The San Francisco call., 1905-04-14
VIEWS
OF JEFFERSON
Bryan Declares the "Father
of Democracy" Had Fore
seen Great Evils of To-Day
MAYOR DUNE SPEAKS
Chicago's Executive Wants a
Public Ownership Plank i'll
Next Democratic Platform

CHICAGO, April 13.-Subjects ofna-
tional significance to the Democratic
party were discussed by the foremost
orators of the party at the Jefferson
ian banquet held at the Sherman
House tonight in commemoration of
the birthday of Thomas Jefferson. The
dinner, however, in measure resolved
itself into a jolliflcation over the cleo
ton Of Mayor Edward F. Dunno, who
is a director of the club and was
among the speakers. All the speakers
in their discourses referred to munich
pal ownership and TO Mayor DUNES
recent election on that platform.
William J. Bryan and George Fred
Williams OF Massachusetts, were the
principal speakers. Bryan chose for
his subject Thomas Jefferson" and
his remarks were greeted with un-
stinted applause. Bryan took advan-
tage Of the occasion to congratulate
Dunno on his recent election as chief
executive of the city of Chicago. In a
review Of the public utterances and
policy of Jefferson, Bryan showed that
the father of Democracy had fore
seen all Of the great evils that the
American nation is now awakening to
and had endeavored by his teachings
to direct his countrymen into pathways
that would have avoided them.
Williams took for his theme Equal
Rights to All and Special Privileges to
None"
Mayor Dunno spoke on Municipal
Ownership" After a lengthy discus
sion of this subject Mayor Dunno
ended his remarks by appealing to the
Democratic party to incorporate a
municipal ownership plank in the plat
form to be adopted at the next ma
tional convention of the party. His
speech in part was as follows:
The Democratic party won In the spring
election because its platform plainly, clearly
and truthfully declared for principles which
were for the best interests OF the people. II
lost last fail because its platform was a COM
promise and because the people believed that
it dealt in platitudes rather than principles.
The results Of these two elections should
teach the lesson TO the men who stand high in
the councils or Democracy that evasion. insin-
cerity and retrogression should have no place
in the platforms of the Democratic party. The
party must take and hold the advanced posi-
tions. Il must keep pace with the march OF
events. IL must declare against monopoly in
any and all forms; against special privileges
IN every Euise
Private corporations have seized and taken
possession OF the means OF transportation and
all Of them monopolies requiring the use of
public property. BY possession of these mo-
nopolies they have been despoiling and plum
oering the people OF this country.
The people have at last awakened 10 the
fact that such rnonopolies unfair. iniquitous
and dangerous TO the republic The blow
struck in Chicago will be followed by blows OF
like character throughout the cities OF the
United States. II will also be followed. in my
humble Judgment, II the Democratic party
IS wise and prudent and incorporates IN It's
next platform q ringing declaration in favor
OF Government ownership OF Interstate rail-
roads telegraphs and express transportation.
by a decisive victory in favor OF the common
people OF this country
II the protective tariff be abolished and the
Government takes possession OF the means OF
transportation, OF conveyance Of freight, ex-
press packages and information, every danger
Gus trust in America will die a natural death
IN FIVE years.
Tom L. Johnson OF Cleveland was
the next speaker. He also spoke on
municipal ownership.
Among others who spoke during the
evening were ]. Hamilton Lewis and
Clarence S. Darrow. Lewis spoke on
"A Constitution to Fit the Institu-
TONS