Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-06-13
DOWN WITH TRUSTS
10 Be the Democratic Slogan
in the Next Campaign.
Democratic National Committeeman
Practically Solid on that Point.
Silver 10 lake Second Place and Maine Would
Entirely Drop It.

has been asking members of the ma
tlonal Democratic committee what
should be their parly's battle-cry in
| 1909, whether free silver" or down
with the trusts" or both. The answers
of those that have been received are
! published in the Times Herald, today.
as follows:
While only one Of the replies Of these
| Democratic leaders, the representative
| for Maine, the home state of Mr..
Bryan's running mate in 1886. says.
Drop free silver" they are all unani-
nous in giving the trust question a
| prominence it has never before had in
the platform of their own or other
| party. With one exception, all who
| speak freely suggest that other issues
Will divide the stage equally with free
silver. Some say ''militarsm." or i'm
| perialiSm" will be one Of the promi-
nent features. Others Ca few frankly
emphasize the trust question as the
big thing. Still others speak for twin
| battle-cry.
Just one committeeman says fatty:
The issues Of 1896 should be the issues
of 1900 This one exception is Alexan-
der Troup of Connecticut Half a dozen
of the committee are either non-com-
initial or refuse to be quoted. They are
George Fred Williams of Nassachu-
setts, ID. j. CampapA Michigan; Il. r.
Smalley, Vermont Frank Campbell
New York; T. D. QBrien, Minnesota;
| J. @. Dudley. Texas
| The committeeman who says free sill
Yer must have first place in the plat
form. although generously combined
with the question of trusts, militarism
and so on, are in Colorado. Kansas.
Nebraska. Arkansas. and Indian Terri
tory which latter does not vote for
President. All the others either put
the trust question first or lay much
stress upon issues produced by the
Spanish war.
The signed statements of the COM
mitteeman received by the Times Her
aid are in part as follows:
Alexander Troup. Connecticut-Per-
sonally | favor the Chicago platform
of 80 as the paramount issue in the
campaign Of 1900. The vote for Bryan
in Connecticut and New England. in
my opinion. will be largely increased in
1900 and the issue. instead of being be
tween international bimetallism and
independent bimetallism will be be
tween the single gold standard, as adj
vocated ~ the Republicans ana the
Chicago platform. 1t will be fight
to the finish.
DR.. Seth c. Gordon. Maine-Mr.
Bryan Will be our candidate and the
platform will not insist upon the 16 to
doctrine but will Dc q repetition Of
the bimetallic plank Of 1882. This ought
to suit the extreme silver men and will
do much toward overcoming the pre-
JUDGES of many Of the Eastern men
who are opposed to the Chicago plat
form. The national convention should
take a strong stand against trusts.
True l.. Norris, New HampShire-The
watchWord of the Democratic party in
the next campaign should be down
with The trusts For the present oil
other issues should be submitted to this
one which is Of paramount necessity
to the prosperity, nay, to the life and
freedom of this country. | am not in
favor of regulating the Chicago plat
form of the last campaign, but | do
not believe the silver question should
he or deserves to be placed in the fore
front of subjects at issue The Demo-
cratic party should not declare itself
in favor Of expansion" William j.
Bryan will be renominated.
Richard r. Comstock. Rhode Island
The financial question is still very con-
spiciOus and is very likely to remain so
with Mr. Bryan as a possible nominee
in 1900. one of the results of the for
eign war was the imperialist policy
and this may become a great. if not
the leading factor, in the national
campaign of next year. Down with
the trusts" may also be a leading fea-
ture in 1900.