Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1904-12-29
PROBLEMS FOR DEMOCRATS.
william J. Brya. Di.cu..e. the n.
OrganiRAtion of the Party.

william J. Bryan Discusses the Re-
organization of the Party.
William Jennings Bryan In IN arti-
Gle contributed to the Saturday Even.
ing Post ON THE Reorganization of the
Recognized Democracy" says in part:
Though it will require four years
for the country to form IN estimate Of
the value Tor cost of the recent vic
tory, 1t is already evident that the
overwhelming character of the defeat
has put an end to the attempts Of the
80 called conservative Democrats to
emasculate the Democratic creed. The
tact that the party, Notwithstanding
Judge Parkers gold telegram was
defeated by larger plurality than
even when the platform contained q
sixteen to one plank has made it Inn
possible for the eastern wing to tempt
again by a promise of victory.
"1n the beginning Of the campaign
some of the literature sent out con-
tanned editorials from New York pa
pers declaring that the party had re-
pudiated 'Populism' and was again
safe and sane 1t was not long be-
fore it was discovered that such litera-
ture was harmful, and during the lat
ter days of the campaign the real dan
ger became apparent, and earnest ap-
peals We're made to those who were
fighting for economic and industrial
reforms.
'"That there Is need of reform is al.
ready apparent to millions, and it will
become apparent to increasing num-
bers as the years advance. The extent
to which the public Is being exploited
today is not fully realized by any large
proportion Of the people. II it were
the Republican party would be turned
out of power by a vote largely in ex-
cess Of that by which 1t won in the re-
cent campaign. It is the duty of the
Democratic party-and a duty which it
1s now free to perform-to present to
the public the reasons for refusing
longer to trust the government to Re
publican leaders.
"Take, for instance, the railroads.
They are stocked and bonded for up.
proximately twice what they are
worth.
1.-THE trust question presents some of
the same phases us the railroad prob
lem. Nearly all the trusts are over
capitalized and rely upon their control
Of the market to collect dividends, and
besides this they ore constantly mar
rowing the field of independent enter.
prise.
''The Democratic party has declared
in two platforms that a private mo-
nopoly is indefensible and intolerable.
It has demanded the enforcement of
the criminal law, and 1t has also de-
manded that the privileges of inter-
state commerce be withdrawn from the
trusts. 1t has chance to bring this
question before the public with In
creasing emphasis, and it will profit
by the public sentiment which must
ultimately condemn private monopo-
lies Of every kind
"If the Republican party Is afraid
to promise tariff revision during the
campaign it is not likely to make any
material revision after victory.
1.-THE labor question is growing in
Importance. The manufacturers are
organizing to fight the legislation ask
ed for by the wage earners. The tend
ency Of this is necessarily to widen
the gulf between labor and capital, and
the situation cannot help being aggra.
waited If for any reason there is a
falling off in production and decrease
in the number employed. The Repub'
lican administration must meet this
problem.
'"Though the production Of gold has
for the time being made less acute the
demand for the restoration Of bimet'
allism, still there are other phases Of
the subject that are likely to present
issues which will embarrass the Re.
publicans.
1.-THE growth Of municipal ownership
In the cities has been accompanied by 9
| growth in public sentiment favorable
to the extension Of governmental &C
dvity.
''There is an increasing demand fol
an enlargement Of the money order sys
TEN to meet the needs Of rural delivery
and this, Of course, meets with the op
position Of the banks.
1.-THE consolidation of the trunk lines
Of railway. the raising of the frefgh,
rates and the political influence exert
ed by the railways-these. taken to
gether, are Increasing the number Of
those who believe that railroads should
be classed among natural monopolies
and taken out Of the hands of private
individuals and corporations.
1.-THE demand for the election Of sen
ators BY the people is strong among
the masses. but this, too. is opposed by
the corporations.
"As the expenses Of the navy continue
to Increase that subject is likely to be
come moro and more an issue.
Attention has been called to some
Of the problems land there are others
which the Republican party must meet
they are problems intimately connected
with the welfare Of the country, and
the Republican party is not in position
to offer permanent solution of any Of
4 "a q L. T.