Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1908-10-09
bryan Answers Criticisms


utter moons stency aud groundless.
ness Of criticisms which bad been made
of him by Governor Hughes and other
Republican leaders, that his exper-
fence in public life WAS not sufficient
to qualify him for the Presidency.
In part Mr.. Bryan said:
"The German element in our popu-
lation is very important one, Doth In
mum bers and in the character OF the
men. The German language is rich
in philosophy, oratory and poetry and
the Germans who have come among
us have brought not only thelr liter
airy tastes, but their thrift, industry
and integrity They have helped to
build up our country, and the German
strain in our blood has added to the
energy honesty and Importance OF the
composite American. | appreciate
the support which is being given to
the ticket by the German Democrats
here and throughout the country.
Before speaking OF the issues OF
the campaign 1 desire to say a word
that may be considered personal. The
Republicans, not able to meet us on
the issue of the record Of their party,
are now falling back upon the exper-
fence Of their candidates. Mr.. Taft is
commended by them as specially quail
flied by his experience to discharge the
duties of the office, because Of the fact
that he has held for some years offices
of executive and judicial character
WHY this newborn zeal for experience?
Abraham Lincoln had no consider
able experience before he was elected
President Grant had none outside OF
his military experience. MIR. Blaine
had no experience in matters OF admin-
istration; Mr.. Harrison was legi ia
tor, not an executive, before his cleo
ton; Mr.. Mckinley had NO admins
tration experience except as Cover
nor of his state for one term.
"Mr. Hughes insists that Mr.. Taft's
long experience makes hi pre-emi-
nently the man for the Presidency,
aud yet Mr.. Hughes WAS only a few
months ago willing to offer himself q
candidate against Mr.. Taft. and Mr..
Hughes has had but little experience
in public LIE. He has been Governor
for tive years, and yet he thought three
months ago that he was as we'll quail
flied for the Presidency as Mr.. Taft,
for if he had not thought so he could
not have censcientiously entered the
list against him. Now if I measure
up to Governor Hughes in experience
in public life he at least ought not to
urge my inexperience as al objection
to me.
Another objection that has been
urged is that l may not make wise ap-
pointments. This argument ought not
to be used by Republican, because
for the next tive years at least the
Senate will be republican, and, as the
Senate has to confirm all important
it would have to share
the responsibility with me if any OBJ
men became officials. / am
satisfied that can find enough men
in harmony with our platform to fill
such offices as are filled by Presiden-
tial pppointment-I am satisfied that
/ can find such excellent men that
even a Republican Senate will not
dare reject them"
After discussing number of issues
he said:
"The Republican argument that we
hear much of new il that Democratic
success will disturb business. Our
contention is that Democratic success
will restore Prospe rity. How can the
Repl blicans threaten us with panic
whom a panic came under their pre-
sent President and Is still upon us?
La some respects it is the NEST acute
panic we ever had, and there was less
in natural conditions TO justify 1t.
That this panic still continues can
be proved in many ways. First, by
the mum Der Of men out of employment
men aLxious to work are not able
to find work to dc. An effort has
been made among those securing spec
ial privileges from the Government to
answer this present argument by
starting up some Of their mills In the
closing days, but the people can hard
ly be fooled by such transparent tricks
"The Saturday Evening Post, OF re-
cent date, contains more statistics
showing that, according to the New
York savings banks, the number OF ae-
counts opened for the year ending July
was 70, 600 less than for the year be-
fore, while the number sf accounts
closed was $4,000 greater than the year
before. The amount deposited was
S35 900 900 less and the amount with