The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1907-01-16
Time PROVES DEMOCRATS
: RIGHT, SAYS BRYAN


has made on the political situation
since returning from Europe, Will
liam J. BRYAN last night held the
close attention of an audience that
packed Masonic temple for nearly
two hours.
In brief his address was confined
to illustrations of his argument that
the democratic party has been vim
dicated on its past platform de-
mands by subsequent action taken
by the republicans along the same
lines. As instances he cited Roose-
velt's attitude on the income tax.
his opposition to the wholesale APP
plication of iniunctions and his
fight on the trusts. all democratic
doctrine, said Mr.. Bryan.
The speaker attacked the theory
of regulating trusts, claiming that
illegal monopoly should no more be
regulated than burglary or highway
robbery. Bryan's plan to curb the
trusts is by tariff revision. and he
declared that there are now more
tariff reformers in the country than
ever before.
The eight hour work day was an
other of the reforms Bryan argued
strongly. He thought the demo-
cratic party would favor it. That
workingman cannot be expected to
properly prepare himself for citi-
zenship If he is driven from his
couch to work and from work to
couch was one of the telling points
made by the speaker.
In regard to the labor question
Bryan objected to the strike ex-
cept as a last resort, and declared
it a shame that the laboring man
has no better recourse for his own
protection than to invite starvation
for himself and family in order to
promote his rights and interests.
In regard to government owner
ship of railroads Bryan explained
that this idea was advanced per-
sonally by him and not as demo-
dent that it would come in this
country and was certain it would
prove a satisfactory solution of
transportation troubles. He had
been converted to this doctrine by
his observations in Europe, where
the system is almost universal.
In the demand for arbitration;
for the direct election of senator's
and the antiimperialistic policy
Bryan eloquently argued that his
party had been Enthusiastically up.
held by the passing of time to con-
.ditions now prevailing. The same
rule, he held. governed the money
question.
Every seat was occusied at the
banquet table early last night, many
republicans being present. The
committees in charge of the ar
rangements had overlooked nothing
for the comfort and convenience of
the guests. The hall was appro-
priately decorated and popular and
orchestra throughout the evening,
Mayor Daggett acted as toast
master and introduced the speakers
in happy manner. The first speak
err was Frank Fl. Graves, who re-
sponded to the toast, "Radcalism;
True and False" Mr. Graves stated
that he had no patience with the
conservative who refused to adj
vance with the progress of the
times, and he had as little consid-
Grafton for the destructive radical
He took shot at the Spokesman.
Review and said the country would
not be benefited by following the
policies outlined in Durham's edi,
torials He objected to the policy
of the national government, which
tended to obiterate states rights
and states lines. He said the states
had done their duty but that laws
passed by the states had been de
clared unconstitutional by fedora
courts. He discredited the work
honC ny lHt
which he said had travelled around
taking evidence but had been de-
void of tangible results.
VIM. Goodyear, of Colfax, next
spoke on THE Test of Democracy
F. C. Robertson responded to the
toast Democracy, the Party of the
Masses"
He took the ground that this was
white mans country and that
white labor should be protected
against the Asiatic hordes who
would degrade American labor.
Interstate Commerce Commits
sioner Lane was next introduced
and said the people of the country
were confronted with issues that
they would have to meet and that
they should and would meet them
imam fashion"
At the close of Mr.. Lanes re
marks Mr.. Bryan was announced
the banqueters rising to their feet
and waving flags and cheering