The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1905-09-15
MR. nRYAN AND rAs rREsloENr


course. Mr bryan has lndofseu the
Presidents action in bringing about
peace between Japan and Russia Ey-
erytody seconds that Endorsement. II
was emmently fitting that the ac
knowledged leader Of American Dem
ocracy should have rendered his con.
eratulations. Had MT Bryan been
president he would doubtless have act
ed in this matter in about the same
snanner as the President acted Per
sonally. and by virtue Of the premier
ship OF his party. the propriety Of MIR.
Bryans congratulations is not open to
question save by rancorous, narrow
part isanship
Mr. Bryan has publicly approved Of
the Presidents expressed determine
tion 10 bring railroad discrimination
to stop and has favorably commented
upon the plan Of governmental super
vision of the railroads The Presi-
dents remedy for the abuses now in
practice in the management Of the
transportation business is not the
measure Of relief that Mr.. Bryan would
apply. but il is a step towards a reform
urgently demanded by the square
dcalv and by equality of business priv.
lleges. and as step Mr. Bryan sup
ports it,
Upon the adjournment Of the last
congress It was predicted. with much
assurance. that the ffty-ninth con.
eress would be summoned into special
session for the purpose Of enacting
remedial railroad legislation. Later
contradictory prophecies were made.
sim later the original forecasts were
revived only to be followed by a re-
currence Of denial A few weeks ago,
however. It was reported that the extra
session would positively be called.
even the date Of its convention having
been designated But now It is known
there viii be no extra session, and this
fact is interpreted to mean first blood
for the railroad interests. or more mild.
ly. as a recession on the spart Of the
President from his Jealous determine
tion TO right rebate wrongs at the
earliest practicable moment
No Intelligent man honestly ques-
tions the immediate necessity Of dras-
tic efforts to compel the railroads to
deal honestly with the public No one
presumes to defend the present rail
road methods except railroad direc-
tors. the immediate benefciaries Of
the system. the retained attorneys and
the paid advocates such as the gratuit
Gus J. II. Maddy No one questions
the invidious influence which the rail
roads WELD politically. Everybody
/ knows. for instance, that our national
law.makers are the recipients of sub.
stantial favors from the railroad inter
ests. We have It on the assurance OF
Missouri Republican member-elect
Of the coming congress that the dele
gates to the conventions of his party
In this state, with here and there q
flew exceptions. travel from their
homes TO the convention city and back
on railroad passes. With their obli
gatory credentials in their pockets they
meet TO denounce railroad iniquity
I About the same might be said Of the
Democratic party in Missouri And il
might be said Of all the parties in all
the states
Again. it Is a fact, known and appre
ciated to its full worth, that in his ef
fort for railroad reform President
Roosevelt win be at loggerheads with
the most powerful influences within his
own party. The senate viii be against
him with all its superficial respectable
1 ily. its innate rottenness and its un
s deniable power seuator Aldrich, die
tator of finance. win have the pack OF
senatorial wolves trained to the hour
to pounc upon any measur Of railroad
lrefom that reaches the great preserve
Of privilege and tear IL limb from limb
Thus it viii be seen that Roosevelt
has set out upon a rough and rocky
road in attempting to effect the rail
road square deal Whether he will
press on to the end Of the journey OF
7 whether he viii falter remains 20 be
seen Thus far he has talked bravely
( but he haenft acfad
Were Bryan in Roosevelts position
today he would not. in our opinion. be
deferred by the pass.ridihs tools 81
congress. The Aldriches in the senate
wouldn't occasion a minutes hesita
tlon. II he had had a cabinet membei
who had violated the law, who hat
acted in contempt OF federal courts
Injunction, he would not have giver
him letter Of recommendation. H'
wouldn't have interposed the supreme
dignity of his ofiice 20 prevent the law
from mhictng upon this eminent re
creant the penalty his coaduct had de
served. Had an extra session beei
necessary it would have been called
/ Meretreious expodiency would no
have caused postponement
So, there you are When Presiden
Roosevelt acts in behalf OF civilization
he merits the approval OF Mr., Bryai
and the approval of Bryan Democrats