Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-09-13
,,u u,pwoy,s LETTER.

Another member Of President Cieve-
lands official household has spoken. Az
torney-General Harmon is out In a letter.
which we printed yesterday morning
and which he says IS public answer 10
the many inquiries that have been put
TO him TIE os,ensble object OF this
official. or somi-olicial, opinion or the
Acknowledgement is 10 Inform tho
public'' at large on the question he dis
cusscs. The public, however. arc not so
simple as Mr. Harmon would seem TO
think them. They can hardly fall TO see
In the letter an effort to bolster UP the
Decoyite and Republican attacks on the
Observation-Disclosures declaration Of
the Chicago plavbrm. 1t is nothing more
nor less than an antl-Bryan campaign
document.
Nor is there anything new in the At
torney-Gene-ars dellverance. In both his
arguments and his assumptions MT
Harmon threshes old straw. lie In
terprets the non-interforence plank OF the
Chicago platform, and Mr.. Bryan's con-
structon thereof. TO suit his argument
and what he wants to prove, and follow
ing the line OF the boiling Democratic
and Republican papers and leaders In
respect OF this matter, makes by impli-
cation unwarranted asser lions as to
what may be expected OF Mr.. Bryan
should he be elected President.
But there Is nothing in the Chicago
platform or in Mr.. Bryan's utterances
in respect thereto that commits him
TO the policy Mr. Harmon assumes to fore
shadow for him. What says the platform
on the point at issue? We quote:
During all these years the Democratic
party has resisted the tendency OF sell
fish interests TO tho Capitalization or
governmental power, and steadfastly
maintained the integrity Of the dual
scheme Of government established by
the founders Of this republic Of republics.
Under its guidance and teachings the
great principle OF local self-government
has found its best expression in the main
tenance of the rights Of the states. and
in its assertion Of the necessity OF con-
fning the General Government to the
exercise OF the powers granted by the
Constitution of the United States.
Again:
1--WE denounce arbitrary interference
by Federal authorities in local ef-
fairs as a violation Of the Constitution
Of the United States, and a crime against
free institutions and we especially OBJ
ject to government by injunction as
new and highly dangerous form OF op-
preston. by which Federal judges, In
contempt OF the laws of the State and
rights Of citizens. become at once lcgls-
lators judges, and oXecutioners, and we
approve the bill passed at the last ses-
sion Of the United States Senate. and
now pending in the House OF Represen-
tatives, relative 20 contempts in Federal
courts, and providing for trials by jury
in certain cases Of contempt"
Mr. Bryan has placed himself sQuarely
upon the Chicago platform. including the
two panks quoted. II the public, whom
Mr.. Harmon undertakes 10 instruct, VIII
study these planks. especially In the
light of Mr.. Bryan's letter Of acceptance.
they will be convinced that should the
Chicago nominee be elected President,
there will be no reason 20 fear that either
the rights Of the Fedora! Govern
ment or the rights OF the state. under
the Constitution viii suffer Mr.. Bryan's
construction OF and pledges touching
these declarations would be a complete an
swer to Mr.. Harmon's campaign docu-
ment, even II the declarations did not In
themselves answer It. This last contri-
button to anti-Bryan campaign litera-
ture will hardly. therefore, make many
copverts for the Mckinley Buckner COM
bnation.