Grand Old Platform

Day turned into night, and night to day again, while the wise men of the Grand Old Party labored over what it called

"this platform of its principles." Senator Reed Smoot, the statistical Mormon from Utah,

wrote the framework. Then came other men with amendments, trimmings. Idaho's

slow-footed Borah insisted on phrasing the Prohibition promise his own way. Farmers' Friends kept the convention waiting, and the platform-builders sleepless, with their vain insistence upon a different farm plank (see p. 15). In the end, Senator Smoot pumped all the breath he could into a document containing the following phrases:

Administration. "We endorse without qualification the record of the Coolidge Administration. . . .

"Under this Administration the country has been lifted from the depths of a great depression to a level of prosperity. Economy has been raised to the dignity of a principle of government. . . .

"For the Republican Party we are justified in claiming a major share of the credit for the position which the United States occupies today as the most favored nation on the globe, but it is well to remember that the confidence and prosperity which we enjoy can be shattered, if not destroyed, if this belief in the honesty and sincerity of our government is in any way affected. A continuation of this great public peace of mind now existing, which makes for our material well being, is only possible by holding fast to the plans and principles which have marked Republican control. . . .

Finance, Taxation. "The record of the United States Treasury under Secretary Mellon stands unrivalled and unsurpassed. . . .

"In seven years the public debt has been reduced by $6,411,000,000. . . . [Then followed many a figure.]

Tariff. "We reaffirm our belief in the protective tariff as a fundamental and essential principle of the economic life of this nation. . . . We realize that there are certain industries which cannot now successfully compete with foreign producers because of lower foreign wages and a lower cost of living abroad, and we pledge the next Republican Congress to an examination and where necessary a revision [upward], of these schedules. . . .

Foreign Debts. ". . . We . . . will continue to oppose cancellation of foreign debts.

Foreign Policies. ". . . We endorse the proposal of the Secretary of State for a multilateral treaty. . . .

"The record of the Administration toward Mexico has been consistently friendly

"The United States has an especial interest in the advancement and progress of all Latin American countries. ... In the case of Nicaragua, we are engaged in co-operation with the government of that country. ...

"This government has definitely refused ... to assume any obligations under the covenant of the League.

"On this we stand."

Agriculture. "The agricultural problem is national in scope and, as such, is recognized by the Republican Party which pledges its strength and energy to the solution of the same. . . .

"We promise every assistance in the reorganization of the marketing system on sounder and more economical lines and, where diversification is needed, Government financial assistance during the period of transition.

"The Republican Party pledges itself to the enactment of legislation creating a Federal Farm Board clothed with the necessary powers to promote the establishment of a farm marketing system of farmer owned and controlled stabilization corporations or associations to prevent and control surpluses through orderly distribution.

"We favor adequate tariff protection to such of our agricultural products as are affected by foreign competition.

"We favor, without putting the Government into business, the establishment of a Federal system of organization for cooperative and orderly marketing of farm products. . . .

"The Republican Party pledges itself to the development and enactment of measures which will place the agricultural interests of America on a basis of economic equality with other industry to insure its prosperity and success.

Floods. "The Mississippi Valley flood . . . was met with energetic action by the Republican Administration.

"During this disaster the President mobilized every public and private agency under the direction of Secretary Hoover of the Department of Commerce* and Dwight Davis, the Secretary of War. Thanks to their joint efforts . . . everything possible was done. . . .

"Congress promptly passed legislation authorizing the expenditure of $325,000,000 for the construction of flood control works, which it is believed will prevent the recurrence of such a disaster. . . .

Waterways. ". . . We favor. . . ."

Law Enforcement. "We reaffirm the American Constitutional Doctrine as announced by George Washington in his 'Farewell Address' to wit:

The Constitution which at any time exists until changed by the explicit and authentic act by the whole people is sacredly obligatory upon all.

"We also reaffirm the attitude of the American people toward the Federal Constitution as declared by Abraham Lincoln. . . .

"The people through the method provided by the Constitution have written the Eighteenth Amendment into the Constitution. The Republican Party pledges itself and its nominees to the observance and vigorous enforcement of [it]."

Honesty in Government. "We stand for honesty. . . . We deplore the fact that any official has ever fallen from this high standard. . . .

Campaign Expenditures. ". . . The Republican Party, beginning not later than August i, 1928, and every 30 days thereafter--the last publication being not later than five days before the election--will file with the Committees of the House and Senate a complete account of all contributions, the names of the contributors, the amount expended, and for what purposes, and will at all times hold its records and books touching such matters open for inspection.

"The party further pledges that it will not create, or permit to be created, any deficit which shall exist at the close of the campaign. . . ."

This was a slap at chronic Democratic deficits.

* This was the first mention of Candidate Hoover's name at the convention. A "demonstration" (handclapping) ensued for two minutes, 20 seconds.