The Idaho scimitar. [volume] (Boise, Idaho) 1907-1908, 1908-08-22
Mr.. Bryan's Acceptance.

L. BrVanS
him of his nomination as the candidate of the demo-
cratic party for the position of president OF the
United States "Shal the people ruler" he declared
to be the paramount issue in the judgment of the
national democratic convention expressed through
its platform.
He promised to take up for discussion the other
topics of the platform in formal letter to the COM
mittee and in addresses to be delivered by him.
For the notification occasion he confined himself
to the leading issue, saying by way OF introduction
Our platform declares that the overshadowing
issue which manifests itself in all the questions now
under discussion, is Shall the people rule! NO
matter which way turn; no matter TO what
subject we address ourselves, the same question
confronts us: Shall the people control their own
for the protection OF their r1ghtS anu lol
the promotion of their welfare? Or shall the repre-
sentatves of predatory wealth prey upon defense
less public while the offenders secure immunity
from subservient officials whom they raise TO power
by INSCRIPTIONS methods? This IS the issue ralseo
by the unknown abuses to which Mr.. Iatt refers
In his speech of acceptance, Mr. Taft had declared
that his party represented the policies essential to
the reform of known abuses" and that its platform
unequivocally declared that it was the purpose OF
his party ito maintain them and carry them on.
This was inspiration enough for Mr.. Bryan, who
charged that the party of Mr.. Taft was responsible
for all the abuses that made reform necessary Inns
he proceeded to prove by an extract from message
sent to congress by the president last January ana
his quotations from that document made the evil
dence complete.
Mr. Roosevelt had dealt with the acts of preda-
tory wealth. of stock obbng corporations OF all the
influences that had assai1ed the administration and
endeavored ito overthrow and discred1t all who
honestly administer the law to prevent addition
al legislation which would check and restrain them
and secure if possible freedom from all restraint
which would permit every INSCRIPTIONS wrongdoer
TO do what he wishes unchecked provided he has
enough money"
Such being the indictment of the president OF the
United States against his own party, Mr. Bryan
thought it ought to have place in his speech OF
accordance in connection with his declaration OF the
paramount issue, shall the people ruler" and his
promise that they should rule if government was en-
trusted to the democratic party.
Mr.. Taft had endorsed, in his speech OF accept
ance the indictment by Mr. Roosevelt OF the repuDll-
can party, declaring that revelations OF breaches
of trust the disclosures as to rebates and dlscr1-
nations bv railroads. the accumulation of evidence
of the violation of the antitrust law and the over
issue of stocks and bonds for the purpose of enrich
inc directors and the concentration OF railroad con-
troll under one management quickened the con-
science of the people and brought a moral awak-,
ening'
Having arrayed the testimony of the president
and the candidate in proof of the condition, Mr..
Bryan said
During all this time beg to remind you, repub-
lican officials presided in the executive department
filled the cabinet dominated the senate, controlled
the house of representatives and occupied most OF
the judgeships.
Why we're these known abuses permitted to de-
velop? Why have they not been corrected? Ii ex-
listing laws are sufficient why have they not been
enforced? All of the executive machinery OF the
federal government is in the hands of the republican
party Are new laws necessary? Why have they