Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1906-09-01
If Democratic Party is
Dead Why So Few Re-
publican Candidates.
HIS RAILROAD IDEAS
Another Demonstration In Con.
nectieut Tour---Back In
New York.


from Bridgeport today, w. J. Bryan
was asked what he thought about the
argument of certain republicans that
President Roosevelt will be the next
logical republican candidate for pres
ident Mr.. Bryan said that if it were
true, as many republicans had declar-
ed, that he had completely destroyed
the democratic party, there ought to
bd dozens of able republicans who
would be available as candidates. but
it would appear that at least any re-
publican could win with the democrat
ic party wiped out. There would then
be no necessity of giving President
Roosevelt what would be regarded by
many as practically a third term. With
such an easy victory for the republi-
cans ahead, why, he asked. should not
somebody else be given chance.
Some to Oppose All Ideas.
When asked what he thought of the
criticism by democrats of his idea of
federal ownership of railroads, Mr..
Bryan said he had never advocated
anything that was not opposed in some
quarters. He was told that some SOUTH
ern democrats seemed alarmed lest
Jim Crow cars should be eliminated by
the adoption of his ideas of federal
ownership.
Bryan, in reply to this, said that va
Tious states owned the lines within
their borders and local laws would
continue to be enforced. He was ask
ed if he meant that negroes and whites
would be separated if the state had the
Jim Crow law, to which he replied that
the state laws would naturally hold
good 8n Ioeaf lines He did not care
at fHis time to discuss the details of
how the plan would affect the carriage
of whites and negroes on through lines
under federal control.
BRYAN expected to remain al the Vic
toria hotel until 2: 80 p. m, and then TO
attend an informal reception at the
National Democratic club. After that
he was scheduled TO make speech
at 4 p. m.
League Approves Speech.
New York, Sept. William Jen-
nings Bryan today received from the
American Antitrust League a letter
endorsing his speech Thursday night
in Madison Square garden, especially
that portion referring to the war on
trusts and government ownership OF
railroads.
Delivered Four Addresses.
New Haven, Sept. 1.-The visit OF
William j. Bryan to Connecticut yes
terday must have strongly reminded
him of the strenuous days during his
presidential campaigns, for he deliv-
cred four addresses. each one of con-
siderable length. attended two recep-
tions, and was the. center of handshak-
ing bees Whenever his admirers could
reach him. All this was crowded into
the hours between noon when he reach
ed this city and the hour of his re
tirement last night as the guest of for
mer Senator Archibald Mcneil of
Bridgeport.
Everywhere Bryan was heartily re-
ceived, although there was an abb
sence of street demonstrations both
here and in Bridgeport. His audiences.
however, at times were wildly entuhsi-
sstic, especially at the noon luncheon
here. Features of the day were the
luncheon and the conference of New
England democrats. At the former
Bryan was welcomed to the city and
the state with a cordiality that TO:
warmth has seldom been extended a
visitor and at the latter he stood be-
fore representative body of New Eng
land democrats and with great earnest
ness spoke of the great problems which
the party must face in the coming cam
paigns.
Never Good Breeding Place.
Bryan said in the course of his adj
dress that New England never had
been a good breeding place for
democracy: Jefferson had never con-
sidered it so; neither did Jackson"
Bryan left New Haven for Bridge
port shortly before 6 o'clock, in that
city, going to the home OF Mcneil for
dinner, and later addressing an audi
ence at the armory. Both of his main
addresses at the mass meetings were
along the lines of his address at Mad
ison Square garden last night.
Goes Back to New York.
Bridgeport Conn. Sept. 1.-William
J. Bryan left for New York on the
morning train. He expressed himself
as being in excellent condition for an