The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-03-21
WEDNESDAY, MARCH q.
Mr.. Rryan,s Platform.

~ - 49, , q
The national campaign of 1900 has
been opened. We all know that Mr..
Bryan will be the candidate OF the mob
Of ants who pass under the name Of
Democrats, but whose bone OF union Is
the desire &c put the Republicans out Of
power and share the Offices among
themselves. The Nebraska platform
tells us several months in advance of
the national convention the ground of
its appeal to the people. This was adopt
ed by the convention OF Mr.. Bryan's
own state. 1t was submitted to and ap-
proved by hira. In as far as he did not
actually write II, before IL was accepted.
1t nay be taken as practically the dec
laration of principles which the dele
gates at Kansas City will approve. II
Is therefore a fair standard by which to
judge the aims OF the opposition to
Republican policy.
We do not think that Republicans
could desire anything better thar this
platform offers as fighting ground. 1t Is
difuse and wobbling, like everything
that acknowledges Mr.. Bryan for It's
author II lacks everywhere In definite
ness and precision. II crlticises practl-
cal measures, but offers only ~generaii-
ties In their stead. And In one Instance
In which 1t sub-,its a positive plan Of
action II Is not only unwise and imprac-
ticabls, but 1t exposes such ignorance of
the great policy known us the Monroe
doctrine hat every citizen must won
der that no friend OF Mr.. Bryan stepped
In to save him from making himself
ridiculous.
The hrst article Is a specific indorse-
ment OF the Chicago platform. The con-
vention had at least learned wisdom
enough not to repeat the anarchy clause
or the attack upon the supreme court.
They are not In the words OF the plat
form, but are carried by fair implica-
ton. The Chicago document Is Endorsed
In whole and In part; so that the rev.
stationary doctrines which startled the
country i'm 1896 are once more avowed.
With this we may Join some minor nro.
visions added to attract various classes
Of voters. The Endorsement OF mpnl-
olpal ownership and the initiative ana
referendum Is a part of the bill OF sale
% Democracy 10 Populism. So "a the
income tax recommendation. Tackled to
the tail ~ the whole thing Is a resolu-
lion OF sympathy with the Beers No
more paltry attempt 70 auction on a
party for votes. wherever and however
purchased, was ever seen in this
try.
We come now 20 the three main sub
iects which Mr. Bryan has declared viii
enter into this campaign 70 the exclu-
sion ~ nil others. on anance. every
Republican win glve thanks that he
does not back water In addition 20 tho
socertNnce % the Chlcaxo platform
there Is a specific pledge % the PARTY 10
free coinage ~ the ra,ln % "a e. /. one
step further. indeed IL takcn In the lire
" true P0pulist policy. u Is recon-
mended that national hank notes b. re-
tired. ard Evesahaokp issued 20 take
their place This appeM Tor an inAa-
sion ef rat paper moaey " an advance
even apon the position ~ four years
ago smnd money thus becomes an
issue " the coming campaign. ana q, g.
made more han ever Impossible ter n
believer IN an hnnaEt currency 20 sup
port the candidate % the so-fansa ne
mOeracy
The poer old tariff question h. showed
into the background again The ploz-
Icy at Is denounced, but NOT one
word Is rata about free trade or tarlY
FOR revenue only. The party IS commit-
ted aEslpsi the present ,aria bat neil
Their p~rsnlses indicates any surst-
sute. There IL the usual defamation
against the trust hat there - nothing
In the MAY Of practical suggestion eN-
cent a recomuendation that congress
require all corporations before engar
ing IN interstate commerce. o. show
tina, their stock Is not waterCd and ID
guarantee TIA they AVE not attempt a
and VIII not attempt a. monopollEe
trade. Inasmnch as every corporation an
The country would. hcyend a donlt G.
cheerfiFly make such an assertion, e
does not appear wherein any trust