The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1908-10-29
Bryan and a Republican Senate.

There are some who fancy that the
election of Bryan would be merely a
halt in which neither party would have
'ull control of the government, and that
his would be a restful period for the
country. How little the persons who
l0ld this view have considered the prac-
teal features of such a situation, and
Bryan's qualities as an agitatOr. Re-
Gently he was questioned as to what
ne could do as President with q Repub-
lican Senate to reckon with, and he re-
piled at some length in speech at Buff
falo. He said he could make a begin
ling by presenting measures of tariff
reform, for the regulation of corpora
lions and railroads. for the guarantee
IF bank deposits, for declaring the ulti-
mate independence of the Filipino, and
FOR setting in motion all that is includ-
al in the Denver platform. One of the
things in that platform is greenbacks as
emergency currency, though Mr.. Bryan
was careful no. to give this fact par
licular mention. He Is q free trader.
md there is not the slightest Ioubt
hat he would show it in his tariff pro-
ceedings. His messages, all marked by
his personal and party bias, would be
lncessant, according to his rash habit
with the issues he takes up from time
% time.
a President has extensive powers of
his own and weighty methods of indu-
ancing even an opposition Congress.
After March 4 next Mr.. Bryan would
call Congress in extra session. and it
is probable that, along with his elec-
ton, the House would be Democratic.
His vast resources in patronage would
be applied to break down what remain
ed of Republican control and to hasten
the day when all departments of the
government would be Democratic. He
said at Buffalo: ut is reasonable 70
assume that the Republicans in the Sell
ate will recognize the force of public
opinion and see the folly of putting
themselves in opposition to the de!iber-
ate judgment of voters" A Republican
Senate under Bryan would be on the
defensive at every point from the NJ
ment of Bryan's Inauguration. He
would treat it as body repudiated b.
the people and tagging superfiuous cn
the stage. His messages would be
planned to discredit it with the country,
and he would adroitly try 10 saddle
upon it the responsibility for his own
mistakes and failures. Whatever went
wrong, his ready excuse would be that
the Republican Senate crippled his poll
cies and that all would be as rosy as
his accustomed promises If his party
had full power to act.
1t must be remembered that Mr.. Bry-
IN condemned the administration of Mr..
Cleveland as severely as those of Me
Kinley and Roosevelt. He would not
accept any of these as mOsie. nor sub
scribe to the financial policy Of Mr..
Cleveland He would be the exponent
Of Bryan exclusively, and old-fishioEod
Democrats cannot intelligently support
him with any other understanding. In
Bryan's whole career the seeds of rcvo-
luton have lurked. His Treatment OF
his party illustrates the readiness with
which he resorts TO the one-man power.
If the Republican party after twelve
years Of full authority cannot hold, its
lines against Bryan. it is vain to expect
to resist the general upheaval he rep
resents when all the line is carried ex-
cept a Republican Senate. Bryan's
election could not fall short Of Bryan
lied government. The Senate also could
not prevent this result. Bryan would
ovetpower it and at the same tine shift
all blame to its shoulders. Lei no oppo-
ncht of Organism imagine that it can
bc INDUCED half way. 1t is not half
right nor half safe.-St. Louis Globe
Democrat