The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1904-07-27
REFORMATION OF DEMOCRACY.
Mr. Bryan Tells Of the Things Re f'a-
vors and Those He Doesn't.

". J. Bryan's plan for the re1orma
tion OF the democracy was given puo-
liclty Thursday In it Mr.. Bryan IA
yors radical changes, but advocates
the election of Judge Parker for pres
ident as good beginning. He &C.
clares for State ownership Of railroads.
poyernornment control OF telegraphS
and abollshnent OF private monopoly
and favors the income tax and election
Of federal judges by the people. Mr.
Bryan says in part:
II have heretofore refused to take
a position upon the question OF gov
eminent ownership of railroads, first,
because I had not until recently
studied the subject, and second, be-
cause the question had not been reach
ed. Recent events have convinced me
that the time is now ripe for the pre-.
sertation Of this question. Conso.i-
dation after consolidation has taken
place until a few men now control the
railroad traffic Of the country and
defy both the legislative and executive
power Of the nation. l invite the Dem
ocrats, therefore, to consider plan
for the government ownership and
operation of the railroads.
STATE OWNERSHIP OF ROADS.
"The plan usually suggested is for
the purchase OF these roads by the fed
eral government. This plan, it seems
to me, is more Objectionable than a
plan which involves the ownership and
operation Of these roads by the several
States. 70 put the railroads into the
hands Of the federal government would
mean an enormous Capitalization OF
power. It would give to the federal
government a largely increased intiu-
ence over the citizen and the citizens
affairs and such Capitalization 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 gov
ernment and If it is done by the
States, the objection based upon the
fear Of Capitalization is entirely an
sWered. a board composed Of repre-
sentatives 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
ership Of railroads, the Democratic
party in the cities should upon che
same theory espouse the cause of mum
icipal ownerShips OF municipal fran
chiSeS.
GOVERNMENT TELEGRAPH.
1--WE have also reached a time when
the postoffice Department should en-
brace a 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
have not been 50 open and notorious,
vet there is no reason why their 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
have weight when the appeal is made
to 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.
1.-THE contest above outlined must
be made whether the party wins in
November or not. If Mr.. Parker is
elected his administration will rid US
OF Imperialism and Of the threat OF a
race issue and give US greater freedom
in the taking up Of economic ques,
tions. -