The French Broad hustler. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1896-1912, 1906-09-20
BRYAN'S PERSONAL VIEW.
Says He Will Not Insist Upon
Government Ownership of
Railroads.


livered an address of welcome of some
length.
/ When Mr.. Watterson pointed to Mr.
Bryan and said ''Here he is; God bless
him and give him WISDOM" the audience
yelled for five minutes. Mr.. Watterson
then introduced Senator Carmack, of
Tennessee, who addressed the gathering.
Senator Carmack was followed by Sena-
tor W. j. Stone, of Missouri, who intro
duced Mr.. Bryan. The demonstration
that greeted Mr.. Bryan on his entrance to
the hall was renewed as the Nebraskan
rose to speak. Following his response to
the welcome great hush fell on the crowd
when Mr.. Bryan announced that he would
read a statement concerning a topic
which had been generally discussed since
he had touched on it during his speech at
New York"
He then read his statement which in
part follows
Views on Government Ownership.
''In my speech at the New York recep-
ton l made some remarks concerning the
ownership of railroads, and thought that
had expressed myself so clearly that my
position could not be misconstrued even by
those who desire to misconstrue it. The
New York speech was prepared in ad-
Vance. 1t was not only written but it was
carefully revised. 1t stated exactly what
wanted TO state and have nothing to
withdraw or modify in the statement
therein made. What say tonight is
rather in the nature of an elaboration of
ideas therein presented.
"After quoting from the democratic
platform of 1900, that "a private monopoly
is indefensible and intolerable,' and after
laying it down as principle that public
ownership should begin where competition
end, and that the people should have the
benefit of any monopoly that might be
found necessary. l stated that had
fesaehed the conclusion, that railroads
partake so much Of the nature of mon
opoly that they must ultimately become
public property and be managed by pub
lie officials in the interest of the whole
community l added: Il do not know
that the country Is ready for this legisla-
tion; do not know that the majority of
my own party favors 1t, but believe that
an increasing number of the members of
all parties SET in public ownership a sure
remedy for discrimination between persons
nj nd for fha
for the carrying of freight and passengers. ,
System Of Ownership Outlined.
Il then proceeded To outline system of
public ownership whereby the advantages
of public ownership might he secured to
the people without the dangers of CEN
,ralization. This system contemplates
Federal ownership of the trunk lines only
and the ownership of local lines by the
several states. | further expressed it as
nv opinion that the railroads themselves
were responsible for the growth of senti-
ment for government ownership, and said
while believed the rate bill recenely en-
acted should be given a fair trial, we
might expect to See the railroads still more
active in politics unless our experience
with then differs from the experience. we
had had with franchise holding corpora
tlOns. This statement of my views has
been assailed by some as an attempt to
force these views upon the democratic par
ty, and by some as an announcement of
an intention to insist upon the incorpora-
ton of these views in the next democratic
national platform.
'Let me answer these two charges. I
haYe tried to max it clear that expressed
nv own opinion and l have never sought
to compel the acceptance of my opinion
by one else. Reserving the right to do my
thinking, 1 respect the right of every
one else to do his thinking.
| 'If you ask me whether the question of
government ownership will be an issue in
the campaign of 1858, l answer, do not
know. II you ask me whether it ought to
be in the platform, reply, I cannot tel
until know what the democratic voters
think upon the subject. If the democrats
believe that the next platform should con-
tain plank in favor CT government own
ership then that plank ought to be includ-
ed. If the democrats think it ought not
to contain such plank then such plank
| ought not to be Included. II rests with
the party TO make the platform and in
diyiduals can only advise.
| Spoke for Himself OnIy.
81 spoke for myself and for myself only,
and did not know how the suggestion
would be received. am now prepared to
confess to you that it has been received
more favorably than expected. There is
this, however, that do expect, namely,
that these democrats who oppose govern-