Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-04-14
w. J. BRYAN AT CHICAGO
PRINCIPAL SPEAKER AT THE JET
FERsoN DAY BANQUET.
Democrats Use Occasion to Rejoice
Over Recent Municipal Victory
Evils of the Day.

subjects of national significance to the
democratic party were discussed by sew
eral lading orators of the party at Jeffer-
son Club banquet in Chicago last night in
commemoration of the birthday of Thomas
Jefferson. The dinner in a measure re-
solved itself into a jollifcation over the
recent election of Mayor Dunno who is a
director of the club. The mayor was
among the speakers who responded to
toasts. All the speakers referred to mu-
nicipal ownership and to Mayor DUNES
election on municipal ownership plat
form.
William Jennings Bryan and George Fred
Williams were the principal speakers from
out of town. Mr. Bryan spoke on Thomas
Jefferson and his remarks were greeted
with unstinted applause. Mr.. Bryan said
in part:
Jefferson's Principles Today.
Jefferson not only promulgated the prin-
ciples of free government, but in his writ
ings he consistently applied those princi-
pies to every problem with which the gov
eminent had to deal. And the principles
which he applied were so fundamental that
we find them used today in the discussion
of questions which have arisen since his
death.
"On the subject of acquiring territory
by conquest, now favored by an influential
portion of our countrymen, he said: If
there be one principle more deeply rooted
than another in the mind Of every Ameri-
cans 1t is that we should have nothing
to do with conquest and at another time
said. Conquest is not in our principles 1t
Is inconsistent with our government.
Subject of Taxation.
''On the subject of taxation he ever in
sisted upon its limitation to the actual
needs Of government and upon it's equita-
BILE distribution. He Is on record in favor
of the arbitration of disputes between ma
tions, and no one who is familiar with
his writings can doubt that he would favor
arbitration today of disputes between la
Dor and capital, and his views upon the
entertainments of the judiciary and the
value of trial by jury make it certain that
he would. If living, oppose what we know
as government by injunction.
"An his arguments in favor of making
the government responsible to the will of
the people can be deduced in support Of
the movement that has for its object the
election of senators by direct vote of the
people. On the subject of finance he not
only favored bimetallism. but he expressed
his opposition to a bank currency and to
the control of the national treasury by the
financiers.
Williams on Equal Rights.
Mr.. Williams took for his theme Equal
None" The speaker was warmly welcomed
by the banqueters. He said In part:
II am here tonight with faith not shaken
in the fundamental principle of democracy,
that there shall be equal rights to all and
special privileges to none Were 1t merely
TO relieve those who suffer today, 1 plead
for the enforcement of this doctrine We
have the breathing, pulsating body of man
with which to deal, and it Is no answer to
him who suffers today that his death to-
morrow will be the seed of a righteous
revolution. For my part 1 cannot stand
idly by to await a natural .cataclysm while
men. women and children are suffering to-
day. Were the laws good, yet unavaling,
it would be otherwise, for We should be
powerless; but when we know that laws
are monstrouS and cruel, shall we wait for
nature to bring order out of ruin?'
Johnson on Municipal Ownership.
Mayor Tom Johnson of Cleveland was the
next speaker. Mr.. Johnson also spoke on
| municipal ownership. He discussed the
possibilities of municipal ownership from a
traction experts view.
Mayor Johnson discussed the advIsability
of proceeding to negotiate for the purchase
OF existing street car lines in Chicago. On
this point he spoke of the delay attendant
on negotiations during which the street
car companies would not give good service.
were supplemented with active proceedings
to force a conclusion, a fair agreement for
the purchase might soon be made.