Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-09-06
BRYAN RAPS MR.. TAFT
SAYS SECRETARY IS INCLINED
TO PUT OFF EVERYTHING.

OKLAHOMA CITY. September 6.-Wn-
liam j. Bryan in a speech delivered last
night before the National Ftremen's Asso-
citation, referred to Secretary Taft as the
great postponer." Mr.. Bryan said:
Secretary Taft in his speech made in
this territory a few days ago advised the
people to reject the proposed constitution
and postpone statehood until another en-
abiing act can be secured. At first blush
one might suspect that the Secretary's ad-
vice was due to his personal interest in the
next election. He might be accused OF ad-
vising the postponement of statehood with
view of keeping seven electoral votes out
Of the democratic column. but the more
generous view taken of the matter is that
his advice resulted from the habits Of
thought.
Favors Postponement.
Taft is inclined to postpone everything
He promises to acquire tho title of the
great postponer. He is on his way to the
Philippines to tell the Filipinos that while
he thinks they ought to have selr-govern-
ment after a while. he wants It postponed
for the present. 1t Is not strange. there
fore. that he should yield to his ruling
spirit in the matter Of statehood and tell
you to put 1t Off.
He holds out to the people the hope Of
another enabling act, but what assurance
can he give that a republican Congress will
act Immediately to bring in q democratic
state just before the presidential election?
You have been struggling for statehood
for fifteen years. and now. when 1t is with
In your grasp he asks you to exchange
certainty for the delusive promise of an
other chance. Does he control the Congress
to such an extent that he can guarantee
immediate action? The two senators from
his own state do not accept his advice. His
influence as presidential candidate cannot
yet be measured. for not u single state has
yet instructed for him.
why does he advise you~to reject the
constitution and postpone statehood? Be
cause he Is opposed to some parts of the
constitution. He has suggested several
amendments which he would like to have
adopted. Even IL the amendments were
worthy to be adopted 1t would not be nee
essary to reject the constitution in order to
adopt them.
Forgotten His Ohio Story.
Secretary Taft says that If you insist
on having statehood and are determined to
adopt the constitution you ought to have
republican government to amend the
constitution. He certainly has forgotten
the argument he made in Ohio recently that
the tariff ought to be reformed by its
friends. If he applies his logic to this con-
stitution he ought to insist that the con-
stitution should be reformed by it's friends.
rather than by its enemies, and surrey
there is little to induce confidence in the
republican party when the party has de-
layed statehood for SO many years and de-
layed 1t for purely partisan reasons.
Have you read his Columbus speech?
II so you will find in 1t an arraignment of
protection as we have 1t today an appeal
for revision of the tariff but he paralyzes
the force OF his own speech by postponing
the tariff reform until after the election.
Il am glad that Secretary Taft referred
to the Philippine question. for his discus
sion shows that he believes in colonial
policy and that he disputes the doctrines
set forth in the Declaration Of Independ-
ence. While he seems disposed to acquiesce
in the suffrage amendments adopted in the
south he overlooks the fact that the black
man of the south Is treated much better
than the brown man of the Philippines
The black man Of the south has the protec-
ton OF the constitutions-state and nation
Awhile the Constitution Is denied to the
Filipino"