The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-07-13
SANE OLD BRYAN
The Democratic Leader Says He
Has Not Changed.
Unless It Is That He Has Grown
More Radical.
NOTHING TO RETRACT.
He Is Still Believer in Double
Monetary Standard.
The Party Ranks will Be Open
to All Corners.

London, July 13.-William J. Bryan,
having had the opportunity of reading
American newspapers, consented to dis
cuss some of the questions which have
been raised since he has again become
prominent as a presidential possibility.
He said:
Il notice that am now described by
some as conservative. and in order that
there may be no misunderstanding on
that subject, permit me to say that in
one sense I always have been a conserv-
ative. The Democratic policies are con-
servative in that they embody old prin-
ciples applied to new conditions. There
was nothing new in principle in either
of the platforms on which I stood If,
however, by the word conservative they
mean that I have changed my position
on any public question or moderated
my opposition to corporate aggrandize-
nent, they have a surprise waiting Tor
them. 1 am more radical than 1 was
in 1896, and have nothing to withdraw
on economic questions which have been
under discussion.
THE only question we discussed in
1896 upon which there has been any
apparent change is the silver question,
and that has not been a. change in the
advocate of bimetalism, but in cond1-
tions We contended for more money,
the only means then in sight of secur-
ing 1t. The increased production of
gold has brought In part the benefit
we expected to accrue from the restor-
alton of silver. The per capita volume
of money in the United States is almost
so per cent greater now than it was in
1895, and the benefits brought by this
increase have not only vindicated the
ouantitative theory of money, but have
proven the benefits of the larger amount
of money. No advocate of the gold
standard can claim the triumph
of his logic.
4 believe in bimetalism, and I believe
that the restoration of silver would
bring still further prosperity, besides
restoring par in exchange between gold
and silver using countries, but 1 recog-
nize, as do all other bimetalists whom
have met abroad, that the unexpected
and unpr ejudiced increase In gold pro
duction has for the present removed
the silver question as an issue
wv hile the money question has waned
in Importance other questions have been
forging to the front. and to these ques-
, tions we must apply the same principles
we applied to the money question, and
seek to secure the greatest good to the
greatest number by legislation which
conforms to the doctrine of equal rights
for all and special privileges for none.
"On the new questions many will act
with MS who were against US on the
money question for notwithstanding
did not understand it, and were fright
ened into opposition. We can not ex-
pect the support of anyone who is in
terested in taking advantage of the
people, either through trusts or through
any other iilegitimate form of business.
Our efforts should be to distinguish be-
tween those corporations which are legi-
innate and those aggregations Of wealth
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.
s'The newspapers have been trying TO
create friction between what they call
old friends in politics. Those are friends
who are working toward a common end,
and each campaign brings to some ex-
tent a new alignment. In 1896 the party
lost many Democrats and was recruited
by a great many who had been Repub-
leans up to that time, and we welcomed
them In 1900 some came back who
were against us in 1896, 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.
'sI do not know that we can find a bet
ter plan than the Bible plan, which ad-
rnits the eleventh hour conner to a place
In the vineyard and to share the reward
with those who began earlier. think
this sound politics as well as sound re
Hgion provided the new recruit comes
to work. and not interfere with the 9th
er laborers But, of course. when ar
overseer has to be selected experience
cannot be left out of consideration. The
worker who came late would, if honest
be too modest to assume an attitude oi
superiority over those who had toileo
1 during the earlier hours. While the
question is one of purpose. a man who
| recognizes the dangers that threaten oul
| country and is anxious to avert then
will not find it difficult to establish
/ -
danger at an earlier date"
Mr. Bryan added that he would dis
cuss the trust. tariff. railroad and labol
questions. imperialism and other issue:
at length when he reached America.
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