Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1906-09-13
BRYAN EXPLAINS
His New York Speech On
Government Ownership
By Asserting That It Was His
Own Views and His Alone.
Seeks to Square Himself, Finding Speech
Has Such Strong Opposition.

| Louisville, KY, Sept. 12.-EnterinS
| the South land for the first time in 20
years, VIM. ]. Bryan today was well
coined with spontaneous gladness. He
seized the opportunity to make state
mcnt in explanation of his New York
| speech on government ownership of
| railroads.
Bryan's arrival in the city provoked
a great outburst of reclamation from
| thousands on the streets. His reception
at the Armory tonight, where he ad-
dressed 10000 persons, was wildly en-
| thusiastic.
| When Mr. Bryan entered the hall on
| the arm of Mr. Watterson there was a
demonstration that lasted 10 minutes,
thousands of flags waving with the
surges of cheers that swept over the
| throng. AS soon as the noise subsidized
MIR. Watterson began his address of
welcome.
| Senator Carmack Of Tennessee fol-
lowed Mr.. Watterson with a brief
speech and Senator w. ]. StCne OF
Missouri introduced Mr.. Bryan, who
said that he would read a statement on
a topic which had been generally dis
cussed since he had touched upon it
during his speech at New York. He
| then read his statement which in part
follows:
"In my speech at the New York re-
/ ception made some remarks concern
ing the government ownership OF rail-
roads and thought that 1 had eX-
pressed myself so clearly that my po-
sition could not be misconstrued even
by those who desire to misconstrue.
What 1 say tonight is rather in the ma
ture of an elaboration of the ideas than
| presented.
CATER quoting from the Democratic
| platform of 1900 that a private monop-
oily is indefensible and intoleraole' ana
after laying it down as principle that
public ownership should begin when
| competition ends, and that the people
have the benefit of any monopoly mat
| might be found necessary. stated thal
/ I had reached the conclusion that fali-
roads partake so much of the nature OF
a monopoly that they must ultimately
become public property and be man
aged by public officers in the interests
i of the whole community.
"This statement of my view has been
assaulted by some as an attempt 10 force
these views upon the Democratic party
and by some as an announcement OF an
intention to insist upon the incorpora-
/ ton of these views in the next Demo-
| cratic national platform.
| LET me answer the two charges. l
have tried to make clear that 1 ex-
pressed my own opinion ano nave
never sought to compel the acceptance
of my opinion by anyone else. ReserV-
ing the right to do my thinking, re-
spect the right of everyone else to do
his own thinking.
| eff YOU ask me whether the question
of government ownership will be an is
sue in the coming campaign answer
L do not If you ask me whether 1t
ought to be in the platform, l reply,
cannot tell until l know what the
| Democratic voters think upon the SUD-
| jcct If the Democrats believe that the
next platform should contain a plank
| in favor of government ownership then
| that plank ought to be included. IL
the Democrats think it ought not to
contain such plank, then such plank
ought not to be included. l have spok-
1 en- for myself and for myself only, and
1 did not know how the suggestion
would be received. / am now prepared
to confess to you that it has been re-
ceived more favorably than I expect
ed. | do not expect that those Demo-
Gratis who oppose public ownership will
accompany their declaration against it
with the assertion that they will favor
governmentship whenever they are
convinced that the country must
choose between governmentship of the
roads and railroads ownership of the
government.
| Il still advocate strict regulation
and shall rejoice if experience proves
that that regulation can be made eff
fective. / will go father than that and
say that / believe we can have MOI e
efficient regulation under a Democratic
administration with Democratic Sen
have under a Republican administra-
tion with a Republican Senate and
House.
| Among the reasons that have led
| me to believe that we must in the end
| look to government ownership for re-
| lief. I shall mention two or three
| First, and foremost is the corrupting
| influence of the railroad in politics.
When the President found the Demo-
cratic platform insisted upon reguIat-
ing he was met with the opposition
of the railroads and every point gained
in favor of the people was gained after
a strenuous fight.
Il have no idea that the railroads
are going to permit regulation without
struggle. and I fear that their in
fluence will be strong enough to delay.
if 1t does not entirely defeat remedial
| Legislation.
Another reason which has led me
TO favor government ownership is the
fact that the people are annually plum