The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1903-03-25
REORGANIZATION
TALK IS SILLY
Senator Stone Says Democratic
Party is All Right
MUST COMMAND CONFIDENCE
He Does Not Think Mr.. Bryan VIII BE
Nominated, But Says Any Attempt
to Eliminate Him Viii Meet
With Failure.
BY wArTERsoN sTEALEY.

Washington. March 4.-(Speclal.) l.)-sen-
ator William J. Stone of Missouri before
leaving the city today talked freely with
your correspondent regarding the future
outlook Of the democratic party.
Senator Stone is vice chairman Of the
democratic national committee and Is
often spoken of as the next chairman to
succeed James K. Jones.
Talk of reorganizing the democratic
party is puerile and silly" said Senator
Stone. Some men need reorganizlng but
the party does not. There must be dis
organization before there can be reorgan-
ization."
In regard to platoon for next year
Senator Stone said he distinguished be-
tween principle and policy
ITO illustrate" he said, it Is for con-
gress to determine what our standard of
value should be- what amount Of gold
and silver may be coined, etc. Primarily
such question does not involve what
call a principle, but are questions Of pub
lie policy. On the other hand there are
certain great principles of the demo-
cratic party such as the principle of rep
resentative government, personal liberty,
wise the abandonment or modification of
declared policy which he deems un-
wise, but so long as platform declara-
tion remains unchanged it Is binding.
Party Must Be Constructive.
Our party must be dstinctlvely con-
structive force. We must propose things
TO be done; great things that challenge
attention, things that promise good to
the country. and an increase of national
power and prestige. We must command
the confidence of the great world of busl-
ness and enterprise. This is a CONNER
| cial age--too much So no doubt, but ii
is fact Growth progress is what the
world is striving after. We must keep
In touch with the spirit of the age, so
that we may the better direct the course
of events on lines as nearly right as pos
| sible. This is no time for a slow coach
| What we shall put in our platform or
| leave out what policies we should at
tempt as a great constructive party to
develop, are things for thinking men to
think about. We must move TO the
front"
What about the ticket for 1904?"
II do not care to discuss individuals.
No, | do not think Mr.. Bryan will be
nominated nor do l think that he either
expects or desires the nomination. II any
effort Is being made to eliminate him IL
will fail, for he is still undoubtedly tho
most commanding individual force in the
party. He cannot be eliminated and
any effort in that direction will reeoll
on those attempting 1t. The business of
eliminating people from the party is
not the business l want democrats to en-
gage in. 1t would be more profitable to
get men into instead of getting them out
of the party.
Plenty of Able Men.
I'VE have plenty Of able men who
would make safe. conservative Presidents
and govern well, although they might
noe indulge in such erratic strenuosities
as would keep the country on the tiptoe
OF some dread expectancy.
"On this subject of men make but
one remark, and that is that a democratic
candidate for President must be a demo-
crat who has always supported his party
ticket; he must be a party man who IL
elected would give us a stalwart demo-
cratic administration. That is the only
test of eligibility for the nomination I
would apply II is not necessary that a
man should have subscribed uncondl-
tionally to every declaration OF the Chi
cago and Kansas City platforms mans
opinions at any and all times should be
taken into account when the question of
his nomination is considered for his
opinions concern his availability as
candidate and his standing as a party
representative.
But il will not do to draw the linz
against any loyal party man simply be.
cause he did not concur In some declara.
tion of platform. II Is sufficient IL hs
has always stood Loyalty by his party
flag"