The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1908-07-23
BRYAN ON LABOR RIGHTS
Believes 1t Should be Rep
resented in Presidents
Cabinet.
PLATFORM
Says No Platform Has Gone So Far
ms Democratic i'm Interests Of Toll
ing Masses--Sends Appeals to Far
mcrs for Campaign Funds-Sinews
Of War to Come from Them.

Of War to Come from Them.
Lincoln, July 23.-The labor ques-
tion was the subject of a speech by
Mr.. Bryan at his home on Friday to
q delegation from the Central Labor
Union of Lincoln, wh.,.- had come to
present resolutions indorsing him. He
declare, that no national party plat
form had ever gone SO far as the Dem
yer declaration In recognizing the
rights of labor.
1T is true that the platform adopt
ed at Denver provided remedial meas
ures in favcr of the laboring man.
which have my most cordial approv-
al. There is one plank there that |
was very anxious to have in the
platform, the plank that proposes a
new cabinet position-a Department
of Labor with secreary at its head.
There should be a representative Of
the toiling masses sitting at the
Presidents table, sharing in his de-
liberat!ons and speaking there on
close questions in which labor is es-
peclallN interested,
Il think, too, that we should have
an amendment to the antitrust law
that will draw a distinction between
those who associate themselves to-
gether for mutual benefit and those
who associate themselves together in
an industrial corporation for the pur-
pose of monopolizing some article of
commerce. l am glad also that
that is a provision in there in re-
gard to trial by jury in cases of
indirect contempt.
II am glad, too. that we were able
to agree upon an injunction plank.
| think the form in which the
party's position is stated upon that
subject ought to be satisfactory to
all.
II have simply briefly referred to
these as some of the planks in the
platform. l believe that 1t can be
said that no great party has ever
much as our platform does. that is
of vital interest to the great toiling
masses of the country, and l am glad
that the platform has been broad
enough to embody remedial legisla-
tion needed by all elements of our
population. In a word, that plat
form. 1t seems to me, speaks forth in
the interest of the average man-of
the common people"
Mr.. Bryan and Mr.. Kern followed
up the action of the National Com
mittee limiting the amount of cam.
paign contributions. They issued an
appeal to the farmers of the coun-
try to contribute money. The de-
termination of the Democratic lead
ers is to make it apparent that this
is a peoples campaign, and that the
sinews of war must come from the
people and not from the corporations.
The appeal is as follows:
ITO the Farmers of the United
States: The first contribution made
to the Democratic campaign fund this
year, so far as we know, was made
by an Iowa farmer. Just before the
Denver convention met this man,
who modestly prefers not to have his
name mentioned, journeyed more
than 100 miles to Lincoln with his
contribution of 500 which he left
with Mr.. Bryan, to be given to the
committee when organized for the
campaign.
1T is very appropriate that this
first contribution should come from
that great body of our population
known as agriculturists. The far
mer has nothinc to gain by privilege
and favoritism; his hope is in the
application of ne doctrine of equal
rights to all and special privileges to
none.
Now that the Democratic party
has announced its determination not
TO accept contributions from corpor-
ations and not to accept excessive
contributions even from individuals,
and to publish all contributions when
over reasonable minimum, it ought
to be able to secure a sufficient sum
from the citizens who ask from the
Government nothing bu, protection
t. their rights and consideration for
the general welfare.
"Our fight is a fight for the whole
people. CUR aim is equal and exact
justice to all; our purpose ic to re-
store the Government to the hands
of freely chosen representatives OF
the voters. How many farmers will
join In furnishing the fund neces-
sary to present the issues?
WILLIAM j. BRYAN,