The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-11-11
The People and the Trusts.

In his statement to the public concern
Ing Tuesdays election, MIR. William j..
BRYAN began with the remark that "Fhe
eo-cailcd conservative Democrats charged
the defeats of 1896 and 1900 to the par
tvs position on the money question, and
insisted that victory could be won by
dropplng tho coinage question entirely"
This is not fair statement of fact.
The members of the Platform Commits
tee Of the National Convention were in
favor Of declaring for the gold standard,
but finally decided ito drop the coin
age question entirely" in difference to
Mr., Bryan and his associates. Hrhis
was blunder which came near bringing
disaster when Judge Parkcr's famous
telegram Yves received, ano 1t was
blunder which embarrassed the party no
little during the campaign which fol-
lowed It was urged by the Republic
cans throughout the entire campaign that
the Democratic Convention was afraid
to take position on the coinage ques-
ton and was only whipped into line by
the party nominee. It was further urged
that the Democratic party was still in
favor OF the free and unlimited coinage
OF silver. and that 1t would not do to
cntrust the affairs Of government to a
party holding such views.
Mr.. Bryan. N his statement. then went
was due TO the fact that 1t failed to
make a vigorous assault on the trusts
and intinlated that the party had ac
tu;,lly catered 10 the trusts. In point Of
fact. Judge Parker urged the National
Committee not 70 receive any contribu-
tions from the trusts and the committee
asserts that his request was strictly COM
Piled with Judge Parker. the Democratic
speakers and the Democratic press at
tackled the trusts as vigorously as posi-
publicans had made a corrupt bargain
with them, under which contributions to
the campaign fund were TO be made in
consideration OF favors past and present,
and favors to come. Mr. Bryan himself
took the stump in support of the Demo
where that Judge Parker was worthy OF
their support, and that If he should be
elected, he would dd!o.aR IN his power to
restrain the trusts .:Yet Indiana, which
Mr.. Bryan SO vigorously and galanuy
canvassed in behalf OF Democracy. gave
Roosevelt a plurality OF 1900, and Mr..
Bryan's own State OF Nebraska gave
plurality quite as large.
In view of these simple facts what be-
comes of Mr.. Bryans arguments? If the
great masses are so violently opposed to
trusts, why this overwhelming defeat OF
Parker and this triumphant election Of
Roosevelt? Why should the people have
dIsregarded the plea of Mr.. Bryan and
other Democrats and turned away from
Parker and given their support to Roose-
welt? Does 1t stand to reason that they
expected to curb the trusts by continu-
ing Republican rule. Mr., Bryan urged
his followers In all parts Of the country
that the way to curb the trusts was TO
elect Parker. Yet the people defeated
Parker and elected Roosevelt by an
overwhelming majority.
The fact Is and this election shows ii,
that the people at large are not so much
opposed to the trusts as the antitrust
speakers would make Il appear. Thou.
sands and thousands OF persons own stock
in them. thousands and tens of thon.
sands of persons arc employed nv them.
and co,nparatIyelv few fcca ina, thev ara
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