New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-12-09
DEMOCRATIC DUTY.
Bryan Suggests Reforms for the
Party to Undertake.

Under the title, THE Reorganization Of the Re-
organized Democracy" w. J. Bryan discusses the
duty of the party in the current issue of The Sat
urday Evening Post" In part he says
Though it win require four years for the country
to for form an estimate of the value COR cosp of the
recent victory, it is already evident that the over
to the attempts OF the so-caled Conservative Dem
S S TO emascnlate the DEMOCRATIC creed The
Iact that the party notwithstanding Judge ParkerS
gold telegram. was defeated by larger plurality
plank I has made it impossible for the Eastern wing
II fe Iugye agsln by promise OF viot1ry
R ndb certain reforms which the country very
that now block the Wa% To oa Economic and
reforms Or at least. interfere with the discussion
advantage at the polls the party must now address
s s 70 the situation and plan for the campaign Of
hs ySaF It ought to profit by those mistakes and
That there is need of reform is already apparent
to millions. and it will become apparent to increas-
which the public is being exploited to-day Is not
Is reszed by any large proportion Of the people
U5 b 81 power by vote largely IN excess OF that by
duty of the Democratic party-and a duty which it
Is now free to perform-to present to the public the
The Interstate Commerce Commission. which has
a majority of Republicans in its membership. has
for several years been asking Congress to enlarge
that the commission may deal more effectively
roads in the United States Senate has thus far
stood In the way of the carrying out of the
party has twice demanded this enlargement of the
scope Of the Interstate Commerce law and if the
mand the Democrats can with advantage press this
The trust question presents some of the same
phases as the railroad problem. Nearly all the
troll Of the market to collect dividends and, besides
ms, Shey are constantly narrowing the field Of
do TO the consumers of trust made goods is only a
government to rest fully and firmly upon the con-
sent OF the governed under industrial system
o n la lzy
bread to the millions who labor, The Republican
The Republican party must sooner or later take
its position upon this subject 1t cannot always
DESTROYED and at the same time draw campaign
The Democratic party has declared in two plat
forms that a private monopoly is indefensfble and
the criminal Law. and it has also demanded that
the pryileges OF interstate commerce be withdrawn
from the trusts: 1t has a chance to bring this
question before the public with Increasing emphasi
must ultimately condemn private monopolies Of
The Republican party did not promise any tariff
REF Tnr the Republican party is afraid to prom
likely 10 make any material revision after great
victory The Democratic party stands for tariff
stronger as combinations Of manufacturers Increase
ana as more and more protected articles are ex-
Though the production OF gold has for the time
ton of betallisr stiii there are other phases OF
the subject that are likely to present issues which
desire the retirement Of the silver dollar but the
RepupHcanS cannot undertake this without danger
TO their political prospects The flnanciers also
want asset currency for two reasons-frst be-
cause the purchase of bonds at a premium compels
bonds than it can issue upon the bonds and.
ond, because the retirement OF the national debt
viii leave no bonds to serve basis for bank
notes. And yet every suggestion of cur
rency has aroused objection. and the Republican
leaders are at present in quandary; they, do not
afraid of protest from the voters. The question
of banknotes is entirely separate distinct from
decrease in the volume OF metallic money does not
az eCf ~ he hefrv thnsa
who favor government paper and those who favor
bank paper While the Republicans in order TO de-
fend bank paper must either advocate a perpetual
bonds for banknotes. the Democrats can oppose
both a perpetual dent and an asset currency and
Besides refusing to reform existing abuses the
sues which are being raised. The growth of nu-
nicipal ownership in the cities has been accompa-
the extension OF governmental activity.
There is increasing demand for an enlargement
rural delivery and this OF course meets with 4he
opposition OF the banks. There is increasing de-
the business of the great express companies There
Is q growing demand for a postal telegraph system
this Is opposed by the telegraph Companies ana
The demand for the election Of Senators by the
is opposed by the CORPORATIONS. The demand for
direct legislation is growing every day. The cor
porations oppose this also. and the Republican
party must before long take a position upon Il.
AS the expenses Of the navy continue to increase
that subject is likely TO become more and more an
issue As the responsiveness of Imperialism be-
comes more and more apparent 1t will arouse a
from those who have seemed indifferent to
the principles involved, but who viii not be in
different 70 the burdens which il imposes upon the
There is every indication that the Democratic
party will address itself to these reforms and
thus by deserving success, lay the foundation for
a real victory