The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-12-30


2. a platform, cycry sentence OF
which may, be readily understood, and
every plank Of wliich definitely ascer-
This scribe does not believe that Mr..
Bryan. with his dead issue Of free tsil :
ver and Ills premature Issues Of gov,
Grnnlcnt ownership and initiative and
standard ~
Although Mr. Bryan counsels, bury
Ing the dead issues OF the past. ne per-
sists IN jusstifying the free silver doc
ornts refrain from opposition. Almost
the entire independent contingent be-
lleved change to free silver basis
IN 1896 involved n national calamity.
vocacy while having their mouths
stopped from opposition appears both
unfair ana personally Offensive.
&c we must be required to forcgo any
lrolteraltOn Of Our convictions on this
unfortunate subject, so must Its advo--
Gates.
The conservative or independent cle-
mcnt Is almost unanimously opposed
to government ownership OF public
utilities, Even under the present re-
ronagc constitute AN intrenchment
from which the difficulties Of dislodg-
Ing an AMBITIOUS administration might
prove almost insuperabls How much
lllplG Will tuS SPUN 'piCb, VI 10 =
llaps quntlrupled.
Nor are they ready TO accept the IN
itiative and referendun. 1t may pc
we'll enough for the demagogues TO
the Judgment of the common pco-
pie" We all know, however, that the
average voter lacks the time, tho ia
cilities, and In many instances the
information requisite to determine such
questions as are without his expert
ence. observation and out of the line
OF his Investigation. Among these may
be enumerated matters OF foreign a.
plomacy and those pertaining; TO the
scientific, and competency to deal with
them intelligently may be acquired
only by persistent study CT actual en-
perience. Our fathers. made this a
tanned less than 100000 OF people.
Those who advocate reversion to
the original, or pure type surely have
not contemplated the difficulty. expense
Their investigation has evidently been
superficial. 1t does not appeal TO the
independent conservative voter.
We would by no means advocate
the sitting of conscience. a minority
party, however. almost hopelessly 'dt-
vded can well afford to forego for
| the time at least, the advocacy of radI-
cal and questionable reforms and unite
OH such mild and judicious measures
as will secure the support OF that
holds the balance of power Success
thus attained could be used as a step
ping-stone to such further reforms as
future eNigencies might demand
| I suggest u few propositions SO OBJ
viously In harmony with the genera
welfare as to be satisfactory to the
mllGwump and at the same time unob-
jcctionable to the Independent or dis
satisfied Republican,:
| l. Relief from oppressive tariff
taxes.
:. Golden Rule policy for our. re-
Gently acquired dependencies.
/ 5. Repeal of all laws and repression
Of all means which enable any person
earned portion of the countrys nc-
foundations.
4. Equitable apportionment among
capitalist, laborer and consumer of the
| 5. Merit rather than politics to de-
termine all appointments in the civil
and military service of the govern
ment.
6. Immediate restriction and ultimate
elimination from the body social ant
| polite of all institutions and enter.
pr!ses which are destructive Of tbs
ends for which society was organized
above indicated and candidate fire,
| from the dead weight of populistit
fads. many of the more Independent
Republicans would either vote. will
the Democrats or remain away from
the polls.
The attitude of the Independent
Voter would not be doubtful. But Will
Mr.. Bryan as the candidate and thu
doubtful o. objectionable things fol
| which he stands In the platform
the Republican majorities Of 1896 ant
1900 will be duplicated. and the Dem
ocratic party further discredited.
:. L. ]. COPPAGE.