The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-03-31
BRYAN SPEAKS AT
A DOLLAR DINNER

A DOLLAR DINNER.
Continued From First Page)
and to reform the abuses which have
grown out of Republican legislation
and administration. and these two
things are. first. a platform specifically
pied ging the party to clearly defined
reforms, and, second, the nomination
of a ticket composed of men imbued
with spirit of reform.
IF, in the coming campaign. the
Republicans nave an ambiguous plat
form, filled with glittering gencrali-
ties, and fragrant with bouquets
thrown at the Republican party. Re-
publican President elected upon 1t
would be as powerless as the present
President has been. / say powerless.
for what has the President succeeded
III doing? There arc more trusts to-
day than there were when he entered
the Office. and he has never succeeded
in getting law enacted that would
strengthen the present law. He has
rot succeeded in putting trust mag
nate in the penitentiary, and the only
large fine that has been imposed has
aroused more criticism than conmen-
dation among Republican leaders
What lie Has Not Done.
"H. has not secured any tariff re-
+ rm, and yet he has been III office
for over seven years. He has not Sc
cured the enactment of the necessary
labor legislation. He has not secured
an income tax and the Republican
Senators forced him into compromise
on the railroad question.
But even a good platform would be
-, u "A t7sN
en1bodies the spirit OF the platform.
And what candidates have they?
..rhe President has picked out Sea-
rotary Taft and given him the support
OF the administration. He has TO
record as reformer and his speeches
do not indicate definite purpose or
a courageous program. In fact. the
widespread reform sentiment among
the Republican masses is not reflected
to any considerable extent among Re-
publican leaders. What does Secretary
Taft stand for? What does he de-
nouncc as wrong? What does he pro-
pose as remedy?
What would he do with the trusts?
He tells US that he would not exterm!-
nate them, but simply regulate them.
What does he propose on the tariff
question? Revision-but not until after
the election.
w nat TeIOTUl does AT
propose for the benefit of labor?
THE laborins men insist that they
are entitled to trial by jury; but Secre-
tary Taft went all. the way to Okla
llona to find fault with provision in
the Oklahoma Constitution securing
this protection to the laboring men.
Growth of Imperialism.
What relief does Secretary TAFT
propose to give us from the burdens
which imperialism has imposed upon
the country? The appropriation for
The army and navy has increased more
than hundred millions year since
we entered upon our colonial expert
ment. Our army is more than twice
as large as it was in 1896. and we are
still denying the Philippine Islands the
doctrine set forth in the Declaration
OF Independence, that governments de-
rive their Just powers from the consent
Of the governed.
What Is Secretary Taft going to do
on the railroad question?
TN one speech, he took occasion to
explain that the President was not re-
sponsible for rate reductions. this
would indicate that Secretary TAFT
does not favor rate reduction. Is ne
in favor of authorizing the Interstate
Commerce Commission to ascertain
the present value of the railroad? Is
he willing to prevent the future issue
of watered stock? Does he urge re.
dUction In freight and passenger rates,
wherever and whenever such reductions
can be made without injustice 10
honest investments? He has given no
assurance on these questions. and we
must judge what he would do by what
he now says or fails to say.
"If when he is trying to secure the
support of reform Republicans he is
80 evasive on tho subject. what could
we expect of him If he were elected?
Asks Taft Questions.
Does Secretary Taft favor the ma
tlonal Incorporation Of railroads as
suggested by the President? Would
he favor a law withdrawing from the
States their control over railways and
vestinG exclusive control in the Fed
eral government? And ii he favors
national Incorporation, would he be in
favor of giving the railroads per-
petual franchise and a perpetual guar
antee Of income? II not, will he ex-
plain why he will be more unjust to
the Filipinos than to the people of his
ewn country?
/. what chance of reform is there at
The hands of Republican leaders. who
take the side of corporations against
the people and act upon the theory
that Inducements must be held ont
to capital, no matter how great the
burdens imposed upon tho producers
Of Wealth. asked Mr.. Bryan in con-
clusion.
"There is no doubt that the masses
FETrA a.. 80: