The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-04-03
KANSAS and IOWA.
Col. Bryan Says Both Are on the
Right Track.

Lincoln, Neb.. April SIT is a get
ting together OF the aggressive elements
Of the party in active preliminary
work for the great battle of 1908" is
the way w. j. Bryan explained his re-
cent activity in connection with the re-
organization of the Democratic party.
Mr.. Bryan returned from DeS
Moines, and it was with particular
reference to the meeting held there,
at which he made the principal ad-
dress, that he spoke. Mr.. Bryan eE-
planned that the Des MONIES meeting,
like the one held at Topeka, Kan,
late in February, was to further a
movement for the organization Of
Democratic clubs and thereby place
the machinery of the party in the
hands of those who meant it well.
In Iowa, he said, the same plan had
been adopted as in Kansas, with both
Of which he was in hearty sympathy.
REORGANIZATION. - continued Mr.
Bryan, els hardly the proper way to
express it, because the party does not
need reorganization. There is no fac
tionaI division calling for separate
effort but the movement is to
get back to the people, to put
the radical and progressive ele-
ment in more complete control that
there may be united, harmonious eff
fort for the campaign of 1908. The
purpose is to begin at the bottom, let
ting the rank and file have voice in
the national convention by writing the
platform at home for the national
convention to ratify."
Mr.. Bryan said he was not trying
to head a faction or to change the
organization further than that he
wanted the progressive men of the
party to take the lead. The cOnSerVa-
tives, he said. had dominated the last
national convention, and the party
had met with defeat. He believed the
rank and file of the voters was for
progression and radicalism if need be.
Mr.. Bryan continued:
THE work should begin at the pri-
maries, and every Democrat should
vote. Tt remains with the rank and file
Of the Democratic party to say what
the party's course shall be. No one will
for q. moment doubt the course which
will be adopted by the rank and file if
they avail themselves of the duty to
register their preference at the pri-
maries. But a systematic effort will be
necessary in order that Democrats will
be impressed with the importance of
participating in their party's councils.
The enemies OF good government, the
benehciaries of class legislation, act as
one man with unlimited means at their
disposal The people have only their
votes, and they must cast them togeth-
er or suffer defeat
Democrats who believe their party
should be a party Of the people have il
in their power through systematic or
ganiZatlOn to so shape their party's policies
and govern its environment for the 1905
campaign that it win command the sup
port of ali men who have grown weary
of the exactiOns made by special inter
ests."
BfT. Bryan in conclusion quoted his
announcement of several weeks ago for
the organization of the party, saying
the plan doeS not rest upon the par
amount Importance Of any one issue
but it recognizes the right of the Demo
cratic voters to control the policy of the
party and to determine It's position up
on public questions.
Mr.. Bryan presided last night at the
meeting in ST. Pauls Methodist church
and introduced Ballington Booth, who
made an address in behalf Of the Vol
uuteers of America