The Black Hills union and western stock review. [volume] (Rapid City, S.D.) 1904-19??, 1905-03-03
BRYAN PRESIDENT
IN 1903 ELECTION
Former Senator Chandler Pre-
diets 1t if Rate Legislation
Is Not Passed.
1T MIGHT BE LAFOlLETTE
But Chandler Says If He Were Named
by Republicans. Railroads Would
Support Bryan and Picks
Latter to Win, Anyhow.

Washington, Feb 25.-Former Senator
William e. Chandler of New Hampshire
has written a remarkable letter to Senator
Elkins, chairman of the senate committee
on interstate commerce, advocating the
passage of the Fsch Townsend bill by the
senate and predicting that William J.
Bryan will be elected president of the
United States in 1908 unless the senate
acts
Senator Chandler declares the bill is
moderate. and if there are any defects
they are in favor of the railroads. If this
bill is not passed there are two others.
in his opinion in which congress can meet
the situation.
Two Plans Are Outlined.
One is the introduction of government
directors IN the railroad boards The 9TH
CT is the purchase OF railroads by the gov
eminent at their actual value.
Senator Chandler quotes testimony given
by Senator Depew and the late George B.
Roberts before Il committee in congress in
1882. Mr.. Roberts at that time said it was
farcical to say the railroads were obervins
the open rates. Mr.. Chandler proceeds:
This was in 1892. Twelve years later, in
1904, the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fee
railroad was found guilty by the interstate
commerce commission of having systemat-
ically. wiifully and continuously violated
for the last five years the law against re.
bates. While giving TO fuel and iron
company rebates from the traffic rate, it
charged the full rates 10 other shippers.
Mr.. Ripley, president of the company,
after seeking a rehcarlnS withdrew his
request.
Issue Is Drawn Plainly.
'"rhcreforc now to all sin-laden soul
within the railroad offices of the company
who are moaning over the crimes they de-
clare they must commit in order to do
business comes this bill of the house.
"lf this bill is rejected against unan-
nous democracy (Which still is led by their
intelligent. though fanatical. leader. Mr..
Bryant two propositions thereby shall be
established:
a. That the government will take no
part in the original fixing of rates of rail
road transportation, and that the rates
fixed by the railroads must be ineXorably
paid by all
80 That no remedy for the eXacton and
collection of eXorbitant or unreasonable
rates shall be applied except at the end OF
long lawsuits brought by feeble individuals
against Sl2O0o,0o0,000 combination.
Issues Warning on Bryan.
Mr.. Bryan will be elected president in
1908, and with him will surely come the
governmental ownership of railroads, the
suppression Of the fifteenth amendment
and of the colored vote. the destruction OF
the protective tariff with the enthrone-
mcnt Of free trade. the repeal of the gold
standard with the restoration of free silver
coinage at IS TO !. and all other unnum-
bercd woes of which Mr.. Bryan is the adj
vocatc.
mo republican candidate can prevent
this dismal misfortune except President
Roosevelt aud he will not again be a
candidate. Possibly, however, Senator La
Toilette is another republican leader who
could stem the tide Of democracy driven
along by the inrushng Indignation CT mil
lions of republicans. Yet even then the
railroads thus compelled to choose between
two threatened demons might conclude to
assist IN the election of Mr.. Bryan"