The Savannah morning news., 1904-07-22
PLAN TO REFORM
The DEMOCRACY
BY Mr.. WILLIAM J. BRYAN.
THINKS ELECTION OF PARKER
WOULD BE A GOOD START.

state Ownership of Railroads the
Key Note of the Cry of the Form
er Candidate for President-GOv-
ernment Should Control TeIe-
graph Lines as Well as Mail Sys-
tem-AbOIishment of Private Mo-
nopOIy and an Income Tax Are
Favored.
Lincoln, Neb.. July Civ. J. Bryans
olan for the reformation Of the Democ-
racy was given publicity to-day. In
it Mr.. Bryan favors radical changes,
hut advocates the election of Judge
Parker for President as a good begin
ming. He declares for state ownership
of railroads, government control of
monopoly, and favors the income tax
and election of federal judges by the
people. Mr. Bryan says, in part:
Il have heretofore refused to take a
position upon the question of govern
ment ownership of railroads, first, be-
cause I had not until recently studied
the subject, and, second, because the
question had not been reached. Re-
cent events have convinced me that
the time is now ripe for the presenta-
ton of this question. Consolidation
after consolidation has taken place,
until a few men now control the rail-
road traffic of the country, and defy
both the legislative and executive
7 fIao Tln11
ocrats, therefore, to consider a plan
for the government ownership and op-
Grafton of the railroads.
For State Operation.
The plan usually suggested is for
the purchase of these roads by the
federal government. This plan, it
seems to me, is more objectionable
than a plan which involves the own
ership 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 of power. 1t would give
TO the federal government a largely
increased influence over the citizen
and the citizens affairs, and such CEN
tralization is not at all necessary. The
several states can own and operate
the railroads within their borders just
as effectively as it can be done by
the federal government, and if it is
done by the states, the objection based
upon the fear of Capitalization is en-
tirely answered. A board composed
of representatives from the various
states could deal with the joint traffic
of the various lines.
While the Democratic party in the
nation is advocating government own
erships of railroads, the Democratic
party in the cities should upon the
same theory espouse the cause of mu-
nicipal ownership of municipal fran
chises.
Telegraph, as Well as MniI.
we have also reached a time when
the Postoffice Department should en-
brace telegraph system as well as
a mail system.
The telegraph lines do not reach as
many people as the railroads do, and
While the abuses to private ownership
nave not been so open and notorious,
yet there is no reason why this nation
should not do what other nations are
doing in this respect
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 it would jeopardize success in
the Eastern states. This objection may
nave weight when the appeal is made
10 particular section and to the
wealthy men of that section, but it
cannot have weight when the party
goes forth, as it must ultimately do, to
appeal to the masses.
The contest above outlined must be
made, whether the party wins in No
Fember or not. If Mr.. Parker is elect
ed' his administration will rid us of
Imperialism and of the threat of a
race issue, and give us greater free
dom in the taking up of economic ques-
tions."