The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-09-28
CHICAGO PLATFORM.
And Its support In Municipal Politics
Treated by Mr.. BRYAN.

new foSk' Sept 2S-Typewritten con.
les OF the letter alleged to have baen
written by w. Jennings BRYAN ON tbo
oiea.er New York campaign are being
circulated among the local free silver
democrats The letter is said 10 have
'een brought to Colonel William
Brown and it is claimed Mr.. Brown
placed~he matter before John G. Shoe.
nan leader of Tammany Hall. The
letter is as follows:
triumph OF the Democracy Of
"reatef New York, except under the
auspices of tho issue that animates the
party VIII have the same moral effect
as renewed and affirmed triumph of
the agencies led by Senator Hanna.
When parties cease to represent certain
hxed principles, the supreme prerogaiive
OF the ballot becomes prostituted to a
contest between organizations for the
spolis OF Office ami the enjoyment Of
success. To this prostitution of the
ballot may be ascrihed every chapter
oil shame and corruption in the history of
American municipal government II ia
better 10 have "a government by the Re-
publican party responsibility TO it's dec
iarauons, than government by Demo
cratic partisans without responsibility
TO Democratic principles.
MANY persons confound opposition
with principle. mere partisan Dem
ocratic opposition TO the candidates of
the Republican party cannot be dignifisd d
with the time -honored banner of .Jt fer
son and Tilden. one Of the most fas-
cinating fallaclcs OF the day is the claim
tEat opposition to the administrator
ot Office by partians ia a principle. So
called ron-partisan goVegnment is not
a principle, and should Il he accented
1t would eliminate polital parties from
municipal aH7'rr md invite reasonles,
contests Government might as wei
be decided by the future Of rival color.
on the football field The pemocratic
party is the enemy Of this fallacy.
do not, therefore. subscribe in any way
TO the theory that good city government
is To bo found without party. If the
dream Of non-partisan government be-
comes reality then would arise con-
dition OF contests for rower between
citizens unions and peoples unions. each
claiming to be the only purveyors OF |
purity I'm government.
Inv ii'I'fltlpn 10 govern Greater |
New York through an organization /
known oS the Citizens union IS cnp of |
the most vicious heresies that assau |
cur political progress. and tho more |
dangerous because OF its alluring spon- |
sorhip. Government by The /. mo- |
cratic party or the Republican partv |
without adherence to issues. ana Gov /
of .hc Citi2cna ur on. instead ~
a government by thc people. becomes
government by an organization.
would consider n calamity n N,ou
York begins ite Grratcr career without
the auspIccs of political principle ana
responsibility.
The Democratic party is the marty e
home rule, but home rule does not moan
responsibility % The nation at LARGO
The great cities are part OF the state ana
country; they are the Cranarley. treos.
urios. clearing houses and cpplta,s -
culture and science; they ara cr. otrd
not Of themselves. but NJ the whole
peoples toll and proEr ss. therefore. n
7 unnatural and artificial to avoid r,-
'ponsibility 10 national issues. and no.
ltical cowardicc and political CRIME.
Greater New York wiz De fha un-
crowned capital Of America. Tha u M
'crats NJ New York have "a r.. spovs .b.itv
not only 20 themselves ard IN. ,.,.7tsr
'iiy. hut 10 their party ard ite itv.nv
and the nation Thl- election
g the most important and influential DO.
itical event between 1896 and 1900