The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1906-08-31
BRYAN EXPOUNDS
PRINCIPLES Of
DEMOCRACY
Continued From First Page.)

Continued From First Page.)
debts in the United States, neither do
we put men to death because of their
failure to pay what they owe and our
moral prestige as well as our CONNER
cial interest will be conserved by assuring
all nations that American investments de-
pend for protection upon the laws of the
country to which the investors go.
Colonial Experiment.
Before leaving international politics,
let me add that our nation has lost pres
tige rather than gained it by our expert
ment in colonialism We have given the
monarchist chance to ridicule our dec
laration of independence and the scoffer
has twitted us with the inconsistency A
tour through the Philippines has deepen
ed the conviction that we should lose no
time in announcing our purpose to deal
with the Filipinos as we dealt with the
Cubans.. Every consideration CONNER
cial and political, leads to this conclus-
ion. Such ground as we may need for
coaling stations or for a naval base will
be gladly conceded by the Filipinos, who
simply desire an opportunity to work out
their own destiny, inspired by our ex-
ample and aided by our advice. In so far
as our efforts have been directed to-
ward the education of the Filipinos we
have rendered them a distinct service,
but in educating them we must recognize
that We are making colonialism impos-
sible. If we intended to hold them as
subjects We would not dare to educate
them. Self government with ultimate
independence must be assumed If we
contemplate universal education in the
Philippines. AS soon as opportunity of
fers I shall discuss the Philippine question
more at length and shall also refer to
English rule in India for 1t throws light
upon our own problems in the Philippines,
but these subjects must be reserved until
can speak more in detail
System of Government.
In several of the nations Of Europe. the
legislative department of government is
more quickly responsive to public senti-
ment than is our Congress. In England
for instance. where the ministry is form
ed from the dominant party. when an
election is held upon any important is
sue the government proceeds to put into
law the will of the people expressed at
the polls. While our system Is superior
in many respects it has one defect, viz:
That Congress does not meet in regular
session until thirteen months after the
election. During this period there is I'M
certainty, long drawn out, which to the
business community is often more dam
aging than a change of policy promptly
carried into effect. Would not the situa-
he fy,,yar hx- if,,fi 1y,a n
amendment converting the first session
of Congress within a few months after
the election and compelling the second
session to adjourn several days before
the following election? Such a change
would not only serve legitimate buiness
interests and give the public the benefit
of more relief through remedial legisla-
ton. but it would protect the people from
the jobs that are usually reserved for
the short session which is now held af-
ter the election and when many of the
members feel the less responsibility be-
cause Of their defeat at the polls.
Election of Senators.
/ return more convinced than before Of
the Importance of a change in the meth
cd of electing United States Senators.
There is noticeable everywhere a dis
tinct movement toward democracy in its
broadcast sense. In all the countries
which 1 have visited there is a demand
that the government be brought nearer
the people. In China a constitution is
under consideration In Japan the people
are demanding that the ministry instead
of being chosen by the Emperor from
among his particular friends shall be Sc
lected from parliament and be in harmony
with the dominant sentiment; in India
there is agitation in favor of native
congress; in Russia, the Car has been
compelled to recognize the popular voice
in the establishment of a douma and
throughout Europe the movement mani
tests itself in various forms. In the
United States this trend toward Democ-
racy has taken the form of a growing
demand for the election of United States
Senators by a direct vote of the peo-
pie. 1t must be difficult to over eSti-
mate the strategic advantage of this re-
form, for since every bill must receive
the sanction of the Senate as well as of
the House of Representatives before it
can become a alw and no important legis-
lation of a national character is possible
until the Senate is brought into harmony
with the people. / am within the limits
of the truth when 1 say that the Sem
ate has been for some years the bulwark
of predatory wealth and that it even now
contains so many members who owe their
election OF favor seeking corporations
and are so subservient to their masters
as to prevent needed legislation. The
popular branch of Congress has four times
declared in favor of this reform by
two thirds vote and more than two
thirds Of the States have demanded 1t,
and yet the Senate arrogantly and i'm
pudently blocks the way.
The Income Tax.
The income tax which some In our
country have denounced as socialistic
attack upon wealth has, / am pleased to
report, the endorsement of the most con-
servative countries in the Old World. 1t
is a permanent part of the financial sys-
tenn of most of the countries OF Europe
and in many places it is graded tax,
the rate being highest upon the largest
incomes. England has long depended up