New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-09-19
GETTING TOGETHER.

Some ingenious attempts are being made 10
minimize the importance Of Mr.. Bryan's dec
laratton IN favor OF government ownership and
operation OF the railroads by Democrats who
shy at what they call a policy OF paternaEsm
and Capitalization, but yet are willing 10 sup
port for the Presidency IN 1908 the most con-
spicuous and outspoken advocate OF that policy.
The Hon Augustus Octavfus Bacon, an anti
patsrnalist OF the Southern school, recently re-
nominated for Senator by the same state con-
vention IN Georgia which unanimously Endorsed
Mr.. Bryan as a Presidential candidate. thinks
that there is little need for worrying over the
Nebraska statesmans railroad programme. He
says he does not understand that Mr.. Bryan
wants 10 have the government take over the
railroads unless regulation through the agency
OF federal commission proves q failure. But
be argues, the Hepburn law cannot DO fairly
tested IN one year or in two years, and gov
eminent ownership cannot therefore be made
an issue IN the campaign OF 1908. Moreover.
Mr.. Bacon adds. II the Democratic party does
not favor government ownership las IN his
opinion, II does not. the next national conven-
ton can simply adopt a resolution expressing
in no uncertain terms its opposition TO such a
venture into the field OF state socialism.
This is in itself straightforward and credit
able suggestion. But It leaves one important
factor out Of the reckoning. The Democratic
party has had one painful experience trying 10
write its own views into a platform on which
Mr.. Bryan was 10 stand for the Presidency.
There is little doubt that a majority OF the dele
gates at Kansas City In 1900 would gladly have
thrown the free silver coinage issue overheard
But Mr. Bryan wouldn't let them" He wrote
the money plank himself IN Lincoln and told
the managers at Kansas City that II they
wanted him as a Presidential nominee they
the 50-cent standard Democratic conventions
all over the country are indorsins Mr. Bryan.
Even since his Madison Square Garden speech
five states-Georgia. Delaware California, Colo
RADIO and Wyoming-have pledged him their sup
port IN 1905. II the next convention meets with
no other candidate IN sight, Will It feel disposed
TO repeat the Kansas City experiment. VIII It
not gracefully accept the logic OF the situation
and silently swallow its scruples against cen
uallzatOn and paternalism"?
We think that the Democratic anti-paternsI-
lists now planning 20 write an nti-goyernment
ownership plank into the next national platform
could learn something in diplomacy from Colo
mel Henry Watterson. The colonel Is as ardent
a Zoe OF Capitalization as draws breath any
where south Of the Potomac and the Ohio. But
he has been in politics too long TO clash use
lessly with the logic OF any given situation Mr..
and with a leader one cannot wrestls over
tihing differences in opinion. Colonel Waiter
son can see in government ownership Of the
railroads only the crash OF our constitutional
temple and the dissolution OF the Republic Yet
he tries 10 be resigned aud openminded. He
viii not start dlssensiOns. "One Of the things
l have learned" he said in introducing Mr.
Bryan at Louisville recently, has been 10 look
more TO the objective point and less 10 non
"essenuals-on great occasions 10 send all
minor differences 10 the rear the better 10
march against the common enemy" This Is
a truly philosoQhic mood and should be COM
mended 70 disturbed and timid Democratic
statesmen. Why worry about Mr.. Bryan's DUR
poses or opinionsf His heart is IN the right
place and his objective point can be taken
on trust. Trivial details OF policy like the op
Grafton or the nations transportation facilities
should not stand IN the way OF union and con-
cord within the party