The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-07-13
No Chance for Conservatism in Opposition to Corporate
 Agrandizsnent
EVERYBODY IS WELCOME
 ID RETURN 10 THE PARTY
He Still Believes In Bi-MetaIlsm, But Increase In Gold Production Has Removed Silver Question
 As an Issue.

London. July 12.--willam J. Bryan, hav- ing had the opportunity of reading Amer lean newspapers. consented today to dis- cuss some of the questions which have been raised since he has become promi- nent as a presidential possibility for 1908. He said:
 'I notice that I 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 conservative. The democratic policies are conservative in that they embody old principles applied to new conditions. There was nothing new in principle in either of the platforms on which stood. We were accused of attack ing property when in fact the democratic party Is the defender of property because 1t endeavors to draw the line between honest accumulation by honest methods on the one side and predacatory wealth and immoral methods on the other It Is to the interest of every honest man that dishonesty should be exposed and pun ished, otherwise the deserving are apt to suffer for the undeserving.
 More Radical Than In 1896.
 If. however, by the word conserva. tive they mean that l have changed my position on any public question or mod | erated my opposition to corporate az. | grandizement, they have a surprise wait l ing for them. l am more radical than l was in 1S96 and have nothing to with draw on economical questions which have been under discussion.
 The only question we discussed in 1896 upon which there has been any apparent | change is the silver questions and that has not been a change in the advocates of nfn iGVf1 btlf in tended for more money and urged the free coinage of silver as the only means then
 in sight of securing 1t. The production of gold has brought in part the benent we expected to secure from the restoration of silver. The per capita volume of money in the United States Is almost 50 per cent l greater now than it was In 1896, and the benefits brought by this increase have not only vindicated the quantitatlve theory of money, but have proven the benefits of the larger amount of money. 1 No advocate of the gold standard can claim the triumph of his logic.
 Believes In 6l-Metalllsm.
 "I believe in bimetallism. and I believe that the restoration of silver would bring still further prosperity, besides restor- ing par in exchange between gold and 1 silver-using countres but recognize, as | do all other blmetallists whom l have met abroad that the unexpected and un- precedented increase in gold production | has for the present removed the silver | question as an issue.
 While the money question has waned l in importance other questions have been l 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 con- forms to the doctrine of equal rights for all and special privileges for none.
 "On the new questions many will act with who were against us on the money question. for notwithstanding the discussion of that question, millions did not understand 1t, and were frightened | into opposition
 we cannot expect the support of any | one who is interested in taking advantage | of the people either through trusts or any other illegitimate form of business. Our | efforts should be to distinguish between | those corporations which are legitimate | and those aggregations of wealth which are organized for purposes of public plum | der and appeal for support to those only who are willing to have the government protect each person In the enjoyment or l his own earnings.
 Brings Up New Alignment. | ''The newspapers have been trying to create friction between what they call old friends and new friends in politics. Those are friends who are working toward q common end, and each campaign brings to some extent A new alignment In 1898 1 the party lost many democrats and was recruited by a great many who had been republicans up to that time, and we well comed 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. | Usually parties are so anxious to secure | hot | phasized If there Is a sincere agreement on present Issues. do not know that we | can better plan than the Bible plans, | which admits the eleventh-hour comer 10 | play in the vineyard and share the re- ward with those who began earlier. | think this sound politics, as well as sound | legislation provided the new recruit comes | to work and not to interfere with the | other laborers.
 Must Have Experience. But of course when an overseer has to | be selected experience cannot be left out | of consideration. The worker who came | late would If honest be too modest to as- sume an attitude of superiority over those | who had toled during the earlier hours | While the question is one of purpose a man who recognizes the dangers that l threaten our country. and is anxious to avert them will not find 1t difficult to es- 1 tablish friendly relations with those who | saw the danSeTS dI an uate-
 If the differences between the sincere | and the pretended friends of reform can not be discovered before, they will be- | come apparent when the platform is writ | ten for If present indications count for anything that platform Is likely to be SO plain that no one can mistake 1t, and so strong that no enemy of democratic prin- | ciples will be drawn to the party" | MT. Bryan added he would discuss the | trust tariff, railroad and labor questions. | imperialism and other issues at length l uyhao ha raarbaH uoerfra