Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1904-07-22
MR.. BRYAN's REFORM PLAN.

/
it Mr.. Bryan favored radical changes,
but advocates the election of Judge Par
ker for president as good beginning.
He declares for State ownership of rail-
roads, 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. / contented myself
with the defense of those principles and
policies which were embodied in the
platform.
"Now that the leadership devolyes
upon another, and bear only the re-
sponsibility that each citizen must bear;
namely, the res possibility for my own
opinions, my utterance and my con-
duct. | am free to 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
lessened the strain upon the dollar, and
while bimetalism is as sound in theory
as it ever was, the necessity for it is not
so apparent.
"Bat while the people cannot be
brought at this time to consider the
various phases of the money question,
they can be brought to consider certain
other questions with which the demo-
cratic party must deal. | have hereto
fore refused to take 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-
dation 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. l invite the democrats,
therefore, to consider plan for the gov
ernment ownership and operation of the
railroads.
"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 plan which
Involves the ownership and operation OF
these roads by the several States. To
put the railroads in the hands of the fed
eral government would mean an enor-
nous Capitalization of power. 1t would
give to the federal government largely
increased influence over the citizen and
the citizens affairs, and such cAntraliza-
ton 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 objec-
tion based upon the fear of Capitalization
is entirely answered.
A board composed of representatives
from the various States could deal with
the Joint traffic of the various lines. III
the federal government had the railroads
to build there would be constant war
ring between different sections to secure
fair share of the new building and
development, but where this is left to
the State the people in each State can de-
eide what railroads they desire to build
up or to buy.
"While 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 municipal
ownership of municipal franchises.
ave have also reached time when
the PostofIice Department should en-
brace telegraph system as well as
mail system.
'The telegraph lines do not reach as
many people as the railroads do, and
while the abuses to private ownership
have not been so open and notorious,
vet there is no reason why this nation
should not do what other nations are DO
ing in this respect.
1.-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 because the
men in control of the party thought it
would jeopardize success in the eastern
States. This objection may have weight
when the appeal is made to a 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.
oThe contest above outlined must be
made whether the party wins in Novem-
her or not. A single election is but an
incident in the life of a party. For
more than a century the democratic
nartv has stood forth as the repres enta-
tive of certain great ideas. Jefferson
founded it, Jackson defended it, ana
even Cleveland could not destroy IL
If Mr.. Parker is elected his admins,
tration will rid us of Imperialism, and oi
the threat of race issue and give us