Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1906-09-13
Introductory Speech of
Latter Clements
Friendship.
is MUCH ENTHUSIASM
Nebraskan Declares Owner
ship May Not be Issue
in 1903.

Louisville, Ky, Sept 13.-Henry
Watterson met William Jennings Bry-
an and took him to his bosom again
here at the gateway TO the southland
yesterday. Arm in arm. beaming on
each. they entered the armory last
night, while 10000 Kentuckians stretch
ed their lungs in welcome.
It was the climax to a day of noise
in Louisville, which had not seen or
heard Bryan for two years. And the
little hatchet which WattersOn was
toying with a few days ago was no.
where in sight.
The principal feature of Bryan's
speech at the armory was a reiteration
of the belief in the government owner
skip of railroads. coupled with a state
ment that perhaps it might not be in
corporated in the next democratic
platform.
Is Ultimate Destiny.
Il stated in New York" he said.
that | had reached the conclusion
that railroadsparake so much of the
nature of monopoly that they must
ultimately become public property and
be managed by public officials in the
interests of the whole community I
added: Il do not know that the country
is ready for this legislation. | do not
know that the majority Of my own
party favors IL. but | believe that an
increasing number Of the members of
all parties see in public ownership a
sure remedy for discrimination be-
tween persons and places and for the
extortionate rates for the carrying of
freight and passengers.
L then proceeded to outline a sys-
TEN Of public ownership whereby the
advantages OF public ownership might
be secured 20 lie people without the
dangers Of central zatiOn. This sys-
tenn contemplltes federal ownership
of the trunk lines only. and the owner
ship of local lines by the several
states.
81 have tried to make it clear that
/ have expressed my own opinion, and
ye never sought to compel the ac-
ceptance OF my opinion by any one
else. Reserving the right to do my
thinking. a respect the right of every
one else to do his thinking.
81 have too much confidence IN the
Independent thought in my own party
to expect that any considerable num-
ber of democrats woU1d acknowledge
my right to do their thinking for them,
even if | were undemocratic enough
to assert such right.
May Not BE Issue.
IF YOU ask me whether the ques-
ton of government ownership will be
an issue in the campaign of 1908 |
answer. | do not know. IL you ask
me whether it ought TO be in the plat
form. ! reply. l cannot tell until |
know what the democratic voters
think upon the subject"
Mr.. Bryan was welcomed to Ken
lucky by his whilom opponent, Henry
Watterson. who presided over the
meeting. The other speakers preced-
ing Mr.. Bryan were Senator Carmack
of Tennessee, representing the south,
and Senator w. J. Stone of Missouri.
who introduced Mr. Bryan.
When Mr.. Bryan entered the hall
leaning on the arm of Mr.. Watterson
there was a demonstration that lasted
10 minutes, thousands OF flags being
waved in unison with the surges of
cheers that swept over the throAg.
Has Been BrSsn's Tutor.
As soon as the noise subsided Mr..
Watterson began his address of well
come. in which he spoke Of Mr.. Bryan
as follows:
Il recognize as our chieftain in this
conflict William Jennings
Bryan of Nebraska. The appeal TO the
moral nature of the people, which be