The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-01-24

made for their protection in their trans portation charges, but to protect the peo- pie, the man who pays the freight, against the powerful combinations which they form, In order to secure higher charges. The evidence of their traffic manager before the interstate commerce commission at Chicago, when asked why he increased his freight charges, replied that he was directed by the company to get more money and that was the most expedient way to do it. Who doubts that these great combinations of systems were made to prevent competition, and for the purpose of securing higher charges and when you consider how they have engaged engraving bureaus to manufae- ture securities, stocks and bonds, ad lfbitum, and then fruetify them by due process of law then you can realize what a holocaust of unprotected interest would be made by the loose application of the 14th amendment to protect their dom nation
 It is said that small excess charges do not hurt the people, and greatly benefit the corporations. This convic- ton, carried into practice, is cancerous. and if allowed full growth, destroys the body politie That government which protects the people, even in the smallest thing, builds the strongest foundation for the future.
 Cesspoos In Tariff.
 
 Last but not least, the tariff, we be- lieve, contains cesspools of stagnant water, breeding presidential carriers in the shape of business stegomyias The democratic party stands pledged to the reformation of the tariff. to take away the wrong of it. so while giving rev enue to our government and propefty protection to our fellow citizens 1t will. at the same time, carry no hard ships to the other great class of our fellow citizens, the man who stands at the hoe.
 All business. all courts all legsla- ton should be used as quicksilver, to gather up the pure gold from the raw material of life MT. Chairman, we have with LIS tonight a man. who, as the leader of democrary, has been regarded as quicksilver, gathering up the pure gold. He has at all times unfurled the banner of pure democ- racy, and led the people along lines of higher accomplishment. Hie purity of motive, and correctness of leader ship has never been doubted. Standing pre- eminently as a man of the people. he has sought by every method to maintain and vindicate their rights. In making my bow to him, I do so with the full conception that in his lead ership he will vindicate the right prin- ciples of the people-the Hon. w. J. Bryan.
 Mr. Bryan Introduced.
 Mir Bryan's address was the last of the evening. His subject was signs or the Times" He said In part
 T appreciate the compliment tbat has been paid me by the Board of Trade, and I am very glad to have a chance to att tend this non-partisan meeting. Laugh- ter) I have to mix in politics so much that it is really refreshing to attend a meeting where politics are ignored. Oaughter) I want to get in touch with the secretary who invited me and find out whether he is a humorst or whether he has lost control of the meeting.
 This reminds me of an anecdote about a game warden who was walking through the woods one day and met fellow. He asked the fellow if he had caught any fish around there and the man began pointing out different spots in the stream and told about how many fish he had caught in each place the day before. The game warden then said Well I guess you don't know who I am. I am the game warden We'll I guess you don't know who I am.' replied the fisherman, I am the biggest liar in this county.
 But in spite of the fact that I came expecting an entirely different meeting, I am glad Judge Harmon came down with me, and I am glad I have met Gov ernor Conner. I could be satisfied with either as vice president. From what you say there is nothing left but the taking of the Presidents chair, but the Wash ington Post last week suggested that be vice president and nominated some body else for President
 Signs of the Times.
 'I am glad that Governor Conner has laid bare the places where there has been so much iniquity. and am glad that you have man whom the New York papers declare is radical. who will speak out against this iniquity in the high places. I appreciate the welcome that has been spoken by your lieutenant gov ernor and MT. Hefin, and by my friend here of long standing. Now, gathered under the auspices of the Board of Trade. and knowing this was not my political speech, I wired that I would speak on the Signs of the Times
 Those who advocate reforms are often spoken of as pessmists, and like others who have been speaking for reforms, I have been charged with lamenting in- stead of rejoicing, and tonight I desire to reject this charge against myself and others who have advocated reforms
 T am not pessimist. am an optimist. The future Is bright and I dissent en- tirely from the theory that a government must like an individual have its period of growth and then its period of decay Man must die. It is a part of the law of his being, but people are not governed like this. l am an optimst, but I believe we have all within us power for hastening every good.
 Intellectual Advancement.
 Tn the first place I want to say to l you that intellectual advancement ia the rule all over the world. There is | a stirring in the educational line every | where. We are increasing the number | of our schools and the attendance unon l them. And want to remind you that today the world is far ahead of it's 1 position of 10 and % years ago.
 Tn Japan and Russia the younger generation is being educated, and I find it is the same in China I went