Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1906-08-31
Bryan Sounds the Democratic Idea

! Moved 10 tears by the warmth. the
cordiality and the sincerity of his wei
come home from foreign lands, w. j.
Bryan. in spirit of earnestness
equal to that which entered
into the reception by his coun-
trymen, enunciated the democratic
doctrine of the forthcoming campaign
last night. In Madison Square garden.
where occurred the eliminating Incl
dent of the days events in New York
in his honor. Bryan, in his surprising
eloquence and in dictiOn characteristic
OF the man, set forth principles
that cannot fail to appeal TO every
thinking American.
| 1t was day of triumph for the great
commoner, for Notwithstanding his sim
pie. democratic ways and sentiments,
| the procession that escorted him
through the streets of the metropolis
was likened unto an imperial pageant
passing through myriads of waving ma
tional flags. Responding to such a
magnificent ovation, Bryan spoke not
only logical. but hopeful prophecy.
What better national platform could be
written than such an one as this. taken
from Bryan's main utterances last
night:
| Colonial PoIicy.-"A tour through the
Philippine islands has deepened the
conviction that we should lose no time
in announcing our purpose to deal with
the Filipinos as we dealt with the Gu
bans
| Congress.-'A constitutional amend
ment converting the first session of
congress within a few months after
election and compelling the second ses-
sion to adjourn several days before the
following election should be adopted
I'm the United States this trend to-
ward democracy has taken the form OF
a growing demand for the election OF
United States senators by a direct vote
of the people"
Income Tax.-'I am so convinced of
the justice of the income tax that | feel
sure that the people will sooner or
later demand an amendment to the
constitution which will specifically au-
| thorize an income tax
Capital and Labor.-''In advocating
arbitration of differences between large
corporate employers and their employees
| believe we are defending the highest
interests of the three parties to these
disputes, viz: the employers, the en-
ploye and the public The employee
cannot be turned over to the employer
to be dealt with as the employer may
please"
Eight Hour Day.-"The struggle for
an eight-hour day is an international
struggle and it is sure to be settled in
favor of the worllingman's contention"
Money Observation-Disclosures con-
ditions have removed the cause of our
| differences. The unlocked for and I'M
precedented increase in the production
of gold has brought a victory TO both
the advocate of gold and the advocate
Of bimetallism."
Corporations and Campaign Condi-
| tions.-"I hope that the democratic
party will not only challenge the re
/ publican party to bring forward effec-
tive legislation on this subject. but
will set an example by refusing TO re-
ceive campaign contributions from cor
porations and by opening the books so
that every contributor of any consid-
cradle sum may be known to the pub
lie before the election"
Trusts.-"Our motto must be: a
private monopoly is indefensible and in
tolerable,' and our plan of attack must
contemplate the total and complete
overthrow of the monopoly principle in
industry"
| Corporations.-"If the corporations
were required to take out a federal
license the federal government could
then issue the license upon terms and
conditions which would protect the
lpublic.'
Tariff.-"The principle embodied in
the protective tariff has been the fruit
full source of great deal of political
corruption, as well as the support of
many of our most ubiquitous trusts
The high tariff has long been bur
den to the consumers in the United
States. and it is growing more and
more menace to our foreign COM
merce because it arouses resentment
and provokes retaliations"
Government Ownership.-'I have al
ready reached the conclusion that rail-
roads partake so much of the nature of
monopoly that they must ultimately
become public property and be man
aged by public officials in the interest
of the whole community, in accordance
with the well defined theory that pub
lie ownership is necessary where COM
petition is impossible"
Believing, however, that the opera
ton of all railroads by the federal gov
Iernment would result in a centraliza-
ton which would all but obliterate
; state lines, 1 prefer to see only the