The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-09-06

son, w. j. 6ryan-repuulaUeuI nat lQea or
that purpose.
This was struggle against the monopoly
power of wealth and special priviIege-the
power of wealth to cut off the opportuni-
ties of labor and to exact tribute without
bestowing a corresponding equivalent.
Equal rights to all, special privileges to
none," as jefferson had formerly said, was
the watchword OF the Democratic party.
This struggle would continue until the
abuses of which he spoke had been abol-
ished and all citizens placed upon a
plane of equality, with respect to natural
opportunities. "The interest of the poor
est as we'll as the richest" he said ''de-
pands that property rights should be re-
spected, and that none shall be in a posi-
ton to secure wealth except by producing
it or b., giving therefor Just equivalent.
1.-THE so-called new Democracy aimed at
this OBJ iact. This Democracy was indeed
the old Democracy of Thomas J. Jefferson
revived. The standard of that party was
now placed in the hands of the nearest
successor in type and manhood, mind and
heart, to the immortal Jefferson that the
great Chicago convention could. find in ali
the party in fhis Nation"
The speaker next dwelt with the accu-
sation that the Democrats are enuuciating
anarchical principles. observing apropos
of the same that this accusation came in q
strangely ironical shape from the party
including among its number the greatest
living anarchist on earth. Eli Perkins
the greatest liar in the world, was sup
porting Mckinley.
Then followed caustic references to G. p.
Huntington, the gold-standard monopoly,
Daniel E. Sickes, Senator Villas, J. P.
Irish and other Democratic "recusants,"
of which, he observed, the party was very
well rid.
The Democratic platform declared that
the reconciliation of silver was the para
mount issue of the mpaign.
In the event of such an improbable con-
tingency as McKinley's election, he
pointed out that the tariff question could
not be handled Immediately, inasmuch as
the Senate, by nearly two-thirds major
ity, stood as an impossible barrier against
any such legislation and certain Senators
in particular were pledged not to pass
tariff law until silver was remonetized.
Before, therefore, the tariff became a
really important issue two more elections
must be decided.
In quoting from the Chicago platform
he laid stress upon those clauses which
declare for liberty of conscience.
Religious liberty" he said, means the
absolute equality and independence of
every man, beyond question and beyond
criticism, and that no man shall be de-
barred from the political rights of citizen
ship, sovereignty and service by reason of
MS religious opinions.
The Chicago platform. he further ex-
planned, declared that no discrimination
should be exercised by the United States
in favor of any of its debtors, and he de-
nounced any attempt on the part of Con-
gress to pass the funding bill. 1t was
found i'm possible, he remarked, parenthet-
ically, to pass such plank at the Repub-
lican convention.
There were too many Hannas there.
HDO NOT - continued I1dra Mo
guire, THAT to the people of California
the question of refunding is as great n
importance as the silver question, though
not so, of course to other sections. But
here it means all the difference between
chains and freedom. 1t will be matter
what kind of money they will be per-
mitted to exchange the products of their
labor if they are to be the industrial slaves
of a transportation monopoly.
"There is pending in Congress now a
refunding bill known as the Powers bill.
which has the approval of a majority of
the Committee on Pacific Railroads, and
which is very much worse than was the
Reilly refunding bill of the Fifty-third
Congress. The bill IS to refund the steal
ings Of the directors of the Union and
Central Pacific railroads. The refunding
under the Powers bill proposed that the
period of payment of the debt shall be ex-
tended over eighty-six years.
1.-The Reilly bill was for fifty years, at 2
per cent per annum; the Reilly bill carried
8 per cent. Mr.. Huntington and his associ-
ates became holder in the Fifty-fourth
Congress. Instead of fifty years, at 3 per
cent, the present bill, by extending paw
ment over eighty-six years, virtually re-
funds at per cent. The average period
of refunding would be fifty-hve years for
the whole Of the debt, and the interest.
therefore, would be 2 per cent.
THE lowest interest on the National debt
paid by the Government is 81 per cent,
and the Government would consequently
in this case pay Ia per cent per annum
more than they would receive back durino
the whole of that period, or $94, 500, 600.
''At the end ofeighty-six years of infinite
trouble and scandal the Government
would get III per cent of its present
claim, or about 500 300. 900 net. ont of the
the Powers scheme California would nav
$241, SOC, 600 In excessive freights and fares.
g. l.. Johnson has sought to vindicate the
Powers bill, and argues that by robbinp
the United States OF $94, SEQ, 900 we viii
save the people of California Just that
much, because he says if that ninety-four
millions were added by increasing the in
terest TO be paid by the companies. the
people of California will be obliged to paw
it in higher rates and fares.
This is confession from their own
camp. If the refunding bill passes at ali
the people of California will be taxed $241.
800, 900 as | said before. Why should thew
do this in order to get twenty millions in to
the treasury of the United States?n
A better course than this, the speaker
suggested, would be to allow the company
to cancel the whole of the debt. But as a
legitimate alternative he declared the
Government which practically owns the
two roads, might take them. Applause
But when the roads were taken he would
disagree with his socialistic friends as TO
what ought to be dole with them. He
would favor a course under which all such
roads would be declared public highways:
he would have them opened under Gov
eminent supervision 10 the private COM
petition of carriers. The other function of
Government would be TO guard against
monopoly, and here its duty would practi-
cally cease. The people had started out
upon crusade against monopoly and