The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-09-18
Presidential Candidate Reiterates the
Promises Made Four Years Ago,
WHAT DEMOCRACY STANDS FOR
In His Formal Letterof Acceptance
Bryan Devotes Much Atten-
ton to Trusts-The FL
nanciai Plank and
the Labor
Question.

(By Associated Press.>
CHICAGO, September 17.-The letter of
Hon. ". ]. Bryan accepting the Demo-
cratic nomination for Presidency was
given out to-day. The letter is addressed
to Hon. James D. Richardson, Chairman,
and others of the Notification Committee
of the Democratic National Convention.
and says:
Il am sensible of the responsibilities
which rest upon the Chief Magistrate of
SO great a nation, and realize the far
reaching effect Of the questions involved
in the present contest
SIN my letter of acceptance of 1896
made the following pledge.
So deeply am l impressed with the
magnitude Of the power vested by the
Constitution in the Chief Executive of the
nation and with the enormous influence
which he can yeid for the benefit or in
jury of the people, that I wish to enter
the office, il elected free from any per
sonai desire. except the desire to prove
worthy of the confidence of my country
men. Human judgment is fallible enough
when unbiased by selfish considerations,
and, in order that I may not be tempt
ed to use the patronage of the Office to
advance any personal ambition. L hereby
announce, with all the emphasis which
| words may express, my fixed determine
ton not. under any circumstances. to be
a candidate for reelection in case this
campaign results in my election
Further reflection and observation can
strain me to renew this pledge.
1.-The platform adopted at Kansas City
commands my cordial and unqualified ap-
provaI. 1t coura geously meets the issues
now before the country. and states clear
ly and without ambiguity the party's po-
| siton on every question considered.
AS TO TRUSTS.
| Mr.. BRYAN states that in his notifica-
| ton speech he discussed somewhat at.
length the paramount issue, Imperialism,
and added some observations on mill
| tarism and the Boer war. It is sufficient
| at this time to review the remaining
planks of the platform. Says he:
''The platform properly gives prominence
| to the trust question. The appalling
| outgrowth of combinations in restraint
| of trade during the present administra-
| ton proves conclusively that the Repub-
| lican party lacks either. the desire or the
ability to deal with the question effective
| ly. II. as may be fairly assumed from the
speeches and conduct of the Republican
! leaders. that party does not intend to
| take the peoples side against these
| organizations. then the weak and uuai-
| fed condemnation of trusts to be found
i in the Republican platform is designed to
| district while industrial despotism is
| completing its work. A private monoDoly
! has always been an outlaw. Our platform
! after suggesting certain specific remedies.
| Dledges the party to an unceasfng war
! fare against private monopoly in nation.
! State and city. I heartily approve of this
promise: If elected. it shall be my earnest
and constant endeavor to fulfil the promise
| in letter and spirit, The Democratic party
makes no war upon honestly acquired
wealth: neither does it seek to en1barIass
| corporations engaged in legitimate busi-
! ness. but it does protest AGAINST cornora-5
! tions entering politics and attempting TO
assume control of the nstrumentalitles
! OF government a CORPORATION Is not or
sanzed for political PURPOSES, ana shouio
| be compelled to confine itself to the pus'-
| ness described in its charter,
FINANCIAL PLANK.
e.1'ile platform" says Mr.. Bryan, re
| ;terates tire demand contained in the
| Chicago platform for an American imam
| c:al system made by the American people
| for themselves. The purpose OF sueh
system is to restore and maintain oi-
| metallic level OF pr:ces. and in order that
there NAV be no uncertainty as to the
| method OF restoring bimetalsm. the spe-
cfic declaration in favor of free and un-
limited COMA ge at the existing ratio of
is to 1. Independent Of the acton of other
nations, is repeated.
1.-THE Democratic platform, says Mr.
Bryan sis also favorable to the election
Of United States Senators by direct
vote c. the. people and indorses the prin-
ciple Of direct legislation. Mr. Bryan
saws that ..the abolition of government
by injunction. is as necessary for the pro-
lection of the reputation of the court as
it is for the security Of the citizen
The platform renews the demand for ar
bitra tlcn between corporations and their
employees The establishment OF a-btra-
ton will insure friendly relations between
labor and capital, and render obsolete
the growing practice of calling in the army
TO settle labor troubles.
..I cannot too strongly emphasize
| fha importance of the platform recom-
| naen5at:on of the establishment of de-
nar,nent of labor, with member of the
Cabinet at its head.
| THE Chinese exclusion act and similar
measures, together with their strict ems
| forcement are favored by Mr. Bryan. and
| he also favors a liberal policy regarding
pensions.
..The Democratic party. says Mr.. Bryan.
..fayors the .mmediat teS Sconstruc ton, own
ership and control of the sNicaraguan Canal
! BIZ the United States He also claims
that Arizona. New Mexico and Oklahoma
should be admitted to Statehood Cuba
and Porto Rico should be given home-rule
| ind representation in Congress. and Cuba
her Independence: He also favors a sys-
tematic efforts to reclaim the arid lands.
| FOREIGN ALLIANCES.
! Regarding foreign alliances, Mr. Bryan
says
Enropean nations and share in their
iealo1stes and amhl tions wi tthout losing the
fS1.a nj syes wffc our iOca tinns
orr character ant. o,r institutions give US
in the world 5 affair
..rhe doctrine enunesateG by Monroe.
sana anproved by succeeding presidents,