davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-07-10
The Tariff.

We welcome the belated promise of tar
if reform now affected by the republican
party in tardy recognition of the right
this question:; but the people acnnot
safely intrust the execution of this i'm
portant work to party which is so
deeply obligated to the highly protected
interests as is the republican party. We
direct attention to the significant fact
that the promised relief was postponed
until after the coming election-an cleo
ton to succeed in which the republican
party must have that same support from
the beneficiaries of the high protective
tariff as it has always heretofore re-
ceived from them: and to the further fact
that during years of uninterrupted pow
er no action whatever has been taken by
the republican Congress to correct the
admittedly existing tariff iniquities.
We favor immediate revision of the
tariff by the reduction of import duties.
Articles entering into competition with
trust-contro1led products should be placed
upon the free list; and material reductions
should be made in the tariff upon the
necessaries of life. especially upon arti-
Giles competing with such American man
ufactures as are sold abroad more cheap
ly than at home, and graduate reductions
should be made in such other schedules
as may be necessary to restore the tariff
to a revenue basis.
Existing duties have given to the manu-
facturers of paper a shelter behind which
they have organized combinations to raise
the price of pulp and of paper. thus Inn
posing tax upon the spread of knowl-
edge. We demand the immediate repeal
of the tariff on pulp print paper. lumber,
timber, logs, and that these articles be
placed upon the free list.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-07-10
Natural Resources.

We repeat the demand for internal de-
yelopment and for the conservation OF
our natural resources contained in pre-
vious platforms, the enforcement of which
Mr. Roosevelt has vanly sought from
reluctant party. and to that end We IN
sist upon the preservation. protection and
replacement Of needed forests, the preser-
walton Of the public domain for homo
seekers the protection Of the national re
sources In timber. coal. iron and oil
against monopolistic. control, the devei-
opment Of our waterways for Navigation
and every other useful purpose. including
the irrigation of arid lands. the reclama- :
ton of swamp lands. the ctarification OF
streams the development of water power
and the preservation of electric power
generated by this natural force from the
control of monopoly. and, to such end, we
urge the exercise OF all powers-nationai.
state and municipal-both separately and
in cooperation.
We insist upon a policy OF admins
tration of our forest reserve which shall
relieve it Of the abuses which have arisen
thefeunder and which shall. as far as
practicable conform to the police regula-
tons of the several states where they
are located. which shall enable home
steaders as of right to occupy and ac-
quire title to all portions thereof, which
are especially adapted to agriculture. and
which shall furnish a system OF timber
sales available as well to the private
citizen as to the larger manufacturer and
consumer.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-07-10
The Trusts.

A private monopoly is indefensible and
intolerable. We therefore favor the Wig
orous enforcement of the criminal law
against guilty trust magnates and officials
and demand the enactment of such addi-
tional legislation as may be necessary to
make 1t impossible for private monopoly
to exist in the United States.
Among the additional remedies we
specify three: First, a law preventing
a duplication Of directors among Compel
ing corporations; second. license system
which will. without abridging the right
of each state to create corporations or its
right to regulate as it will foreign corpor-
atoms doing business within its limits.
make it necessary for a manufacturing or
trading corporation engaged in interstate
commerce to take out a federal license be-
fore it shall be permitted to control as
much as % per cent of the product in
which it deals. the license to protect the
public from watered stock and to pro-
hibit the control by such corporation of
more than 50 per cent of the total amount
of any product consumed In the United
States: and, third, law compelling such
licensed corporations to sell to all pur-
chasers in all parts of the country on the
same terms after making due allowance
for cost of transportation.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-07-10
Publicity.

We demand federal legislation forever
terminating the partnership which has
existed between corporations Of the coun-
try and the republican party under the
expressed or implied agreement that in
return for the contribution of great sums
Of money Wherewith to purchase cleo
tions they should be allowed to continue
substantially unmolested in their efforts
to encroach upon tn, rights Of the peo-
pie.
Any reasonable doubt as to the ex-
ist"nce of this relation has been for
ever dispelled by the sworn testimony
of witnesses examined in the insurance
investigation in New York, and the open
admission. unchallenged by the republican
national committee, of n single individual
that he himself at the personal request OF
the republican candidate for the presi-
dency raised over quarter Of a million Of
dollars to be used III a single state dur
ing the closing hours of the last CAM
paign.
stopped for all time. we demand the pas
sage OF a statute Furnishing with i'm
prisonment any officer of corporation
who shall either contribute on behalf Of
or consent to the contribution by a cor
poration of any money or thing of value
to be used in furthering the election of q
President and Vice President Of the
United States or of any member of the
Congress thereof
We denounce the action OF the repub-
lican party. having complete control OF
the federal government, for its failure
20 pass the bill, introduced in the last
Congress, to compel the publication of the
names Of contributors and the amounts
contributed toward campaign funds. and
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-07-10
Railroad Regulations.

