Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1906-08-24
Democratic Platform Material.

Democratic Platform Material.
II seems that Mr.. Bryan is as pro.
gressivc in announcing new policies as
he has been persistent in support of
those he has held until changed condi-
tons, and not mistaken judgment,
have finally relocated to the rear, pro-
badly for q time or it may be for eter.
nifty.
At Zurich, on the ID inst, he gave
his views on certain forms Of public
ownership Of utilities, with special
reference to railroads, both interstate
and within States. His examination
Of the working of public utilities
abroad has been of service to him in
forming his opinions, and he is con-
WINGED that on larger arteries OF travel
and commerce government manage
ment may be effectively and profit
ably employed. His plan admits of
the ownership Of certain trunk lines
by the government. in order that the
through service may not, in any way
suffer impairment, but he strenuously
insists that the local lines, in every
State, be owned by each separate State,
thus preserving more effectively the
idea of State Individuality, which in
his opinion, would, in time, be wiped
out if all lines should pass under Fed
eral control; and the enormous pa.
tronage that would be the result Of
such railroad management in this
country, would serve to entrench the
party in power, and finally accomplish
what the party has so long feared, the
abolition OF State boundaries.
To the objection that interstate ser.
vice might be seriously impaired by a
confusion resulting from operation OF
two or more separate systems, he says
his observation OF practical workings
convinces him that no such trouble
arises. He travelled from Amsterdam,
Holland, to Cologne, Germany, and
did not leave his seat in comfortable
train, from one city to the other, ex.
cept for Identification OF his baggage
before the custom officials at the Dor
der. The Orient Express crosses daily
and nightly, from Paris over other
national borders, without the slight.
est disturbance, and he thinks it would
not be more difficult to pass from
Illinois, Indiana or Ohio, to the tracks
owned by the sister State, Kentucky.
This view of the expediency Of pub
lie ownership is modified and con-
trolled by common sense at every
point. He considers the subject from
q broad standard, the one which pro.
badly his party will adopt in its next
declaration OF principles.
1t seems quite probable, from ex.
pressions made by Mr.. Bryan while in
London, that he will come out boldly
for a constitutional amendment that
may eliminate in a graduated income
tax that will lift a burden from the
shoulders OF the poor without imposing
any perceptible load upon those hav.
ing ample means to pay in proportion
to the protection accorded them.
Alvah II. Clark, of New Jersey, a
prominent Democrat who fought Mr..
Bryan, 10 the Resolutions committee
at st. Louis, and voted for Mckinley
in 1900, declaring Republicans were
the true Democrats, met Mr.. Bryan
when abroad, on q Rhine steamship,
when an ovation was accorded Bryan
by several hundred Americans, and
many Europeans representing every
nation. They had Q long talk and
fully agreed upon all important meas.
ures, and it was evident that he is one
OF the off-shoots OF the party that has
returned to the fold. Mr.. Clark, it is
said, did not even take issue on the
income tax suggestion, which was one
OF the measures discussed.