Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-04-30
Hearst and His Politics.

Replying to the charge that he Is no
longer a democrat. Mr.. Hearst says:
II am firm believer in the principles
which jefferson enunciated, in the prtnci-
pies which Lincoln revived. interpreted and
exempied. I believe absolutely. not only
in Jeffersons theory Of equal rights for all
and special privileges to none. but In Its
practical application to every phase OF
public policy. l believe in Jefferson's gov
eminent for the greatest good OF the great
est number, and in Lincoln's government of
the people, by the people. for the people.
would have been democrat in Jefferson 8
day. and a republican In Lincolns day:
but whether l can properly be classified as
a democrat H. the present day iS matter
which l admit is subject to legitimate
doubt.
I'm conclusion let me say that in my
opinion there is no question about the value
of the initiative and referendum, and let
me add l have advocated the same meas
ures for many years. and. what Is more to
the point. we have succeeded in Los An
geles, where l have newspaper. in putting
them into such practical operation that they
are embodied in the city charter and en-
ployed in the city government"
Mr. Hearst should not allow a little thing
like this to vex him. Never mind about
mere tags. What voter can say what he is
or where he is these days? It's a wise man
that knows his own party. Change and dis
may in all around we see. and the protean
performance still goes on. Take glance
al the confusion.
Republicans of the Hartman school insist
that Mr. Roosevelt Is a democrat, with an
archistic trimmings. Mr.. Bryan asserts that
Mr.. Roosevelt has stolen good deal of his
thunder. and to that extent is democrat.
Many Roosevelt republicans declare that
both Mr.. Fairbanks and Mr. Foraker are
reactionaries, and therefore no longer re-
publicans.
Democrats of the Cleveland SCHOOL sheer
a. Mr.. Bryan's democracy. They ticket it
as populism. pure and simple. If we may
believe them, there is not a democratic bone
in Mr.. Bryan's body. The Bryan men in
reply characterize Mr.. Cleveland as re-
publican, and incline to the belief that he
disrupted the democratic party purpOsely.
New York republican bankers, they claim,
| always had more influence with him than
the recognized leaders OF the democratic
party And so it goes.
The New York World should enlarge its
very interesting and pertinent question.
While endeavoring to discover what is a
democrat, 1t should also inquire as to what
is republican. Not with view of settling
either question-for that is not important
just now-but for the purpose of making
good copy" The public likes the subject,
and will read clever contributions to it.
But. in passing observe the sly dig Mr..
Hearst gives Mr.. Bryan as to the initiative
and referendum Why" he says in SUBJ
stance. I've been in favor of that for some
time. The policy, in fact. Is already oper-
ating in a small way In a western town
where l print one of my newspapers If you
want thing done come to me- Goblin
Hearst. and not Short Bryan, Is the friend. -
These are very beautiful times. taking
everything into consideration. and they are
likely to last for at least eighteen months
longer. And what the result Will be in No
vember of next year Is as pretty problem
as any old political forecaster ever tackled