Truth. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1901-1908, 1906-07-21
THE CLAMoR FOR BRYAN.

there is a strong revival of Bryan
sentiment; neither can 1T be denied
that Bryan still stands first among all
Americans in the estimation OF many
in all parts of the country. But the
claim that the course OF events mas
INDICATED the Democratic leader and
that majority of the voters of the
country have swung over to his teach
ings Is a claim that needs verification.
What are the facts?
In 1896, ten years ago, Mr.. Bryan
as the Democratic candidate for the
presidency, appealed to the country
on the silver issue of the free and UNI
limited coinage of silver at ratio with
gold of 16 TO 1. There were other is
sues of course, but every other issue
was swept into the background as so
much junk and the decision at the bal
lot box was rendered on the silver is
sue.
Is there any evidence to show that
the American voters have reversed
their judgment on that question?
Mr. Bryan now argues that the discov-
cry of gold in the Klondike and the
greatly increased output of gold in
Africa have done part of the work
that free silver coinage would have
done; but be that as it may, the fact
still remains that the American people
are satisfied with the outcome of 1886
and have not been converted to Mr..
Bryan's way of thinking on the money
question.
Apply the test Of 1900.
In the campaign of 1900 Mr.. Bryan
did what he could to relegate the sill
yer issue to the background. AS far
as it was in his power to do so he di-
rected the fight against the policy of
the Republican administration in the
Philippines and against the trusts.
Have we any evidence to show that
the American people have come to
Mr. Bryan's way of thinking on the
Philippine question? The policy in
augurated by President Mckinley in
the islands is still in force. 1t is in
force over the vigorous and prolonged
protest of Mr.. Bryan. 1t is in direct
opposition to the policy he advocated
on the stump and through the press
in 1900. If the question were submit
ted to vote today does any sane man
suppose that the decision of the Amer
lean people would be against the pol
icy of President Mckinley and Presi-
dent Roosevelt and IN FAVOR OF inc
policy of Mr.. Bryan?
This leaves the trust question.
Concede for the sake of argument
that radical reform is needed along
this line. Concede that the policy OF
President Roosevelt in his effort to
curb the trust has not been radical
enough to suit the country. Concede
that the most practical way to strike
the trusts is through the protective
tariff. And after conceding all this
where does Mr.. Bryan get the right to
pose as the leader of the opposition to
trusts? In 1896 he practically ignored
the question. In 1900 he showed 1t to
one side to make room for the Phil
ippine question. All the time the trusts
were at work and the question of their
curtailment was a crying one.
In 1896 Mr.. Bryan smothered the
cry of tariff reform in an effort to
round up the Free Silver Republicans
and the Populists. In 1900 he smoth-
cred the cry of tariff reform to catch
New England Republicans like Sena-
tor Hoar who talked Democratic and
voted Republican on the Philippine
question. And now after Mr.. Bryan's
net issues of free silver and Prilip- |
pine emancipation have been relegated
TO the scrap pile, he is forced to come
;,xht booly IN tho nOsitiOn held by Gro |