The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1904-07-26
PARKER
He Thinks the Election OF Judge a
ke- Would be n Good Beginning
MI. Bryan Favors State Ownership
OF Railroads. Government Contr
OF TeIegraphs and Abolishment OF
Private Nonopoly-He Also De-
clares for the Income Tax and Exec
ton of Federal Judges by the Peo-
pie.

Lincoln, Neb., July 2l.-W. j. Bryan's
plan for the reformation OF the emo
racy was given publicity today. In X
Mr.. Bryan favors radical changes, Uut
advocates the election OF Judge Parker
for President as a good beginning. He
declares for state ownership Of rail-
roads, government control OF telegraphs
and adjustment of private monopoly,
and favors the income tax and election
Of federal judges by h people. Mr..
Bryan says in part:
Il have heretofore refused TO take po-
sition upon the question OF government
ownership of railroads. first, because !
had not until recently studied the sub
ject and second, because the question
had not been reached. Recent events
have convinced me that the time is now
ripe for the presentation Of this Ques-
tion. Consolidation after consolidation
has taken place until a few men control
the railroad traffic of the country and
defy both the legislative n executive
power of the nation. ! invite the DEM
ocrats, therefore, to consider a plan FOR
| the government ownership and opera
ton of the railroads.
The plan usually suggested is for
the purchase of these roads by the
federal government. This plan. it seems
: to me is more Objectionable than i
plan which involves the ownership and
operation OF these roads by the several
states. To put the railroads In the
hands of the federal government would
mean an enormous Capitalization OF
power. It would give to the federal
government a largely increased in
fiuence over the citizen and the citi-
zen's affairs, and such Capitalization is
not at all necessary. The several states
can own and operate the railroads
within their borders, just as effective
ly as 1T a be done by the federal gov.
ernnfant. and If it is one by the state:
the objection based upon the fear o.
Capitalization is entirely answered
A board of representatives from thu
various states could deal with tn
joint traffic az, the various lines.
While the Democratic party in tn
nation Is advocating the governmen
4 ownership OF railroads, h Democrat
party in the cities should upon tn
same theory espouse the cause OF mu
nicipal OWN .rship of municipal r
chiseE.
/ w have also cache a time whe
the pastOffiose department should EN-
brace a tele graph system as we'll as
/ mail system.
The telegraph lines do net reach a
many ueOple. as the railroads do an
while tine ;abHSeS to private ownershi
have not been SO cpe and ~notoTiou.
get there is no reason why this mate
should not dow hat other nations al
doing in this r. aspect
The Democratic party has in tW
campaigns stot ID for an .inceme ia!
The plank was omitted this year b.
cause the men in control of the p art
thought it woul, teOgardize success !
the eastern states. This objection MA
have weight when the appeal IL mad
to a particular section and to the veal
thy men of that section, but ii eanno
have weight when the party goes forth
as it mast Iltfnat ely dc, to appeal Z
the masses.
The ontest above outlined must b,
made whether the party wins in no
vember or not II Parker Is elected rs
administration win rid us Of imperial
ism and Of the threat of the race issu'
and give us greater freedom m the tax.
ing up Of economic questions"