The Washington herald., 1907-12-16
COCHRAN FOR BRYAN
PaveS Way for Advocacy of
Noted NebraSkan.
SPEAKS AT NEW ROCHELLE
Reviews Recent Financial FURRY
and Declares That the Country Is
In the Power OF "A PIusOcracy OF
a Dozen Men who Seek Only Their
own selfish Ends Rnd Policies.

New York, Dec. b-W. Bourke Cock
ran prepared the way. to-day, in an ad-
dress before the Peoples Forum. al New
Rochelle. for his advocacy Of somebody
very Ike William Jennings Bryan as the
candidate on a radical Democratic ticket
Although Mr.. Cochran specifically stated
that his address on The Silent Revolu-
ton in Our Political System was to be
viewed in none other than non-par-
tisan light, an echo from Nebraska rever-
berated through his discourse beyond the
degree os coincidence.
The meat OF Mr. COckran's remarks
was that since the election OF 1895 the
same property interests that combined at
that time 70 combat free silver have re-
mained cohesive, through the constantly
increasing power they have had over the
government, and that at pres mt the
phenomenon Of a government higher than
that OF the Federal Constitution. ruling
beyond control. confronts US.
Mr.. Cochran drew an analogy between
Augustus Caesar. who ruled iuperial
Rome even under the shadow OF A re-
public, AID several uncrowned Caesars
OF to-day. who, he said. We're allowing
US 10 believe that we lived under A re
public stiil, even while they usurped all
the power
Deals with Politics.
I propose TO deal with the tendencies
in our political regime as see them to-
day" said Mr.. Cochran. but I have n,
intention Of touching upon political mat
ters Of partisan nature or Of suggesting
remedial measures. because by so doing
l may seem TO be partisan"
The speaker referred at once 20 the
recent panic and alluded to the fact that
Immediately after credit dropped The
banks and trust companies united for
mutual benefit, under stress. thereby
throwing over for the minute the instinct
OF business rivalry.
What 1 would call your attention TO-"
continued Mr.. Cochran. is that instea,l
OF turning Immediately 70 the government
for assistance. the bankers and fnanciers
turned to a private citizen. In so TAR as
the government took part in the effcits
to stem the tide. 1t was a subordinate
part. and one contingent upon the initial
action Of this citizen and his advisers.
- FS'AA BASobcA IMAM war or not was met
and acted upon by agencies entirely out
side the machinery of government.
Power of PIutOcracy.
I'm 1896 there was a real issue before
the people," Mr.. Cochran continued.
which was accepted as of transcendent
importance. Rightly or wrongly. Il was
believed that property interests were at
stake. and the property owners and those
who hoped to be Of the property class
combined to win the election. But out
OF this alliance grew a tendency, fostered
by protective tariff. to utilize the gov
ernment for special interests, until within
the last ten years the control OF this
couHtry has virtually passed into the
hands OF less than dozen men
The people who row hold the power
in their hands are as scrIpulous rs 10
the outward form Of the government as
was Caesar Augustus when he took the
rule Of Rome even while the shadow of
the peoples sovereignty remained. A
President stu lives in Washington. a
Congress meets and passes laws. judges
sit TO interpret them Even the formulas
Of the Constitution. giving each citizen
his rights. remain rominally ,in force.
Recently we have seen the Federal
government strain and try its best TO
curb the activities OF these men. its
masters, continued the speaker, but
nothing has resulted but lot Of talking"