The Elbert County tribune. [volume] (Elbert, Elbert County, Colo.) 18??-1920, 1904-07-28
BRYAN'S SCHEME
70 REFORM DEMOCRATIC Panty



Lincoln. Neb.. July 22.-w- J. Bry-
ans plan for the reformation Of the
Democracy was published to-day. In u
Mr.. Bryan favors radical changes and
departure from conservative lines.
but advocates the election OF Judge
Parker for President as n good begin
ming.
He declares for state ownership Of
railroads. government control Of telc-
graphs. abolishment OF private monop-
oily. the income tax and the election
OF federal judges by the people
Mr.. Bryan says In part:
my selection as standard bearer o.
tbS democratic party in 1906 and
again In 1900 made me the nominal
leader of that party. and ms such | did
not feel at liberty to engraft new doc
trines upon the party creed I content
ed myself with the defense Of those
principles and policies which were en-
bodied in the platform.
Nov that the leadership devolves
upon another. bear only the respons-
ibility that each citizen must bear
namely. responsibility for my own
opinion. my utterances and my con-
duct. l am free to undertake a work
which until now have avoided. name
ly. the work OF organizing the radical
and progressive element in the Demo
cratic party.
THE money question is for the pres
emit In allegiance. The increased pro-
duction OF gold has lessened the strain
upon the dollar and while bimetallism
Is as sound In the ordinary rs II ever
was, the necessity for II is not so APP
parent.
have heretofore refused TO take n
position upon the question OF govern
ment ownership OF railroads. 6rst. be-
cause had not until recently studied
the subject; and second. because tho
question had not been reached.
Recent events have convinced me-
that the time is now ripe for the pre-
sentation OF the question. Consolida-
tion after consolidation has taken
place. until a few men now control tho
railroad traffic OF the country and defy
| both the legislative and executive
power OF the nation. I invite the
Democrats, therefore. to consider the
plan for the government ownership
and operation OF railroads.
'rhe plan usually suggested IL for
the purchase OF these roads by the fed
, eral government This plan. II
seems to me. is more Objectionable
than plan which involves the owner
ship and operation OF these roads by
| the several states. To put the rail-
roads in the hands OF the federal gov.
eminent would mean an enormous CEN
tralization Of power
"Wnile the Democratic party In the
nation is advocating the government
ownership OF railroads. the Democratic
party In the cities should upon tho
same theory espouse tho cause OF mu.
nicipal ownership of municipal fran
/ cnIses.
| I'VE have also reached n time when
the Postofiice Department should en-
brace Geographic system as well m
a mail system. While the telegraph
lines do not reach as many people a.
the railroads do and while tine abuses
OF private ownership have not been so.
open and notorious. yet there IL NO rea-
| son why this nation should not do
what other nations are doing in this'
respect.
The private monopoly must be de-
stroyed. The Democratic platform
ADOPTED at Kansas City declared the
private monopoly to DO indefensiblc
and intolerable.
The Democratic party has in two
campaigns stood for m income tau.
The plank was omitted this year b.
cause the men In control OF ne party
thought 1t would jeopartiize success In
the eastern states This objection
may have weight when the appeal 10
made to a particular section and to
the wealthy men OF that section, but
1t cannot have weight when the party
| goes forth. as II must ultimately do. 10,
/ appeal to the masses."