The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-07-13
Discussion of sConserva-
 tiye'' and Radical. ]"
DECLARES THAT HE IS BOTH
Has Not Changed His Views on
 Important Questions.
Eree silver Issue, He says, Has Been Removed From Considerations By Increase in Production
 sf Gold.

London, July 12.--William J. Bryan, having had the opportunity of read ing American newspapers consented to- day to discuss some of the questions become prominent as a presidential possibility for 1903 He said:
 T notice that I am. now described by some as conservative and In order that there may be no mfsunderstand- ing on that subject. permit me to say that in one sense I always have been conservative. The Democratic poli- ctes are conservative in that they eui- body old principles applied to new con ditions. There was nothing new in principle in either of the platforms on which I stood. We were accused Of attacking property when in, fact the Democratic party Is the defender of property because 1t endeavors to draw the line between honest accumu- lation by honest methods on the one side and predatory wealth and ina moral methods on the other. ft is to the interest of every honest man that dishonesty be exposed and punished; otherwise the deserving are apt to suffer for the undeserving
 'If. however. by the word conser- vative they mean that have changed my position on any public question or moderated my opposition to corporate aggrandizement. they have . surprise waiting for them. I am more radical than I was in 1s9s and have nothing to withdraw on economical questions which have been under discussion.
 The only question which we dis- cussed in 1896 upon which there has been any apparent change Is the sil- yer question and that has not been a change In the advocates of bi-metall- ism but in condition. We contended for more 9money and urged the free aa g&f alIUAT aN AfffW rrA4nH then in sight for securing t.
 Silver Issue Removed.
 "The production of gold has brought in part the benefit we expected to see cure from the restoration of silver. The peg capita volume of mouay h the greatef than 1t was in 1886 and the benefits brought by this increase have not only vindicated the cumulative theory of money but have proven the benefits of the larger amounts of money. No advocate of the gold standard can claim the triumph of his logic.
 T believe in bimetallism and be- iieve that the restoration of silver would bring still further prosperity, bAsides restoring par In exchange be- tween gold and silver using countries: but recognize, as do all other bimet- allists whom have met abroad, that
 
 crease in gold production has for the present removed the silver question as an issue.
 While the money question has wan ed in importance, other questions have been forging to the front, and to these questions we must apply the '. same principles we applied to the money question and seek to secure the great est good to the greatest number by legislation which conforms to the doc- Urine of equal rights for all and special privileges for none.
 'on the new questions many will act with us who were against us on the money. question, for notwithstanding the discussion of that question, mill lions did not understand 1t and were frightened into opposition. We can not expect the support of any one who is interested in taking advantage of the people either through trusts or any other illegitimate form of busi- ness. Our efforts should be to distin- guish between those corporations which are organized for purposes of public plunder and appeal for support To those only who are willing to have the government protect each person In the enjoyment of his own earnings.
 Attempt to Create Friction.
 'The newspapers have been trying to create friction between what they call old friends and new friends in poli- ties These are friends who are work ing toward a common end, and every campaign brings to some extent a new alignment. Tn 1896 the party lost many Democrats and was recruited by a great many who had been Republicans up to that time and we welcomed them. In 1900 some came back who were against us in 1898 and we did not shut the door against them. I have no idea that the party will require tickets of admission in the coming campaign Uusually parties are SO anxious to se- cure recruits that past differences are not emphasized if shere is sincers agreement on present issues.
 T do not know that we can better plan than the Bible plans, which admits the eleventh hour conner to place in the vineyard and to share the reward with those who began earlier. I think this sound politics as well as sound religion provided the new recruit comes to work and not to interfere with the other la- borers But, of course when an over seer has to be selected experience can not be left out of consideration. The worker who came late would, if hou- est, be too modest to assume an atti- tude of superiority over those who had toiled during the earlier hours.
 while the question Is one of pur- pose, a man who recognizes the oan gers that threaten our country and Is anxious to avert them will not find it dificuit to establish friendly relations with those who saw the dangers at an earlier date.
 If the differences between the sim rere and the pretended friends of re- form cannot be discovered before, they will become apparent when fho platform is written; for If present indications count for anything that platform is likely to be so plain that no one can mistake 1t and so strong that no en- emy of Democratic principles will be drawn to the party"
 MT. Bryan added he would discuss the trust, tariff. railroad and labor questions, imperialism and other Issues when he reached America.