The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-02-24
BRYAN PLEASED THEM.
More Conservative in Speech. With
Praise for Roosevelt.

Il
Praise for Roosevelt.
In introducing Mr. Bryan, Chairman
Farrelly declared that in his honest
opinion the next president of the Uni
ted States was before them and in no
manner throughout his remarks did the
Nebraskan deny the allegation.
MIR. Bryan still fayors government
control of railroads and still has that
harov smile. But he has grown broad
er and more conservative with the
passing years. He had much to say
of the evils of the country and of the
necessary remedies. But it was in no
Gross of Gold or Crown of Thorns"
style. but in sound, logical, forceful
manner that was impressive and told
of the mans earnestness. When you
have no case abuse the other side Is
an aphorism that has been adopted by
political contestants since Antony as
sailed Brutus. But it's poor politics
and Mr.. Bryan did little of it. In fact
he had only good words for Roosevelt
and felt thankful for the adoption by
the president of many of the policies
and doctrines he, himself, had long adj
vocated. 1t gave Wall street an op-
portunity to turn dts rapid fire guns
away from him for a time while they
House.
Mr.. Bryan showed touch of feeling
in referring to the endorsement of him
self for the presidency by the Kansas
Democracy. He was sure 1T was not
eIoquence and ability that was reSpon-
sible for this but because he stood for
things that the people wanted and the
things that would not die
In his remarks he quoted extensive
ly from the Bible because he said that
was a doctrine that his opponents could
not very well assail. His political en-
emies had called him a Dreamer" and
to this he plead guilty. The Bible men
toned "dreamers. Joseph was one of
them. He was banished from home
but when the famine came and those
who had banished him went after relief
Joseph had the corn. ''Dreamers live
forever" he explained, but toilers die
in day"
jefferson was the worlds greatest
dreamer and he would be well content
if, when his days were numbered, he
could feel that he had contributed his
mite towards raising Jefferson's dreams
higher.
Again he repeated that he felt kind
" towards Roosevelt and was satisfied
that the president enjoyed more what
Bryan was saying about him than
what Wall street was saying. Roose-
welt had made many of his theories re-
spectacle by adoption. They used to
be termed anarchistic. For the past
eleven years the Republicans were in
supreme power with the United States
courts thrown in but they had failed
dismally to satisfy the demands of the
people Insolent speakers had told
how the Republicans had entered into
partnership with the Almighty. and
that so long as these people continued
to elect the Republicans good crops and
good times would continue. But he
Judged from recent bank failures one
of the partners had retired.
He gave evidences of Democratic
platform indications. They had asked
for more money and he was sure a sill
yer dollar, so despised in SO, was now
more welcome than clearing house GER
tificates.
He thought the disturbing trust mag
mates should see the Jail Even Taft.
he said, agreed with him there. That
is. not now, but after election. And then
not ALL but one or two.
Bryan declared the trusts should be
exterminated. They could not be reg
ulated. They could subsidize the press
and buy the voters. One trust magnate
alone he charged, at the request of
the president, had raised a quarter of
a million dollars among his co-workers
to carry a certain state. Then they re-
imbursed themselves out of the peo-
ple's pockets. He dispensed with the
railroad question quickly. Democrats
now, as in years past, demanded that
there be no watered stock. All of
sudden the opposition had come to look
at this in the same light. Ii they have
no watered stock why do they object
to an investigation. He wanted rail-
road bonds made just as safe an in
vestment as county or state bonds.
He declared that the principle of
government control has already been
established and all that is necessary
now is to determine the details. He
attacked the railroad presidents who
have been insisting that the action of
many state legislatures in passing
anti-railroad legislation was RESPONSE
BILE for many railroad men being laid
off temporarily and all extension and
Improvement work stopped. "This
condition is not due to the action of
any state legislature he said. These
conditions are due to the exaggera-
tions and Misrepresentation which
have been used to prevent legislation
for the good of the people. The rail-
road mon have tried to intimidate
legislatures by threats of depression
and the loss of business. They insist