Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1900-11-30
As BRYAN VIEWS |I
The Erstwhile Presidential Candi.
date Writes About the Out.
come Of the Election.
Discusses the Campaign and the
Arguments That Won Most
Votes.
Prosperity Was the Best Vote Get.
ter for Republicans Other
News

New York, Nov. 30.-William Jen-5
nings Bryan DISCUSSES the recent presl-
dental election in lengthy article in
the current Issue Of the North Ameri-
can Review. considering especially the
result, its causes and its influences upon
the future. He says:
The republicans had a great advan-
tage in having a large campaign fund.
The republicans were also able to secure
transportation for all republican voters
who were away from home. 1t 10 im-
possible at this time to calculate the ef-
feet Of colonization or the extent to
which votes were purcha sed by tsie d..
rect payment OF money or by employ
ment for political work. There are in-
stances where az much as $500 We're Of
fered to one man for his political serv-
ice for a few days.
The republicans had another advan-
tage, the influence Of which 1t is difficult
to estimate. viz: The advantage which
accruea to an administration while a
war is in progress.
The most potent argument, however.
used by the republicans in the late cam
paign was the argument which COM
pared present conditions with those
which existed from 1898 to 1886. To the
laboring man the republican party
would say: Remember how many were
idle during the Last administration. Do
you want to risk areturn to hard times?'
The prosperity argument Influenced
many farmers.
No time need be wasted in the con-
demnation of the illegitimate use of
money. But it is worth while to con-
slider why such large campaign funds
are now used by the republicans and
how such funds are collected. together
with the remedy to be employed for the
protection of the public against the i'm
proper use of money in the elections.
The magnitude of the fund which can
be collected depends upon the interest
which the great corporations feel In the
result and upon the rnminence of the
danger to the privileges which they are
enjoying. Prior to 1896 the money ele-
mert OF the country wae divided be-
tween the two leading parties, but even
then the republican party had cons!d-
I5erable majority among the bankers,
railroad magnates and manufacturers.
Since 1896 the consolidation of wealth
! has gone on With a rapidly never before
known"
Mr.. Bryan gives a list OF a few CT the
large combinations which have been
formed within the last four years and
comments as follows:
All of these trusts and many others
had pecuEiars reason for supporting
the republican ticket. for they not only
have enjoyed immunity during the
/ present administration, but they have
i every reason to expect further inlmun-
! lily in case of republican success, while
4 the democratic platform and the Demo
cratic organization We're outspoken in
4 their condemnation of private monopo-
lies and the candidates We're pledged tc
4 aggressive measures for the exterinina-
tion of all combinations formed, in re-
4 straint OF trade.
Is there any remedy for the i'm:
i proper use of money in elections? Yes
There is remedy-a statute making Il
a a penal offense for any officer of cor
A poration to contribute corporation
4 funds to q campaign fund, limiting tn,
amount that can be legally expend e.
4 by candidates or committees and com
4 polling the publication OF the name
a of the contributors TO campaign funds
together with the amounts contributed
The most surprising feature of tn
campaign was the indifference mani
Tested by many republicans to the AT
tack on governmental principles here
q tofore regarded as sacred. The part
in power is clearly committed, to col
!: onial policy so repugnan1 to our his
tory, our traditions and our. politica
maxims that there was no substantial
effort made by republican leaders i
defend the party,s position.
: Where a defence was attempted TIL
! gist Of At was about as follows: we da
not want the Philippine islands; the
i came to us by accident. but now ina
4 we have them we cannot ilonorably lie
t them go; besides, it looks as il ii. wa
: Gods work, and then, too there
money in It,
!, There remains for consideration tn
! third, and as / believe. the most infi,l
r entail cause of the republican victory
: viz. the fear If a change. The fear of
( change Is merely political expressio
of a conservatism which, to create
or less extent. exists in every person
This fear was Increased by the FAC
n that the country for the last few ye.lr
o has been experiencing reaction fro.
: the panic which occurred under til
9 Hast administration, and this fear wa