The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-08-31

Deen accorueu 10 a prlVAte clIlzen Wdo given to William Jennings Bryan at Madison Square tonight in the ceie- bration of his return from years ab- sence in foreign travel
 As the guest of the Commercial Travellers Antitrust League, Mir. Bryan was greeted by more than 2O.- to0 persons who filled the great struc- ture from floor to upper gallery: At the same time the streets and avenues outside the garden were choked for blocks by other thousands who stood patiently for hours for the privilege of even getting a glance at the distin- guished visitor. The interior of the Garden was a waving sea of color. Ev- cry person in the audience had been provided with a miniature American nag and every cheer from 10000 throats was accentuated by the waving of 10000 tiny staffs bearing the stars and stripes.
 When Chairman Tom L. Johnson, in his introduction of Mir. Bryan referred 10 the guest of the evening as the first citizen, if not the first official of the land--not yet the first official,'' and MT. Bryan rose, the great gather ing broke out in unrestrained cheer ing, while the band played Hail to the Chief"
 So touched was Mir. Bryan by the welcome that as he stood waiting for the cheers to subside his eyes filled with tears and he strode nervously from side to side of the narrow plat form.
 How can thank you for this well come homer he said.
 did not consecrate itself to your ser vice. It was kind to prepare this re- ception. It was kind of Governor Folk to come here all the way from Mis- souri, It was kind of Tom Johnson, that example of the moral courage we so much need in this country. to lend kIs presence here.
 It was kind in you to fully recom- pense me in being absent so long from my native land. I thank you. return to the land of my birth more proud of my citizenship than ever before"
 Series of Ovations.
 The homecoming of William J. Bryan was made complete tonight when he was greeted in Madison Square Garden by throng of welcomers numbering more than 10000. It was such a wei |. come as seldom, if ever before, was ac- corded a. private citizen.
 Mir. Bryan's eyes were filled with tears as he stood and acknowledged the thunders of welcome from twenty thousand throats. For eight minutes, "ull0 the BdTueu seemed 10 sway and shake from the shouts and applause. he strode nervously from side to side of the platform, only once during the entire evening was there anything ap- preaching such a demonstration. That was when the speaker told his hearers that he had been converted to the cause of government ownership of rail- roads.
 T favor the control of only the trunk lines by the national govern ment," said Mir. Bryan, "and the owner ship of all other railroads by the State geveEnfnents'
 In an instant. thousands of voices were raised and thousands of faces were turned toward the side of the building opposite the speakers stand. where William Randolph Hearst sat.
 Three cheers for Hearst" was the cry. which swelled until the speakers voice was drowned for a moment.
 Tonight's- reception, which was given under the auspices of the. Commercial Travellers Antitrust League, proved really to be the sounding of the Demo- cratic campaign call. MT. Bryan's speech was a clear-cut outline of his ideas as to what the Democratic policy should be.
 The election of United States Sena- tors by the people; regulation of the trusts by the government; a universal eight hour day; settlement of all inter- national disputes by arbitration rather than by force. and revision of the tar if-were some of his points.
 MT. Bryan declared, however. that he was merely expressing his own opinion. and not attempting to forecast the pol icy of his party.
 Trusts the Great Issue.
 MT. Bryan declared that the trusts were the great issue of the day He fa- vored the closest supervision ot' the or ganization of corporations and declar- ed that no man should be director of two or more corporations which deal with each other, or engage in the same line of business. He called for the en- forcement of the criminal clause or the sherman antitrust law.
 He went into the question or the Government ownership of the failroaos' and declared that what be had seen Tn other countries had served to strength en his conviction on the subject. He saw danger in centralization, however, and for this reason advocated Federal ownership of trunk lines and State ownership of local lines
 The speaker scored the Republican Congress for not passing the legisla- tion urged by President Roosevelt giv- ing publicity to campaign contributions b,,t gave the President some praise for what he termed his adoption of Democratic ideas. MT. Bryan said he hoped the income tax might some day ha imposed through an amendment to inc constitution. He referred briefly to the recent insurance investigation, and said smilingly that he believed the disclosures made would result in diff ficulty in securing large campaign con tributions in the future.
 On the financial question. Mir. Bryan said the unexpected and unprecedented