The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1904-07-26
BRYANS REFORM PLAN
Advocates Parker's Election as Good
Beginning For Democrats.
HE FAvoRs RADICAL CHANGES
Declares For State Ownership Of Rail-
roads, Government Control Of Tele-
graphs and Adjustment OF Monop-
civ and FaVors An Income Tax,

LincoN, Neb.. July CIV. J. Bryan's
plan for the reformation Of the De
mocracy has been given publicity. In
Il Mr.. Bryan favors radical changes,
but advocates the election OF Judge
Parker for president as good begin
ming. He declares for state ownership
of railways, government control OF
telegraphs and adjustment Of private
monopoly. and favors the income tax
and election Of federal judges by the
people. Mr. Bryan says in part:
my selection as standard bearer OF
the Democratic party in 1896 and
again in 1900 made me the nominal
leader of that party, and as such l
did not feel at liberty to engraft new
doctrines upon the party creed. con-
tented myself with the defense OF
those principles and policies which
were embodied in the platform.
"Now that the leadership deyolyes
upon another, am free 10 undertake
work which until now have avoided.
namely. the work of organizing the
radical and progressive element in the
Democratic party.
"The money question is for the pres
ent in allegiance. The production has
iessened the strain upon the dollar, and
while bimetallism is as sound in
theory as il ever was, the necessity
for il is not so apparent.
"But while the people cannot be
brought at this time 20 consider the
various phases of the money question
they can be brought to consider other
questions with which the Democratic
party must deal | have heretofore re
fused to take a position upon the
question of government ownership OF
railroads, first, because had not until
recently studied the subject and sec
ond, because the question had not been
reached. Recent events have convinced
me that the time is now ripe for the
presentation of this question. Consoli'
dalton after consolidation has taken
place. until few men now control the
railroad traffic of the country and
defy both the legislative and executive
power OF the nation, invite the Demo
Gratis. therefore, to consider a plan TOT
the government ownership and oper'
alton OF the railroads.
"The plan usually suggest"1 is for
the purchase of the roads by the fell
eral government This plan, 1t seems
to me. Is more Objectionable than a
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 or
power. If the federal government had
the railroads 70 build there would be
constant warning between different
sections to secure a fair share OF the
new building and development but
where this is left to the state the peo-
ple in each state can decide what rail
roads they desire 10 build up or to
buy.
"WhiIe the Democratic party In the
nation is advocating the government
ownership of railroads, the Democratic
party in the cities should upon the
same theory espouse the cause of mu
nicipal ownership OF municipal fran
chises.
1--WE have also reached time when
the postOmce department should en-
brace telegraph system as well as a
mail system.
"The private monopoly must be de
stroyed. The Democratic platform
adopted at Kansas City declared the
private monopoly to be indefensible
and intolerable,
"The Democratic party has in two
campaigns stood for an income tax.
The plank was omitted this year be-
cause the men in control of the party
thought 1t would jeopardize success in
the eastern states. This objection
NAV have weight when the appeal is
made to a particular section and TO
the wealthy men of that section, but 1t
cannot have weight when the party
goes forth. as 1t must ultimately do, to
appeal to the masses.
"The contest above outlined must
be made whether the party wins in
November or not. A single election
IS but an incident In the life OF a
party. For more than a century the
Democratic party has stood forth as
the representative of certain great
ideas. Jefferson founded 1t, Jackson de-
Tended 1t, and even Cleveland could
not destroy 1t. If Mr.. Parker is elected
his administration VIII rid us Of i'm
perIalism and of the threat of a race
innnn and siYA lis greater freedom in