The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1901-09-05
Con1n1oner Comment
Extracts From W. J. Bryan's Paper

go 10 mO 20 40 about them; the
Courler-J ournal does not know vl,eth- &
er it is afraid or not, and the Chronicle n
isn't worried at all, Int ' al1 thrsa 81
represent and malign those Who are ii 81
earnest in their efforts to DESTROY pri-:
yate monopoly
The papers above mentioned films
trate the confusion, conflict and nn-
certainty that prevail among those who
oppose ohe Kansas City platform. Ifa
convention Were called of the daily pa
Pers winch want to repudiate the KAN
sas City platform, and their editors
were required to submit a new Mat
form satisfactory to all Of them, they
would adjourn sine die before they
agreed upon single important plank.
Ihey represent all shades of opinion
on every question and are harmonious
about nothing except their contempt
for the patriotism and intelligence of
the more than six million voters who
IN spite OF corruption and coercion sup
ported the party in two national cam
paigns. The Kansas City platform is
a positive, clear and emphatic applica-
ton OF democratic principles to pres
ent conditions. When person stands
upon that platform and gives to it his
unqualified endorsement, the people
know what to expect of him.
The opponents of that platform,
however, quarrel and contend over
every proposition submitted. Some
want the party to boldly declare for
the gold standard; others favor
a cowardly evasion of the whole ques-
ton. Some want the party to declare
openly in favor OF banks of issue; 9th.
ers want the party to keep still on the
question in its platform, but to lend
the party's influence after election to
the retirement of the greenbaclzs.
Some want the party to continue the
fight against Imperialism; some want
the party to quit opposing Imperialism
and aoquiesce in it without endorsing
it, while Others think that the party
should have the courage to commend
think that all trusts are bad; some
think that part of the trusts are good
and part of them bad, and still 9th.
ers believe that the trust is an econom-
ic development that is entirely benefi-
cent in its operations
The difference of opinion which man
ifests itself in the discussion of the
larger questions is no less conspicuous
in the discussion of minor questions.
Because they can agree upon no plat
form the reorganizers content them;
selves with criticising democratic prin.
ciples and republican individuals.
Is it strange that the democratic
party has made slow progress when it
is remembered that for five years the
leading dailies, which claim to be dem
ocratic, have given more assistance to
the opposition than to their own party
Between, Aanpaigns they have beer
condemning the platform of the party
and discrediting those who endorsed
the platform; it is impossible for such
papers TO repair during the campaign
the da1hage which they do between
pers; sc for the mos part re-
manned loyal, the democratic voters
would have had little opportunity to
read democratic literature. The re-
on the contrary, have all
their daily papers, all their weekly pa
pers, and a considerabl portion of the
so-called democratic dailies continu-
ously explaining and in whole or in
part defending the course of the ad.
ministration. The only wonder is
that the rank and file of the party
should have shown itself as steadfast
as it has. If those who call themselves
democrats will defend the democratic
platform for the next three years we
can win in 1904; but it is difficult to
win when numerically small but f.
nancially influential portion of the
party is constantly compromising with
the republicans.
The esteemed Chicago Chronicle
seems fond of telling how fusion has
ldl1co III NeDEdShd. Lieu 3 see dDOul
that. Fusion rescued the state from
republican control after thirty years
of fruitless effort on the part of dem.
ocracy. 1t retired a republican senate,
after the state had been the victim Of
unbroken republican senatorial repre-
sentation for more than a quarter Of 8
century. 1t reduced the republican
representation in the lower house from
three to two and added four to the op
position. 1t uncovered $500, 900 Of Il
nancial rottenness in the states finan-
ces and saved thousands of dollars tx
the permanent school fund. It cleared
the political atmosphere in Nebraska
and had democratic newspapers like
the Chronicle worked as hard for thu
success of democratic principles as TIL,
democrats of Nebraska did, the pres
ent day rule of trusts and monopolie,
would not be in existence, the faf
would not be dishonored abroad, TIL,
constitution would not be a literar,
collander, and the principles of tn,
Declaration of Independence woul,
yet be in full force and effect.
Doubtless the Cop. leaders referre,
to the full dinner pals of the gentle
men who control the output of steel.
Five men may meet secretly and la
MANS tn nr,1ch On