The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-04-24
Former Democratic Standard Bearer Holds Big Meeting
 and Pays All Expenses
FAVORS ND PARTICULAR
 MAN FOR THE CANDIDACY
Says He Occupies Neutral Ground and Is Simply Seeking Welfare of the
 Great Party of the
 People. n

Chicago, April 23.-william J. Bryan ad< | dressed large audience tonight in ths 1 Second Regiment armory. The meeting
 was entirely affair of MT. Bryans 1 He paid all expenses. He was particular | to have it understood that his address
 was not in favor of or against any par ticular aspirant for the democratic nomi- nation for the presidency. His subject was "The New York Platform" and he repeated several times during the course of his address that he was discussing measures only and not men.
 | Mr Bryan was his own presiding off, eer and introduced himself to his hearers. He characterized the platform adopted at the recent state convention in New York as Ambiguous. uncertain, evasive and dishonest declaring that it would 1 disgrace the democrats of the nation to adopt such a platform and it ought to l defeat as an aspirant for democratic nomination any man who would be willing to have 1t go forth as declaration of his views on public questions.
 The address was as follows:
 1 Explains Ills Position. l "As lt is somewhat unusual for a polit-
 ea speech 10 be made as this one Is to- night, let me preface my remarks with an explanation. have hired t77is hi-i and I introduce mysel~ because 1 do not care to speak under the auspices of any club or organization which Is committed to any particular aanirant for office My concern Is not about the name or the personality of the minee. but about tha 1 principles for which the democratic party 1 Is to stand While many el. he papers seem 10 assume that the contest for the | democratic nomination is heeessarily be- 1 tween Judge Parker and Mir Hearst and that every democrat must either be for one or the other, such position Is illog- ieal and without foundation. Those who are elassed as reorganizers-anG by that l l mean those who would carry the party back to the position that it occupied ur- der Mr. Gleveland's administration-are not entirely agreed among themselves as to the proper candidate upon whom to | concentrate their votes. and so those who are In sympathy with the spirit of oin. | recent platforms may differ as to the rel atlve availability of those who represent the progressive element of the party.
 My own position is one of neutrality. regard as available all candidates who are in favor of making the democratic party an honest. earnest and courageous exponent of the rights and interests f 
 the masses and l regard as unava S-,-i all who are in sympathy with or oblir 2. cd to. the great corporations that today dominate the policy of the republican party and seek, through the reorganiz CTS. to dominate the policy of the demo- cratic party, l have no faVoT:tes among those on our side and so special antag- onism 10 those who represent the reor san,zers. I believe that the line should be drawn between principles. not be- ot41 1aaIf
 considered as they may be able to ad- vance or retard the progress of the de- mocracy.
 Pointed Out Objections.
 When some two years ago [ bocama satisfied that ex-Senator David B. HiI was planning to be candidate | pointed out the objections to his candidacy When the Cleveland boom was launched I point ed out the objections to his candidacv and now that MT. Parker seems to be the leading candidate, though not the only candidate, among the re-organlzers I de- sire to present some reasons why he cannot be considered as an available can didate for d democratic nominations and [ ind these reasons, not in his personality, but In Lis position upon public questions. For year he has been urged to speak out and declare himself upon the impor- tant issues of the coming campaign but he has remained silent. If this silence meant that nobody knew his views those who have been loyal to the party in recent years would stand upon an equal footing with those who deserted. but 1t is evident now that while to the public generally his views are unknown, they are well known to those who are urging his nomi- nation. Whatever doubt may have exist i ed on this subject heretofore has been dispelled by the platform adopted by the New York state convention, and taking this UlatfOrm n enough to believe that 1 can prove to every unbiased mind that Judge Parker Is not fit man to be nominated either by the democratic party or any other party that stands for honesty fair dealing in politics.
 Issues Before the Country.
 What are the issues before the coun- try? The trust question Is certainly an issue. and yet there Is nothing in that platform that gives any encouragement to the opponents of the trusts.
 Imperialism Is an issue. Our govern- ment Is now administering colonial pol icy according to the political principles employed by George IT, century and a quarter ago, and yet there is not in this platform a single word relating 10 the question of imperialism. not plank that defines the party's position on that sub ject, not a protest against the surrender of the doctrines of self-sovernment.
 "rhe labor question is an issue. The laboring men have been before the com mittees of congress endeavoring to secure three important measures. One Is the arbitration of differences between cor porations engaged in interstate cAm- merce and their employees. Both the Chi cago and Kansas City platform declared in favor of arbitration. but the New York platform not only fails to refer to the arbitration plan of these platforms. but Ii fails to write new plank con- corning this subject The laboring men are also trying to secure an eight hour day. but the New York platform Is silent on this subject.
 "On the tariff question no Issue is joined It was reasonable to suppose that on this question. at least. something would be said but MT fIl and Judge