The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1899-06-01
What Will Be the Issue in 1902
The Washington Post says

mhat Will BE the Issue IN l3Ou'
The Washington Post says:
"A Democratic organ which bears
the autographs endorsement Of Mr..
Bryan, an organ whose orthodoxy he
commends In an especial manner, de-
clares that, while the party must fight
the trusts in 1900, it must do so by
pointing out a specific remedy. 1t de-
clares that a national platform that
would make general charge against
the trusts and not offer such remedy
would be a dreadful fraud against the
people And this organ adds these
edifying sentences
The Democratic National Oonven
ton Of 1900 will commit no such blum
der Ii will point out the specific
remedy for trusts, viz
Bimetallism at the ratio az 1t ex'
listed prior 10 1873.
The abolition of national banks Of
issue
A modification Of the tariff 80 as TO
totally eliminate special privileges.
This is the platform Of 1895 over
again. There Will be no meaningless
campaign against trusts.
1.-THE ST. Louis Republic, the lead
ing Democratic paper in Missouri, has
been for q long time extremely shy of
rs to /, but has not recanted that faith
The Republic is an enthusiastic sup
porter of-or leader in-the antitrust
crusade. 1t says
The campaign against the trusts.
headed by the full strength Of the ma
tional Democratic organization, will
cease only when the trust evil has been
adequately checked and the safety Of
the people guaranteed. This is the
meaning Of the magnificent gathering
seen in the Coliseum last night, "A
meaning fully impressed up0n the
mind Of the country at large through
the addresses delivered by the leaders
of the Democratic party. The move
ment thus begun in so impressive a
manner will not flag from this time
forward. II is destined 90 the trium.
plant elimination of justified victory
in the name OF the people. "
1t also quotes Congressman Bank
head, Of Alabama, and Meyer, Of
Louisiana, as follows:
Speaking Of the Presidential cam
paign next year. Mr.. Bankhead said
that he did not believe the silver ques-
tion would be as prominent as 1t was
in 1896. although the Democrats would
still be committed to free coinage. He
thinks that the Democrats would be
wise to make an aggressive fight
against trusts, and cited an incident
which came to his attention on the
train travelled, he said, with a
drummer Of the Continental Tobacco
Company. who told me that $50 travel
ing statesmen had been laid off by wire
in one day. When | asked him the
reason, he said it was because his COM
pany had no further opposition in GER
tain lines Of tobacco, and could trans
act their business by circulars sent
through the mail lie told me that he
had been n Republican all his life, but
believing that the Republican party
was responsible for the huge combina-
tions that were being formed, he would
hereafter vote the Democratic ticket.
Mr.. Bankhead says that Bryan still
continues the fayorite among Alabama
Democrats, though he hears some talk
OF German.
- AFRAID BRYAN WILL BE RENOMI-
MATED.
81 am afraid Bryan will be renomi-
mated, said Representative Meyer, of
Louisiana Il say afraid because | am
doubtful whether he can lead the Dem
ocratic party to victory. l seriously
question whather he can even CONSOLE
date again the forces that were with
him in 1896 If we make silver the
prominent issue, we Will be handi.
capped to say the least.
my own judgment is that our
fight should be chiefly directed against
trusts. | know that in my own city
Of New Orleans the feeling against
these combinations is very bitter, and
has lately manifested itself in definite
form. We have had meeting Of the
largest and most conservative mer-
chants, who protest against the growth
Of trusts is based upon the injury done
to small dealers The men who partlcl-
pated in the movement are not politici-
ans. bat they see the danger that
threatens They know that they can
not rely upon the Republican party
to stamp out these combinations, and
the people realize the same thing, so
that the country will naturally look to
the Democrats TO make the fight.