The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1908-09-10
HUGHES ON BRYAN.

1t would possibly be expecting too
much Of MIR. Bryan to have him throw
up the sponge and declare for the cleo
ton of Mr.. Taft. 1t is surprising, how
ever, to clear-headed people that he
should still cling to his proposals. The
sclmetar of argument, piled by Mr..
Taft and now by Mr.. Hughes. has re-
duced to tatters the net with which he
had expected to capture the votes of
the country, Never since Mr.. BRYAN
was butfeted about by the economists
and tinanciers of the country for his
silver views has he been so scathinglv
analysed and found wanting as in The
youngstown speech of Governor
Hughes. WeRcall for popular election
OF senators, says Mr.. Bryan. So does
Mr.. Taft, replies Governor Hughes.
bat to bring this to pass requires a
Observation-Disclosures and is hardly
a subject upon which to elect presi-
dent. We declaresagainst the tyranny
OF the speaker Of the House, says Mr..
Bryan. And would substitute the
tyranny of minority replies Governor
Hughes.
1t is when the New York Governor
riddles TIE larger proposals of BRYAN.
however, that the particular qualities
OF his clear slightedness appear. For
the curbing of the trusts Mr.. BRYAN
would have placed upon the free list all
articles coming into competition with
those controlled by the trusts. " which.
aptly responded Mr.. Taft, might des-
troy the trusts, but would assuredN
crush the small competitors Of the
trusts. Now, Governor Hughes adds
that Mr.. bryan has wiggled out of his
platform by saying he has other trust
curbing propositions rp his sleeve and
might not invoke The one in the plat
form. What then, asks Governor
Hughes, becomes of the essential
justice Of the proposal, and what part
does 1t play in immediate revision? A
knottyiquestlon for anyone who is not
an adept in political juggling. -
When the speaker discussed the Brv-
an trust-busting scheme Of a federal
license for any corporation controlling
more than % per cent. Of the product
and the prohibition Of control of more
than 80 per cent. he showed the fal!acies
that make surprising Bryan's claim of
benefits. Governor Hughes is not i'm
pressed by the magician wand of BRYAN
and disillusions the candid-r'inded of
the charm cast by the Nebraskan's
eloquence and argument. Pointing out
the ambiguity of the Bryyn expression,
'any product consumed in the United
States, y he asks, does it refer to
class of commodities or to each seDarate
article of commerce." If the latter,
then what account does this proposal
take of the skill and initiative of manu-
facturers who have built up more or
less exclusive trade in particular objects
often protected by trademarks,
although in most active competition
with other articles designed for the
same general purpose and seeking the
same market?' In an effort to correct
business evils are we, he asks, to 'place
an embargo upon honest endeavor
whose activities present none of the
causes requiring remedies?" How long
Is the rule of excess of production to
apply? What system shall be devised
by which suitable information may be
furnished in the way of danger signals.
so that the manufacturer may know
when he is about to exceed the ratio?"
Many articles are covered by trade
marks. Are the patent laws to be wip-
ed out in order that there shall be no
'lndefensible private monopoly" Then
should the Bryan proposition go into
effect, how about the ACKNOWLEDGMENT
of plants when their production exceeds
20 percent? How about the loss of
employment to those suffering the re-
duction of output and the CONSEQUENT
idleness of capital? The proposal is
in utter disregard of the fact of bust
ness" Such is the summary made by
Mr.. Hughes.
In like manner the speaker punctur-
ed the bankguarantee proposal. He
showed that, no matter how the bank
losses might be made good, the plan
placed aipremium upon dishonesty and
recklessness, and that there would be
a great increase in bank failures. On
the other hand, Bryan has nothing to
supply the demands for an elastic cur
rency. Certainly the great bulk of the
people will sheer far off from the Bryan
proposals and accept the statement of
Mr.. Hughes: at is to the Republican
party under its wise and experienced
leadership that we must look in the
present eXigency for proper guidance 8"