The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-01-24
HARMONIOUS.
The Great Nebraska Leader
Unites Democrats.
Bryan Brings His Followers In
Congress Together.
EXPANSION = TRUSTS.
Southern and Eastern Members
to Act as a Unit.
Expansion Views Defined By
Senator Bacon.

Washington, Jan. 24-Col. Bryan's
visit to Washington last week resulted
in an agreement among the Democratic
leaders of the senate and house of rep
resentatives to advocate hereafter
harmonious and uniform policy upon at
least two important issues-expansion
and trusts. There has been a very wide
divergence of sentiment in that party
upon the first proposition, and some of
the most ardent of expanSiOniStS are
found in its ranks. That is particular
ly true in the south, and there has been
a great deal of anxiety among the lead
ers for that reason. There were earn
est arguments from several points of
view at the conference held at the cap
itol last Friday, and the published re-
ports of a row between Mr.. Bryan and
some of his senatorial supporters had a
little bit of foundation. but everybody
was anxious to devise a policy that
would be satisfactory to all concerned
and construct q. platform upon which
both the Democratic expanSioniStS and
the 'antis" could stand, particularly
the editors of influential papers in the
south who have been advocating ex-
pansion doctrines. Finally, after a
heated discussion and reluctant yielding
upon the part of several prominent men
they got together" so to speak, and
the national convention. 1t does not
differ materially from that defined in
the resolution offered by Senator Bacon
of Georgia last December, and may be
summed up as follows:
l. The suppression of the insurrection
in the Philippine islands.
2. The establishment of a republican
form of government there as soon as
the insurrection is suppressed.
3. The withdrawal of the army as
soon as such government is in opera
ton.
4. The REIMBURSEMENT of the SOW
ereignty of the United States, but the
exercise of protectorate over the ISL
ands in order to prevent foreign inter-
ference.
8. The issue of 5000, 900 in bonds of
the Philippine republic to reimburse the
United States for the indemnity paid to
Spain.
The solution of the trust problem was
less difficult, and Mr.. Bryan's plan was
generally approved. He proposes that
the Jurisdiction of the federal govern
ment be extended over all corporations
that have interests in more than one
state, and are therefore engaged in in
terstate commerce in the constitutional
meaning of that phrase, and the pas
sage Of law requiring them to take
out licenses, for which they must pay 4
reasonable tax to the commissioner of
internal revenue At stated periods all
such corporations shall be required to
publish statements of their financial
condition and transactions, similar to
those made by the national banks, and
their books shall be always open to ex-
animation by special agents of the in
ternal revenue bureau. who shall have
power and duties similar to those of
national bank examiners.
This proposition is not materially diff
ferent from that which the Industrial
commission is expected to recommend
in its report to congress, except that
that body will recommend that the
trusts be placed under the jurisdiction
of the interstate commerce commission
instead of the internal revenue bureau