The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1904-04-28
VIM. ]. BRYAN SPEAKS
DeaounCes New York Platform and
Declares 1t DishOnest--Says lie
is Neutral on Presidency.

addressed q large audlenco tonight IN
the Armory Of the Second Illinois in
fantry. The place was packed to it's ut
most capacity and large number Of
people we're unable to get through the
doors.
. The meeting was entirely an affair of
Mr.. Bryan's, he having rented the Arm
DRY and paid all the expenses Of the
meeting. He was particular to have it
understood that his address was not in
favor of or against any particular aspir-
ant for democratic nomination for the
presidency. His subject was New
York Platform and he repeated several
times during the discourse of his adj
dress that he was discussing measures
only, and not men.
have the appearance Of being delivered
under any particular political influence
or in the interest ofany especial faction,
Mr.. Bryan was his own presiding officer
and introduced himself to his hearers.
He characterized the platform adopt
ed at the recent state convention in
evasive and dishonest" declaring that
nation to adopt such platform, and it
democratic nomination any man who
would be willing to have it go forth as
a declaration Of his views on public
questions
Mr.. Bryan said in part:
MR.. BRYANS SPEECH.
Gas it is somewhat unusual for polit-
ical speech to be made as this one is
tonight let me preface my remarks with
an explanation. l have hired this hall
and l introduce myself because do not
care to speak under the auspices of any
club or organization which is committed
to any particular aspirant for Office.
My concern is not about the name or
personality of the nominee, but about
the principles for which the democratic
party is to stand. While many of the
papers seem to assume that the contest
for the democratic nomination is neces-
sarily between Judge Parker and Mr..
Hearst, and that every democrat must
either be for one or the other, such a
position is illogical and without found
alton. Those who are classed as re-
organizers and by that | mean those
who would carry the party back to the
position that it occupied under Mr..
Cleveland's dministration-are not en-
tirely agreed among themselves as to
the proper candidate upon whom to con-
centrate their votes, and so those who
are in sympathy with the spirit of our
| recent platforms may differ as to the
relative availability of those who repre-
sent the progressive element Of the
party. My own position is one of neu-
trality. regard as available all candi-
didates who are in favor Of making the
democratic party an honest, earnest and
courageous exponent of the rights and
interests of the masses, and regard as
unavailable all who are in sympathy
with or obligated to, the great corpora,
tions that today dominate the policy Of
the republican party and seek, through
the reorganizers, to dominate the policy
of the democratic party.
"What are issues before the country:
The trust question is certainly an issue
and yet there is nothing in the New
| YorkIplatform that gives any encourage
ment to the opponents of the trusts
There is not a word or syllable that
binds person elected on such a plat
form to do anything that !. the trusts are
unwilling to have done. The Kansas
City platform stated the party's opposi
tion on the trust question, but the New
York platform not only fails to indorse
the last national platform, but also fails
to propose any definite or positive plar
of relief.
IMPERIALISM is NOT MENTIONED.
sImperialism is an issue. Our govern
ment is now administering policy ac
cording to the political principles EN-
ployed by George III a century and {
quarter ago, and yet there is not in this
platform single word relating to the
question of imperialism, not a plank tina,
defines the party's position on that sub
ject, not protest against the surrender
of the doctrines of self-government