New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-09-01
BRYAN STICKS TO 1T
Railroads Corrupt Young Men, He
Says in Ne1c HaUen.
IBy Telegraph to The Tribrn.I


IBy Telegraph to The Tr1brn.I
New Haven. Aug. 31.-Bryan Democrats from
FIVE of the six New England states informally
organized a New England Bryan league here
this afternoon. At the conference George Fred
Williams and Mr. Bryan launched out in severe
scoring of railroad corruption. Mr.. Bryan stating
that he had decided for public ownership largely
on the ground that it would most quickly
purify American politics"
The conference fndorsed Mr.. Bryan's New
York speech. and predictions by the different
speake that Mr.. Bryan would be the next
Democratic Presidential candidate were received
with cheers
Mr. Bryan was again vigorous IN his attack
on the railroads. He explained why he had come
to the railroad ownership position. There were
many able men in the country who sold them
selves to the railroads and the corporations He
said:
do not know that the country is yet ready
for public ownership. 1 believe in great
many things that would not put In a piattorm'
The people not yet ready for some or them
/ had to go slow the railroad issue, but 1
said what said last night in New York because
had 10 say II, because belieVed ought 20
say it, not knowing whether my party would
stand for it not. Whether II is time now for II
| do not know. Ten years ago wrote a rereren-
dunn plank in my state platform. yet did not
know how il would be taken We can't make
issues Conditions. not parties. make issues
The argument that brought me 10 my decision
for government ownership of railroads was that
corporation interests were the most corrupt m
fuence in American politics to-day The rail-
roads not only are buying aolhty-tney are ou4
ing conscience and moral character as Well IL
has been my experience that young Democrats
have gone into railroad employ. and have had
to be scratched off our lists as the result III
has been the cOrrupting of young men by cor
poratiOns that had TO have legislation that mas
been my main reason for coming TO this decision
I have been away and 1 don't know yet what
is hannening in this country, but think there
is a great moral awakening. We can win by
getting the people TO trust us There are TWO
kinds OF corporatiOns-one that merely DO thelr
own business and others that ask favors from
legislatures The men who represent corpora
tions that have to buttonhOle legislators and use
lebbies ought to have sense enough not 10 ASH
poIitical office and he the seeker and the leSls-
iator at once. IF such men can't see IT, the
Democratic party ought 10 see it for them. a
man can't serve two masters at once can
object TO young of our party serving cor
nora ations but do most earnestly object 10 al
| lowing them at the same time TO represent us IN
office. It, .., ~
| We must man the Democratic party with men
| Of whose fidelity to the people there can be no
| question IL we should win national eiectiOn
| and have men with private interests WIN US
we would he kicked out because we coula1 l ~ ~
| what we said would do New England mas mas
| never been the breeding place of Democrats ouI
| if we can awaken the New england cohSclehco
| our success is clear
RAILROAD PROGRAMME INDORsED.
Two issues were presented and enthusiastic
ca1Iv frdorsed this afternoon al the New Eng
land conference. These were the public owner
| shin of railroads. suggested last night by Mr.
| Rrvar and the direct legislation" resolution
offered bv Governor Garvin. The Garvin resolu-
| ton was follows:
| Resolved That in every state the Democratic
nartv should seek 10 alter the original law so
that a reasonable minority OF the voters not ex-
| ceeding 10 per cent. may petition TO propose
and have the propositions made submitted 10
The qualified electors for adoption or rejection 10
the end that the people may possess I ulleII I au
| complete control OF the states fundamental law
| This resolution was left with a committee.
consisting of Mr. Troup Ex-Governor Garvin.
| George Fred Williams and Chairman Walsh 10
report upon at a later session.
George Fred Williams strongly indorSed the
New York address of Mr. Bryan. especially IN
regard 10 public ownership of railroads Hs
| said that the only issues on the Democratic
pIatforr were public ownership of public utili~
ties and direct legislation by the people He
was glad to see public ownership indOrsed by
| the man who is 10 make the Democratic pohcy
| for 1905" He went on:
| Mr. Bryan has precipitated a great issue into
our policy I admit. however, that IL the Re
| publican policy in regard 20 railroad rates can
| be carried out this public ownership issue may
| baVa 10 he deferred But l think that the Re
publican policy will only result IN the railroads
| going deeper after legislative control in con
/ gress and the states In order TO put stop 10
further state legislation. For the first time we
\ have something that will appeal 10 ;he three
great classes that make up the countTys vote
! Iabor the farmers and small tradesmen The
/ Brynn announcement yesterday is the dawn of
| a .eW day for Democratic success.
New Haven gave a non-partisan and hearty
welcome to Mr. Bryan. He arrived from New
| York with score of New England Democratic
! leaders shortly after noon. but did not ride IN
| President Mellen's private car paying his own
carfare in a special Pullman car attached TO the