The news & observer., 1897-01-26

vention endorsed the Republican ticket.
we might have found fault with the views
of the gold Democrats, but their methods
would not have been open to attacks.
ITO nominate a ticket, however, with
out the intention of voting for it, and to
hold public meetings for the ostensible
purpose Of aiding the ticket, but for the
secret purpose of aiding a ticket which
was not openly advanced, introduces into
National affairs a new kind of warfare
which, IN my judgment, history must
condemn"
As to the statement in Mr.. McKinley's
letter of acceptance that 'The mills
should be opened instead of the minst,"
Mr.. Bryan says:
This was an epigrammatic sentence
and did considerable service in turning
public attention from the money question
to the tariff question"
he says this about the trusts:
"Our country has, in my judgment,
much to fear from the political influence
exerted by large corporations. The busi-
ness Of the country is falling more and
more into the hands of corporations, and
since lawyer receives both
his reputation and his expert
ence from his practice the
attorneys for the great corporations come
to be considered the leading attorneys at
their respective bars. In appointments
to public office corporation attorneys
have not only the advantage which their
professional prominence gives them, but
they also have the advantage of friendly
relations with the prominent officials of
other corporations. Thus it may happen.
without the intention Of the appointing
power, land it may happen more easily
with the intention of the appointing
power), that officials appointed to enforce
the law viii be biased against the law
which is to be enforced 1t may even
happen that judges upon the bench will
retain after appointment the bias acouir-
ed in corporation practice Public Of
ficials, whether executive, legislative or
judicial, are but human beings, and in
making, interpreting and executing the
law may be unquestionably influenced by
preconceived opinions or present associa-
ton. / believe that the continued exist
ence OF the trusts are largely due to the
fact that many public officials without
openly defending it are at heart friendly
to it,
Regarding the civil service he said: II
do not believe that life tenure is, as A
rule, wise thing in a government like
ours. The fact that people make fre-
quent changes III their public officials
IN case of elective offices is conclusive
proof that life tenure is not popular. If
they desired to have their public servants
hold office for life, they would
manifest that desire by keeping
elective officials in office perma.
nently. As long as human nature re-
mains as it is, it will not be safe to place
public officials in a position where they
are entirely independent Of those whom
they serve The man who is permanent
" provided for, no matter what changes
may take place in politics, is apt to be-
come Indifferent to public questions, and
be concerned only in the size and con
tinuance of his salary"
One of the last chapters is given up to
THE election returns" and in this, Mr..
Bryan says:
AS the evening progressed, the indica-
tions pointed more and more strongly to
defeat, and by IL o'clock | realized that.
while the returns from the country might
change the result, the success of my oppo-
nent was more than probable. Conf
dence resolved itself into doubt, and doubt
in turn gave place to resignation. While
the compassionless current sped hither
and thither, carrying its message Of
gladness to foe and its message of sad
ness to friend, there vanished from my
mind the vision of President in the
White House perplexed by the cares of
State and in contemplation of the pic
ture of a citizen by his fireside, free from
official responsibility, / fell asleep.
The beck ends with a poem entitled,
AN Inspiration by Ella Wheeler Will
cox.