effort needs to be made to keep the government within the rightful province of government and prevent its powers being prostituted to special interests. It would be very easy to construct a platform entirely on state issues, a platform wihch would appeal strongly to voters generally and that could be made to mean something, not a platform to simply catch voters, but one that would be a working platform and that could and would be carried into legislation, if the party should be successful at the polls. At any rate, whether the democracy can win or not, it would be to its credit to put before the people an able, clean ticket and a platform of principles which is just and right and whose demands are in the interest of the people as a whole.

Britain just now is singing the praises of General Lord Kitchener in an apparently most enthusiastic way, nevertheless much of the shouting for Kitcheiner appears to be anything but genuine. Of course his military ability is recognized, but it is also feared. There are conditions in the military arm of the British government which need reform and need it badly. But of course the favorites and political generals dread the hand of so able a military man as Kitchener at the helm in the carrying out of these reforms. It is alleged therefore that these forces will do all in their power to keep him away from London just as long as possible. It is said he is likely to be shipped off to India with a promotion in order that the political barnacles who run the war office may continue unmolested in their high positions. Herein is one of the greatest weaknesses of representative government. Efficiency is sacrificed in order to take care of the political favorites of the party in power.