The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1897-01-28

''The only objection l wish here to
record il that the gold democrats sought
TO Use the party name for the purpose Of
| deception. The party name belongs to
the majority OF the. party and the
minority can not fairly, honestly or hon
orably use that name in such a way as
| 70 mislrad voters. | had at all times
defended the sovereign right of the citi-
! zen 10 follow his conscience and his judg-
mcnt in political matters and to make his
party affiliations conform TO his con-
science, but n fraud perpetrated OIL the
voters IL no more defensible than IL
fraud attempted by the business man.
II the independent convention had en-
dorscd the republican party we might
have found no fault with their action;
but no party has the right to nominate n
ticket with no intention Of voting for it
and hold public meetings for the os.
tcDsiblc purpose Of aiding il, but for the
secret purpose of helping another ticket.
This is in national affairs a new kind of
political warfare which, in my opinion,
history will condemn"
Regarding the sentence in AcKnley's
letter Of acceptance that 1--WE should open
the mills and not the mints,' Mr. Bryan
said:
did much toward turning the attention Of
campnign."
In concluding, he says:
Our country has much to fear, in my
opinion, from .he influence of corpora
lions. Their power Is extending 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 APP
pointing power that officers appointed to
enforce the law may be biased against
the law which is to b. enforced. II may
also happen that judges may be APP
pointed on experience acquired in corpo-
rate prnctice. / believe that the con
tinucd existence Of trusts Is largely due
10 the fact that many public officials,
without openly defending them, are at
heart friendly to them"
Regarding the civil service he says:
"Thc fact that the people make fire.
qucnt changes in their public officers in
executive offices is conclusive proof that
life tenure il not popular. II they de-
sired TO have their public servants hold
office for life, they would manifest that
desire by keeping executive officers in |
office permanently. AS long as the pub |
lie mind is as it is it will not be safe to
place public officials in 4 position where |
they are entirely independent OF those
whom they serve. The man who is per
mancntly provided for, no matter what
changes may take place in politics, is apt
tn become Indifferent to public questions
and be concerned only in the size and
continuance of his salary
One of the last chapters is given up
10 "thc election returns" and in this Mr..
Bryan says:
AS the evening progressed the midi
cations pointed more and more strongly !
to defca. and by II O'Clock | realized l
that while the returns from the country Il
might change the result, the success OF $
my opponent was more and more assured. Z
While the compasslcss current sped hither o
and thihcr, bearing its bank of gladncss q
to foe and its message OF sadness to II
friend. there arose to my vision Il pres p
idcnt in the White House, surrounded by ~
the cares of state. and that of Il citizen J.
seated at his fircside, freed from all re- y!
sponsibilitics and | fell asleep d
The book closes with the verses writ n
ten by Ella Wheeler Wilcox. u