We assert the right of Congress to ex-
ercise complete control over interstate
commerce and the right of each state TO
exercise like control over commerce with
in its borders.
We demand such enlargement of the
powers of the interstate commerce COM
mission as may be necessary to compel
railroads to perform their duties as COM
mon carriers and prevent discrimination
and extortion.
We favor the efficient supervision and
rate regulation of railroads engaged in
interstate commerce.; to this end we rec
ommend the valuation of railroads by the
interstate commerce commission. such
valuation to take into consideration the
physical value of the property. the orig
inal cost and cost of reproduction. and
all elements of value that will render the
valuation made fair and just.
We favor such legislation as will pro-
hibit the railroads from engaging in bust
ness which brings them into competition
with other shippers. also legisla ton which
, will assure such reduction in TRANSPORTS
ton rates as conditions will permit, care
being taken to avoid reductions that
would compel a reduction of wages, pre-
vent adequate service. or do injustice to
legitimate investments. We heartily ap-
the rebate. and we favor any further
necessary legislation to restrain control
and prevent such abuses.
We favor such legis alton as will in
crease the power Of the interstate COM
merce commission, giving to it the initia-
tive with reference to rates and ira spor-
tation charges put into effect by the rail-
road companies, and permitting the inter-
| state commerce commission on its own
initiative to declare a rate Illegal and as
being more than should be charged for
such service. The present law relating
thereto Is inadequate by reason of the
fact that the interstate commerce COM
mission is without power to fix or inves-
tigate rate until complaint has been
made to 1t by the shipper
We further declare that all agreements
, OF traffic or other associations of railway
agents affecting interstate rates, servi"e Or
classification shall be unlawful, unless
! filed with and approved by the interstate
commerce commission.
We favor the enactment of law giving
| to the interstate commerce commits sion
the power to inspect proposed railroad
tariff rates or schedules before they shall
take effect. and if they be found to be
! unreasonable. to initiate an adjus.m ent
! thereof.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-07-10
States Rights.

Believing, with Jefferson. Gin the sup
port of the state governments in all their
rights as the most competent administra-
ton for our domestic concerns and the
surest bulwark against anti-republican
tendencies" and in "the preservation of
the general government in its whole con-
stftutfonal vigor. as the sheet anchor of
our peace at home and safety abroad"
we are opposed to the Capitalization i'm
Piled in the suggestions. now frequently
made. that the powers of the general
government should be extended by exec
utive and Legislative action and by judi
cial construction. There is no twilight
zone between the nation and the state in
which exploiting interests can find refuge
from both; and it is necessary that the
federal government shall exercise the
powers delegated to it as it is that the
state governments shall use the authority
reserved to them. but we insist that the
federal remedies for the regulation of in
terstate commerce and for the preven-
ton of private monopoly shall be added
to. not substituted for, state remedies.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-07-10
Waterways.

Water furnishes the cheapest means of
transportation. and the national govern
ment, having the control OF navigable
waters. should improve them to their full
est capacity. We earnestly favor the i'm.
mediate adoption of q liberal and COM
prehensive plan for improving every
water course in the Union which Is JUS
titled by the needs Of commerce and to
secure that end we favor when prac-
ticable. the connection of the great lakes
with the navigable rivers and with the
gulf through the Mississippi river, and
the navigable rivers with each other, and
the rivers bays and sounds of our coasts
with each other by artificial canals. with
a view to perfecting a system Of inland
waterways to be navigated by vessels Of
standard draught.
We favor the coordination Of the va
rious services Of the government connect
ed with waterways, in one service, for the
purpose Of aiding In the completion of
such system OF inland waterways. and
we favor the creation of fund ample
for continuous work, which shall be con-
Quoted under the direction Of commits
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-07-10

