The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1908-11-11
Bryan and His "Principles."

to the election last week, are beating the
air in vain attempt to save Bryan's
face. As an instance of this, the Herald
says:
"The fact that the Republican party
exists to-day is due to the skill and tact
exercised by President Roosevelt in
adopting Mr.. Bryan's principles and
theories and giving to the country the
assurance that while these policies were
proper and correct the Republican party
was ready and willing to adopt them.
Nearly everything commendable in the
Republican party to-day is due to the
influence which Mr.. Bryan exerted upon
the minds of men during the last twelve
wears and most that is Objectionable in
the same party has been apologized for
and promises made that they too shall
be reformed and brought in accordance
with the public conscience which MIR.
Bryan's theories have nodded"
Going to Bryan's record to discover his
principles and theories" We find the
following:
/, While member OF the SD Con-
gress, at the special session in the fall of
1898, he voted against the repeal of the
silver purchase clause of the Sherman
bill, and the repeal was accomplished
by Republican votes. Roosevelt has not
adopted this, the earliest of the princi-
pies announced by Bryan.
2. In the same Congress, Bryan voted
for the Sugar Trust Tariff. The principle
of this tariff has not been adopted by
Roosevelt.
8. In 1896, Bryan's platform demand
ed tariff for revenue only, the abolition
of National banks, and the bunco dollar
through "the free and unlimited coinage
of both silver and gold at the ratio OF
sixteen to one." None of these Bryan
principles have been adopted by Roose-
welt.
4. In 1900, Bryan's platform again de-
manded the free and unlimited coinage
of the bunco dollar at the ratio of sixteen
to one, free trade, the abolition of the
national banking system, the reduction
of the army to skeleton, and the indie
pendence of the Philippines, under the
protection of our government. Roose-
welt has not adopted any of these Bryan
principles.
5. In 1904, Bryan's platform again
condemned "imperialism" in the reten-
ton and government of the Philippines,
and the protective tariff. These Bryan
principles have not been adopted by
Roosevelt.
Looking at the Republican record, we
find the following as its leading points :
l. In 1888, the Republican National
Convention made the first declaration
on record, in any party platform, in op-
position to trusts and monopolies-viz
aWe declare our opposition to all
combinations of capital organized in
trusts or otherwise, to control arbitrari-
ly the conditions of trade among our
citizens and we recommend to Con-
gress, and the State Legislatures, in
their respective jurisdictions, such legis-
lation as will prevent the execution OF
all schemes to oppress the people by un'
due charges on their supplies, or by un'
just rates for the transportation OF theil
products to market. We approve the
legislation by Congress to prevent alike
tions between the States"
The Democratic platform of that yeal
was wholly silent on this subject, and
was devoted chiefly to the condemnation
of protection and the approval of tht
Mills free trade tariff bill, then pending
in Congress.
2. In189O, Republican Congress pass
ed and a Republican President signed
the Sherman Antitrust Law, unde
which numerous prosecutions of trust
and combinations in restraint of trad,
have been carried on.
8. In 1892, the Republican Nationa
Convention followed the action of tn,
preceding Convention by this terse anC
emphatic plank in its platform
"We reaffirm our opposition, declared
in the Republican platform of 1888, Il
all combinations of capital organized il
trusts or otherwise, to control arbitrari
ly the conditions of trade among ou
citizens. We heartily indorse the actor
already taken upon this subject, ant
ask for such further legislation as ma,
be required to remedy any defects il
eAiSGlnR laws anu 10 TcIlueI OnclT eli
forcement more complete and effective.
The Democratic platform, adopte'
twelve days later, followed the Republi
can lead on this question by demanding
the rigid enforcement of the laws en-
acted, and such further legislation a
might be found necessary.
Neither party again referred to tn
subject, in its platform, until 1900
Meantime prosecutions were begu
against some of the most cOnspicuou
violators of the antitrust law, and si
of these cases were carried to the U
S. Supreme Court. In these the scop
and purpose of the act, and its applica
ton to various operations, were clearl
defined, its principles definitely estah
lished, and the ground laid for furthe
proceedings under it.
In 1900, the Republican nations
platform declared "We recognize tn
necessity and propriety of the homes