Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1906-09-13
MR.. BRYAN THE SOUTH.

mory was attended by IL, 900 persons.
Henry Watterson, former opponent,
made ringing speech, in which ne de-
clsred himself in entire accord with the
visitors views.
Senator Carmack, 10 bis address, as
serted his belief that the principle oil
bimetallism right, is though the question
had been removed from the field OF dis
cussion, and declared that government
ownership of railroads should be regard
ed only as last resort.
| Mr. Bryan read stat emeut explain
ing his Madison Square Garden speech
on government ownership of railroads,
saying be expressed merely bis per-
sonal opinions and had 10 thought OF
forcing them on the parry. He said:
sin my speech at the New York recep-
ton | made some remarks concerning
the government ownership Of railways,
and thought that had expressed myself
50 clearly that my position could not be
misconstrued, even by those who desired
to misconstrue it. The New York speech
was prepared 10 advance. 1t was not
only written, but 1t was carefully revised.
1t stated exactly what wanted to state,
and have nothing to withdraw or mod
ify in the statement therein made. What
I say tonight is rather in the nature OF
an elaboration of the ideas therein pre-
scented.
"After quoting FROM ! he democratic
platform OF 1900 that a private monop-
oily Is indefensibe and intolersble, and
after laying il down as a principle that
public ownership should begin where
competition ends, and that the people
should have the benefit of any monopoly
that might be found necessary, | stated
that had reached the conclusion that
railroads partake so much of the nature
of monopoly that they must ultimately
become public property and be managed
BY public officials in the interest OF the
whole country Aud ! added; Il do
not know that the country is ready for
this legislation. do net know that the
majority OF my own party fsvora it, but
| relieve that an incress ng number OF
the members of all parties see in public
ownership sure remedy for discrimins-
lion between persons and places and for
the extorlionaIe rates for the carrying OF
freight and passengers.
al then proceeded to outline system
of public ownership whereby the advan-
tsges of pnblic ownership might be
secured to the people without the dangers
of Capitalization. This system contem-
plates Federal ownership of the trunk
lines only and the ownership of the local
lines by the several States. | further
expressed IL as my opinion that the rail
roads themselves we're responsible Tor
The growth of The sentiment in favor OF
public ownership, and said that, while !
believed that the rate bill recently enact
ed should be given iair trial, we might
expect to see the railroads still more
active 10 politics unless rur experience
with them differed from the experience
we had had with franchise holding cor
porations.
"This statement of NY views has been
sssailed by some as an attempt to force
these views upon the democratic party
aud by some ~ an announcement OF al
intention to insist upon the incorpors-
ton Of these views in the next demo-
cratic national platform.
"Let me answer these two charges. |
have tried to make it clear that | ex-
pressed my own opinion, and have
never sought to compel the acceptance of
my opinion by anyone else. Reserving
the right to do my own thinking ! re-
spect the right of every one else to do his
thinking.
"If you ask me whether the question
of government ownership will be an Is
sue in the campaign of 1908, 1 answer,
| do not know. If you ask me whether
it ought to be in The platform, reply,
cannot tell until | know what the
democratic voters think upon the sub
ject. If the democrats believe that the
next platform should contain plank 10
favor of government ownership, then
that plank ought to be included If the
democrats think il ought rot to contain
such plank, then such q plank ought
not TO be included. II rests with the
party to make the laticrm, aud indi-
vidusls can only advise.
II have spoken for myself and for
myself only, and did not know how the
suggestion would be received. | am now
prepared to confess TO you that II has
been received more favorably than | ex
pected. There is tbis, however, that |
do expert; namely, that those democrats
who oppose government ownership will
accompany their declaration against it
with the assertion that they will favor
government ownership shenever they
are consiced that the country must
choose between government ownership OF
the roads srd railroad ownership Of the
government.
81 still advocate strict regulation and
all rejoice If experience proves that that
regulation can be made effective. will
90 further than that, and say that | be-
lieve we can have more efficient regula-
ton under the democratic administra-
ton, with democratic Senate and
House, than we are likely to have under
republican administration, with re-
publican Senate AID House., aud YET |
would not be honest If did not frankly
admit that observation has convinced
me that no such efficient regulation is
possible that government ownership can
be undertaken on the plan outlined With
less danger TO the country than Is in
volved in private ownership IS we have
had it o. as we are likely to have II.
"Among the reasons that led me to
believe that we must 10 the end look to