and IL the laws appear to work economic.
social or political injustice, 1t Is our duty
to change them. The only basis upon
which the integrity OF our courts can
protection OF lffe personal liberty and
property. II judicial processes may be
abused we should guard them against
abuse.
Experience has proved the necessity Of
a modification Of the present law relating
to injunctions and we reitente the pledge
Of our national platforms Of 1895 and 1904
In favor Of the measure which passed the
United States Senate In 1896. but which a
republican Congress has ever since re-
fused to enact. relating to contempts In
federal courts and providing for trial by
jury in cases Of indirect contempt
Questions Of judicial practice have
arisen, especially in connection with In
parties to all judicial proceedings should
be treated with rigid fmpartiality. and
that injunctions should not be issued in
any cases in which injunctions would not
Issue If no industrial dispute were in
volved.
The expanding organization of industry
makes it essential that there should be no
abridgment of the right OF wage-earn-
ers and producers to organize for the pro-
lection of wages and the improvement of
labor conditions. to the end that such
labor organizations and their members
should not be regarded as illegal combina :
tons in restraint of trade.
We favor the eight hour day on all gov
eminent work.
We pledge the democratic party to the
enactment of a law by Congress. far
as the federal Jurisdiction extends, for a
general employers liability act. covering
injury to body loss of life Of en-
ployes.
We pledge, the democratic party TO the
enactment Of a law creating a DEPART
ment Of labor. represented separately in
1AIs s1I, lDvn0 ~
ment shall include the subject Of mines
and mining.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-07-10
Arbitrary Power.

The House of Representatives was de-
signed by the fathers of the Constitution
to be the popular branch Of our govern
ment responsive to the peoples will.
The House of Representatives. as con-
trolled in recent years by the republican
party has ceased to be a deliberative
and legislative body, responsive to the
will OF majority of its members, but
has come under the absolute domination
of the Speaker. who has entire control Of
the deliberations and powers of legisla-
ton.
We have observed with amazement the
popular branch of our federal government
helpless to obtain either the consideration
or enactment of measures desired by a
majority of it's members.
Legislative government becomes a fail
ure when one member In the person of
the Speaker is more powerful than the
entire body.
We demand that the House of Represen-
Iatives shall again become a deliberative
body. controlled by q majority of the
peoples representatives and not by the
Speaker. and We pledge ourselves to adopt
such rules and regulations TO govern the
House of Representatives as will enable
a majority of it's members to direct its
deliberations and control legislation.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-07-10
Conclusion.

The democratic party stands for democ-
racy: the republican party has drawn to
itself all that Is aristocratic and pluto
cratic.
The democratic party is the champion OF
civil rights and opportunities to all: the
republican party Is the party of privilege
and private monopoly. The democratic
party listens to the voice Of the whole
people and gauges progress by the pros
perity and advancement of the average
man; the republican party is subservient
to the comparatively few who are the
beneficiaries of governmental favoritism.
We invite the cooperation of all. regard.
less of previous political afiiliatIon or past
differences who desire to preserve q gov
eminent Of the people. by the people and
for the people. and VINO favor such an
administration Of the government as will
insure so far as human wisdom can, that
each citizen shall draw from society a re.
ward commensurate with his contributions
10 the welfare of society.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-07-10
Omceholders.

Coincident with the enormous increase
in expenditures is a like addition to the
number of officeholders. During the past
year %. 7S4 were added. costing $16 49,
CO., and in the past six years of the re-
publican administration the total number
OF new offices created. aside from many
commissions, has been 99,319. entailing an
additional expenditure of nearly $1,000
600. as against only 1O.279 new ofnces
created under the Cleveland and Mckin-
ley administrations, which involved an
expenditure of only $6O0O,00O
We denounce this great and growing In
crease in the number of ofhceholders as
not only unnecessary and wasteful hut
also as clearly indicating an administra-
ton to keep the republican party in pow
er at public expense by thus increasing
the number Of its retainers and depend
ents. Such procedure we declare to be
no less dangerous and corrupt than the
open purchase of votes at the polls.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-07-10

