The daily morning journal and courier., 1906-07-13
BRYAN ADMITS SILVER
 QUESTION A PAST ISSUE
VNPRECEDENTED INCREASE IN GOLD HAS SERVED TO
 REMOVE 1T.


 ways Been onservative--Surprise
 in Store, However, for Those Who
 Think He Has Moderated His OppO-
 sition to Corporate Aggrandizement.
 London, July 12.-Willlam J. Bryan, having had the opportunity of reading American newspapers, consented to- day to discuss some of the questions which have been raised since he has again become prominent as a presi- dential possibility. He said:
 T notice that am now described by some as a conservative, and in order that there may be no misunderstand- ing on the subject, permit me to say that in one sense I have always been a conservative. The democratic policies are conservative in that they embody old principles applied to new condi- tions There was nothing new in prln- ciple in either of the platforms on which stood, We were accused of at taeking property, when in fact the democratic party is the defender of property, because it endeavors to draw the line between honest accumulation by honest methods on the one side, and predatory wealth and immoral methods on the other It is to the interest of every honest man that dis honesty should be exposed and punish ed; otherwise the deserving are apt to suffer for the undeserving. If. how ever, by the word conservative they mean that I have changed my position on any public question or moderated my opposition to corporate aggrandize- ment they hae a surprise waiting for khem. I am more radical than l was tn 1896, and have nothing to withdraw on economical questions which have been under discussion. The only ques- tfon we discussed in 1896 upon which there have been any apparent change is the silver question, and that has mot been a change in the advocates of bi-metallism but in conditions. We contended for more money and urged the free coinage of silver as the only means then in sight of securing 1t. The increased production of gold has brought in part the benefit we expect cd to secure from the restoration of silver. The per capita volume of money in the United States Is almost fifty per cent. greater now than it was in 1896. and the benefits brought by this increase have not only vindicated the quantftative theory of money but have proven the benefits of the larger amount of money. No advocate of the gold standard can claim the tri- umph Of this logic. I believe in bi- metallism, and believe that the res- toration of silver would bring still fur ther prosperity besides restoring par in exchange between gold and silver using countries, but I recognize, as do all other bi-metallfsts whom l have met abroad, that the unexpected and unprecedented increase in gold produc- tion has for the present removed the silver question as an issue.
 ''Whiie the money question has wan ed in importance other questions have been forging to the front, and to these questions we must apply the same principles we applied to the money question, and seek to secure the great est good to the greatest number by legislation that conforms. to the doc urine of equal rights for all and spe- cial privileges to none. On the new questions many will act with us who were against us on the money ques- tion, for, notwithstanding the discus sion of that question, millions did not understand it, and were frightened into opposition. We cannot expect the sup port of any one who is interested in taking advantage of the people either through trusts or through any other dllegitimate form of business. Our eff forts should be to distinguish between those corporations which are legitimate and those aggregatlons of wealth which are organized for the purpose of public plunder, and appeal for support to those only who are willing to have the government protect each person in the enjoyment of his own earnings.
 '"Fhe newspapers have been trying to create friction between what they call old friends and new friends in poli- tics. Those are friends who are work ing toward a common end, and each campaign brings to some extent a new alignment. In 1896 the party lost many democrats and was recruited by a great many who had been republicans up to that time, and we welcomed them. In 1900 some came back who were against us in 1896, and we did close the door against them. I have have no idea that the party will re- Quire tickets of admission in the com ing campaign. Usually parties are so anxious to secure recruits that past differences are not emphasized If there is sincere agreement on present issuesG | do not know that we can find a bet ter plan than the Bible plan, which admits the eleventh hour conner to place in the vineyard, and to share the reward with those who began ear iieE. I think this is sound politics as well as sound religion, provided the recruit comes to work and not to in- terfere with the other laborers. But of course when an overseer has to be selected experience cannot be left out of consideration. The worker who modest to assume an attitude of supe- riority over those who had toiled dur ing the earlier hours. While the ques- tion is one of purpose a man who rec ognizes the dangers that threaten our country, and is anxious to avert them, will not find it difficult to establish friendly relations with those who saw the dangers at an earlier time"