The San Francisco call., 1897-08-24

on advertising account In good faith
would seem to the unbiased observer to
require the presence of an advertisement.
1t is explained by Mr.. Mills that such ac-
counts are sometimes opened with papers
of good standing even If there is no adver-
tisement. But the Southern Pacific does
not sh over favors gratutously. When it
bestows the boon of a free ride its COM.
pen.ation is in sight even though invisi-
BILE to the naked and Impractical eye.
Is it TO be thought that a journal with
which Bryan has been connected, in
which he now proclaims himself stock
holder, is being gathered into the folds
of gigantic railway monopoly? Such is
distressing possibility projected into a
situation that Bryan and his following
nave already found uncomfortable.
1t is supposed that Mr.. Bryan did not
realize that to ride on a railroad pass in
California is a privilege that many people
willingly foreeo, because such pass per-
haps implies willingness to serve the
Southern Pacific, and serving the South
ern Pacific is not regarded as the way to
serve ones country. For an unpretentious
citizen, who never made speech in his
life, who never shook frenZied fist at the
wicked corporations, 10 accept its hospi-
tally is a brand upon his fair name, If
any body finds it out. and at best load
upon his conscience. If after using pass
he ever dare proclaim his soul his own.
the Southern Pacific has tendency to
undeceive him by foreclosing . mortgage
on it. When it gives passes for actual ad-
vertising this is in some degree the case:
and when it gives them without apparent
equivalent, and because a man is stock
holder" in distant journal, the effect is
intensified. But when the man is Will
liam Jennings Bryan, public character.
the idol of considerable number of
people, the effect becomes intensified to
point actually bewildering and his wor-
shippers stand open mouthed, but not
dumb; no, not that.
If for Mr.. Bryan to ride on pass is
commendable, or at least nothing subject
TO adverse criticism, the friends of the
gentleman, even he himself. Will doubt
less take pleasure in satisfying a popular
curiosity for more particulars. For in
stance, people would like TO know if Mr.
Bryan always travels on passes; if when
his proud breast heaves with indig alton
at railroad aggression his pocket bulges
with complimentary tickets from the cor
poration she belabors. They would like to
know how Mr.. Bryan got his stock, how
long he has had it. and WHY, and the reIa-
ton of the stock to series of inexpensive
trips. They would like to know why the
Southern Pacific gives passes to paper
that does not print advertisements for it.
Also why the Bryanites are SO touchy on
a subject that they believe can't hurt the
upright, although laid bare to the gaze of
the universe.
Perhaps Mr.. Bryan may find time to
enlighten, and it might be we'll for him
to understand that the Examiner, while
perhaps fitted by experience to be an
authority on railroad contracts and mat
ters of like nature, is being forced ipto an
embarrassing position by his conduct,
and won't be a good organ on this &C.
casion. Speaking of contracts to the
Examiner is mentioning the gallows in the
house of the hanged, a breach of manners
most eprehensible and beyond forgive
ness