The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1908-09-10
SPECIAL PRIVILEGES FROM MIR.
BRYAN.


It makes the 1udicious grieye to
observe that William Jennings Bryan
has, at the very outset OF his cam
paign, stihed his yoice-worn cry Of
Equal rights for all, special priyi-
leges TO none" Probably he Is stfll
solid for equal rights for all, but ON
the special privileges end OF the prop
osition he has become a hopeless
backslider, as few plain facts win
show.
Only few weeks ago, for example.
Mr.. Bryan, afiame with unselfish de-
sire that the Denver ticket should be
elected, raised his voice In eloquent
appeal for contributions to the Demo-
cratic campaign fund. He candidly adj
mitted that money was needed, but
instead of appealing to all hands, res
CARELESS OF personal interest or voca-
ton, he addressed his cali to the
farmers alone. Nobody else was In
vited to contribute. The horny
handed agriculturist, however, was,
urgently requested to step forward
and deposit his contribution with the
gentlemanly collector about to pass
the hat. Assurance was given that
small contributions would be thank
fully received and that II anybody
chose to repeat, no offense would be
taken.
The whole proceeding was charao-
teristic Of the man who instituted IL.
The farmer farms the land and Bryan
farms the farmer. But in this fright
ened appeal for money for campaign
purposes Mr.. Bryan has deliberately
distinguished the farmers as a class
by themselves and has granted to
them the special privilege" Of con-
tributing towards his election. Jus
tice to the farmers compels the state
ment that they have INDUCED in NO
unseemly exultation over the special
privilege thus conferred upon them.
In fact, all accounts describe them
as singularly reluctant to exercise the
privilege at all. 1t Is clearly not their
purpose to go into the show business
this year.
Mr.. Bryan's most amazing proposal
as distributor Of special privileges,
however, appears In his scheme to
compel the Government to guarantees
bank deposits. The adoption Of that
plan would distinguish bank deposit
tors as favored class, to indemnify
whose losses through dishonest banks
all the rest OF the people would be
subject 10 taxation. Mr.. Bryan being
a man OF large means, is, presumably,
a bank deposltor, and would there
fore be member Of this limited class
to whom he proposes to award the
special privilege OF financial protec-
ton at the expense Of the masses who
are in no way responsible for the dis
honesty OF bank officials. Under that
arrangement the failure OF the banks
in which Mr.. Bryan carries deposits
would impose tax upon his less pros
porous neighbors to make good his
losses.
There is a definite purpose In Mr..
Bryan's change of attitude on THIS
question Of special. privileges, and IL
is manifestly supported by an acuts
regard for the interests Of Number
One. First, he grants to the farmers
the special privilege of fattening his
campaign fund. In the next place. n
events permit, he would award the
special privilege OF Governmental pro-
lection to bank depositors, including
himself. and grant TO the dear people
the special privilege OF footing the
bill. All accounts agree that Mr.
Bryan Is taking excellent care OF HIM
self nowadays.