The Van Buren press., 1901-02-16
Bryan Tells What England's Monarch
Might DO.

Under the heading, "A Royal Oppo-
tunity,' W. j. Bryan suggests in his
"Commoner' reforms which the new
King of England might put into effect.
Mr.. Bryan says
Edward VII, King Of Great Brit.
ain and Ireland and Emperor of India is
now the supreme ruler over more than
$50, 900 900 of people. AS such he has
opportunities which come to but few
persons in a generation and his respon-
sibilities are commensurate with his
opportunities,
1T il too much to expect that one
who was born heir to throne and who
WAS reared 10 an atmosphere of royalty
will regard the people rs the source Of
power. Neither can one who relies
upon Inheritance for his own social and
official standing be reasonably asked to
disregard the claims of birth and wealth
and distribute favors according to
merit. but there is much he could do
without surrendering his belief in the
monarchical principle or disturbing the
aristocracy,
He could announce his willingness to
join parliament in extending to the
people of Ireland the same rights and
privileges now enjoyed by his English
subjects, and he could express desire
for the termination of the war In South
Africa. in which Engishmen are being
sacrificed and Beers slaughtered In
order to raise the British flag over Il
few gold mines.
but even if he is not disposed TO
espouse the cause of those who desire
enlarged political rights there is still II
sphere in which he could employ his
energies to advantage. Having all the
wealth that he can use and all the
official honor that he can covet, It ~
within his power to win the hearts of
his subjects and give them y substantial
reason for their loyalty by proving his
personal interest in their welfare.
Great problems press for consideration,
and he might exert powerful influence
In their correct solution.
IF he will devote his time TO study.
ing the needs Of the people rather than
to the pleasure and dissipation Of court ;
II he will visit the crowded tenement
houses and workshops Of the great cities
and devise some means for their better.
ment; II he will acquaint himself with
the condition Of agricultural labor and
use his influence to keep the farm land
from being swallowed up by vast hunt
ing estates; II he will investigate the
monopolization Of industry and prevent
the destruction of the independent
merchant and manufacturer II he will
see that the laws are enforced against
those who plumber by wholesale, as
well az against those who do wrong on
small scale-if, In other words, he
will show that he Ia wi ling to live fol
those who In, any emergency would bt
willing to die for him, he will add homo,
10 the crown rather than receive dis
tinction from u, -
In another article Mr., Bryan says
Mayor Van Wyck, Of New York, 4
being criticised because he failed Il
order the flag lowered to half-mast OF
the city hall on the occasion OF Queer
Victoria q death. Mayor Van Wyck
defense ia that II has not been the Gus
tom 10 lower the flag on such occasions
lie points out that the flag was no
lowered on the occasion OF the death o
General Joubert, OF the South African
Republic, Whether the flag on a pub
lie building shall be lowered In tribut
to men OF other nations Ia not n seriou
question. But Mayor Van Wyck pre-
sents complete defense when he cite
the failure to pay this tribute to Jouber
M precedent for the failure In the cas-
OF Queen Victoria,
This may yet become m interesting
question, II Paul Kruger, the oil,
Roman OF the South African Republic
should die there would DO n very genera
demand that the flag DO lowered 1,
tribute TO his memory, Nor Is II to b
doubted that there would be vigorou
opposition, There are some people Il
this community who are more anxiou
to pay tribute to monarchs than to re
cognize the merits of free men
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