The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-10-13
ANSWERS BRYAN;
ASKSEXPL ANIATI0N.
Assistant Secretary of War Wants
Some Matters in Democratic Plat
form Cleared Up for Him.
lEr Associated Press.l

CHICAGO. October 1a.-f1on. George d.
Meiklejoln. Assistant Secretary OF War,
has mailed the following letter to Hon
W. j. Bryan, which the latter viii re-
ceiye to-day:
Chicago Ills. october II, 1900.
Dear Sir.-in your communication TO me
of the 10Th inst You refer to the fact that
the Republican party adheres to its doctrine
that the Constitution cannot be extended
TO new territory acquired by the treaty
making power of our Government, nor by
the military commanders Of our armies.
You then declare that. therefore, the Presl-
dent was not obliged to refuse his approval
10 that portion of the Sulu agreement
which permitted the temporary contin-
uance of alleged slavery in the Sulu
Islands
The Point to which l called your atten-
ton in my communication was that the
President did refuse his approval and.
therefore. The portion of the agreement is
not existing / am sratified that you direct
attention to the fact that the present adj
ministration does not require the force of
constitutional provision to prompt it to
recognize the rights of men.
Permit me. however. to call your atten-
ton to the concluding words of the amend
nlent to the Constitution to WHICH you
refer:
4. Neither slavery nor Involuntary servi-
tude shall exist within the United States,
or any place subject to their jurisdiction
..NhiIe amendments TO the Constitution
are under consideration. will you give an
explanation Of the discrepancy between
your platform this year and the one on
which Tilden made his canvass. Your
platform declares:
I've, the representatives of the Demo-
cratic party of the United States. assem-
bled in national convention on the ami
versary of the adoption Of the Declaration
of Independence, do reaffirm our faith in
that immortal proclamation of the in.
alienable rights of man and our allegiance
to the Constitution framed in harmony
Herewith by the fathers of the republic
LAS framed by the fathers of the re-
public the Constitution recognized
slavery and provided that a slave escap-
ing into free State did not become free
and must be returned to his owner
Article ". section g clause 3. The Con-
stitution as framed 10y the fathers did
not contain the guarantees for the rights
of our colored citizens, provided by the
l4tt and 18th amendments.
1.-The Tilden platform declared as fol-
lows:
/" For the Democracy of the whole
country we do hereby affirm our faith in
the permanence OF the Federal Union,
our devotion TO the Constitution Of the
United States with its amendments,
universally accepted as 2 final settlement
of the controversies that engendered
civil war, and do here record our stead
fast confidence in the perpetuity of
Republican self-government.
Why does your platform refuse adj
herence TO the amendments TO the Consti-
tuition?
in view of your present contention,
might I beg to request an explanation of
Mi. 10
form of 1896. on admission OF territories.
which reads:
We recommend that the Territory of
Alaska b. granted a delagate in Con-
ress. and that the general land and tim
Der laws of the United States be extended
to said Territory
Very respectfully.
(Signed) Sc D. MEIKLEJOHN,
Hon. w j. Bryan, Cleveland, Ohio"