The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-10-03
ROOseVe|rs "Trust Rustng'' Plan Is to Make People
 Pay the Fines
GREAT TRIBUTE 10 BRYAN
 BRINGS CROWD ID ITS FEET
J. Hamilton Lewis Makes a Short Talk and Brings Cheering News From Eastern States Where He
 Has Spoken.

JOhH w. Kern, uemOcratlc vice preSl- dential nominee, stood up before Ala bama's democracy in the Jefferson theatre yesterday afternoon and poured hot shot into Roosevelt, Taft and the republican party. His speech was one of the ablest tariff reform arguments ever heard in Bir- mingham. He ridiculed what MT. Roose- welt calls suppressing the trusts by ''mak- ing the people pay big fines," and Nsaid that the $29 000, 900 fine was the biggest joke ever perpetrated in history.
 He traced the history of the country from the time when there were not a dozen millionaires in the United States to where "40 men rule the financial and in- dustrial business of the nation,' and blamed it all on the laws which the re- publicans have passed for the benefit of special privileges. "If Theodore Roose- velt, with all his imperious power, his enormous will and personality Is unable to overcome this dormant power in his own party, what will happen with the weak little Taft elected and Roosevelt over in Africa hunting lions?" he asked.
 MT. Kern took up the Roosevelt letters, and in closing paid high tribute to MT. Bryan, which was echoed by the applause of the crowds.
 The curtain rose at 2:S0 o'clock, and MT. Kern was greeted by a house filled from pit to dome with intelligent democrats. On the platform sat J. Hamilton Lewis of Chicago, Lee Cowart, James Hard, Adj. Gen. Bibb Graves, Jere c. King, next chairman of the state committee, Frank S. White; Chambess Kieth, John F.. Shel- by, J. D. Collins, John w. O'Neill, w.. B. Dickinson, w. D. Nesbitt, Ben T.. Head, Samuel Blackwell, Senator John F. Wilson of Blocton. A. G. Little, Senator Nat L. Miller, Congressman oscar W. Un- derwood and Representative Sam Will John.
 H. S. D. Mallory of Selma, the retiring chairman of the state democratic com mittee, called the meeting to order and made the speech of introduction. He said:
 Colonel MalIorys Speech.
 '"rhe presence of this great audience witnesses to the importance of the elec- ton soon to occur, and the admiration we entertain towards our candidates.
 "When 1t Is considered that in Novem- Der next the electors of the several states will determine who are to be the consti- tutional governors of more than S0,00O,000 of Americans, and the governmental pol icies that shall guide them, the over whelming magnitude of the event is seen.
 'The democrtic party has undertaken the task of restoring our national govern ment to it's true constitutional functions and limitations. It is warning the coun- try that the republican party, during it's 40 or more years of almost uninterrupted control, has been faithless to its trust that instead of administering the affairs of the government in the interest of all the people it has devised and carried out policies for the advantage of special and favored classes; that taking advantage of the wonderful prosperity and growth of the country due to it's unexampled re- sources, and to the intelligence industry and vigor of our citizenship, it has de- ceived the people, and made them be- lieve that this prosperity is the fruit of republican policies and rule.
 We are giving warning of the breakers so near that it does not require the skilled eye of the statesman to see them. We are pointing out the extravaganza of the ruling party, an extravaganza so reck- less that appropriations of more than a billion dollars were made at the last ses- sion of Congress, and which, if not checked will become still more reckless and debauch the public service and op- press the people. We are pointing out the enormous and unnecessary increase in the number of officeholders, forming a class of government adherents apart from the people, removing them from the industrial occupations of society and maintaining them at the expense of the taxpayer; the insidious colonial policy which is tuggng at constitutional limi- tations with all the force and power of imperialism; the rise of Cannonism, the eXaltation of committe rule, by which Congress has ceased to be a legislative and dellberatve body, and has become the unwilling instrument of a small CO., terie of republican bosses; the degrada- tion of state sovereignty-that home rule so dear to the American heart; the iniquitous tariff-the mother of trusts whose evil broods are eating the vtals of our country.
 Democrats Offer Relief.
 "The allotted time for an introductory address will not permit reference to all the shortcomings and evils of republican misrule. We do not merely cry out these warnings, but we are offering relief at the hands of the great democracy the party of constitutional government, of honest and economical administration, the party that in defeat, as well as in victory, throughout the many years of its existence, has been the party of the people.
 Our great standard bearers are men of unimpeachable characters. No stain no taint-no odorSof graft or wrongdoIng clings to them. Their environment has always been good. They are men of broad and comprehensive views. When in power, as God grant they may be on the 4th of next March, they will bring to the discharge of the duties of the great offices of state, loyalty, experience, abil- ity, fidelity and statesman-like grasp of public affairs.
 We are firm in the belief that with the return of our party to power under their leadership the government at Wash ington will again be for all the people. and not for favored classes. No longer will the question be asked: Shall the people rule" but in every quarter of this great republica will be proclaimed the glad news that the people do and shall rule. Hence it is with more than pleasure, that on behalf of this club and the dem- ocratic hosts of Jefferson county 1t rep resents, and on behalf of the democracy of Alabama, I welcome to our state and this city, and now introduce to you that great American citizen, who, we verify believe the people of the United States at the November election will call to the office of Vice President, the Hon. John w. Kern"
 Candidate Warmly Greeted.
 The crowd continued cheering full minute when Mr. Kern arose and said T am deeply grateful for your greeting.