FAIRVItW, LINCOLN, July 1o-Thc
following statement was made by William ].
Bryan when he received the announcement of
his nomination as the candidate of the demo-
cratic party for President:
The honor is the highest official posi-
ton in the world, and no one occupying it
can afford to have lis views upon public ques-
tons biased by personal ambition. Recogniz-
ing his responsibility to God and his oblga-
ton to his countrymen, he should enter upon
the discharge of his duties with singleness of
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-07-10

banks. Il has. used an emergency for
which 1t is largely responsible to force
through Congress bill changing the basis
OF bank currency and inviting market
manipulation, and has failed to give the
10 600. 600 depositors of the country pro-
lection in their savings.
We believe that in so far as the ne eds
Of the commerce require an emergency
currency, such currency should be is
sued, controlled by the federal govern
ment, and loaned on adequate securi. y
to national and state banks. We pledge
ourselves 10 legislation under which the
national banks shall be required to es-
tablish q guarantee fund for the prompt
payment Of the depositors of any insol-
vent national bank under an equitable
system which shall be available to all
state banking institutions wishing to
use II.
We favor a postal savings bank If the
guarantee I'm the bank cannot be secured
and that il be constituted SO as TO keep
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-07-10

William Jennings Bryan was born IN the
town of Salem. Marion county, ILL.,, March
10, 1860. William Bryan, the great-grand-
father of the presidential nominee. the
first of the organs known to the present
generation, lived in Culpeper county, va.
In his family there were three children.
One of these. John Bryan, was the grand
father of William Jennings Bryan. In
1907 John married Nancy Lillard. To this
couple ten children were born. One OF
these was Silas l.. Bryan, father of Viii
liam Jennings Bryan.
Silas Bryan was born in Sperryville,
Culpeper county, Va, in 1872 In 1913 he
went west, working his way through the
public schools, finally entering McKen-
dree College at Lebanon, Ill. and gradu-
ating with honors in 1S49. After gradu-
ating Silas studied law, was admitted to
the bar. and began his practice In Salem
In 1852 he married Maria Elizabeth
jennings. In 1860 he was elected to the
circuit bench. where he served twelve
years In n1s72 he was nominated Tor
Congress on the democratic ticket. re-
ceiving the Endorsement of the green
back party. He died March 30. 1880. and
was buried in his adopted home of Salem
leaving son, William Jennings.
Taught at Home.
When William Jennings Bryan was six
years old his parents moved to their farm
In the vicinity of Salem. Until he was
ten years old they taught him at home
AT ten years of age he entered the Salem
public schools, which he attended until
he was fifteen when he entered Whlpple
Academy in Jacksonville, H., in the fall
of 1879 Two years later he entered IL
linois College. and with this step new
life was opened up to him
In response to the wishes of his par
ents he took a classical course. He also
became close student of political econ
omy. During his first year at the Whip
pie Academy he delivered Patrick Henry S
masterpiece and was ranked we'll down
toward the foot of the class for his eff
forts. The next year he tried again. Sc
lecting 1.-The Palmetto and the Pine as
his subject. and this time he came out
mates following. Later in the year, by
another bit of recitation. he secured sec
ond prize at the academy. In his sopho.
more and junior years In Illinois College
he took first prizes n 18th essays on La
bor'' and individual Powers" The WIN
ming of the junior prize entitled him 10
represent the college in the intercollegiate
oratoricaI contest held at Galesburg ILL.,,
in the fall of 1850. His Grafton on Jus
tice" received the second prize Of $50
When he graduated he was selected as
class orator and delivered the valedictory-
1t was during his junior year in college
that he first met his wife. Miss Mary
Baird of Perryville. Ill.
Finished Law Course.
Bryan was twenty three years old when
he finished his law course and started
out in life for himself leaving the farm
robust, ambitious and determined to sue
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-07-10
Protection of Citizens.

We pledge ourselves to insist upon
the lust and lawful protection of our
citizens at home and abroad. and to use
all proper methods to secure for them:
whether native born or naturaftzed, and
without distinction Of race or creed. the
equal protection Of law and the enjoy
ment Of all rights and privileges open
to them under our treaty. and II. under
existing treaties. the right of travel
and sojourn is denied to American cit
zens, or recognition is withheld from
American passports by any countries on
the ground Of race or creed we FAVOR
prompt negotiations with the govern
ments Of such countries to secure the
removal of these unjust discrimina-
tons
duly authoritated passport issued by
the government of the United states to
an American citizen shall be proof tof
the fact that he is an American citizen
and shall entitle him to the treatment
due him as such.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-07-10
Public Economy.

The republican Congress in session just
ended has made appropriations amount
ing to zoos 100000, exceeding the total
expenditures of the last fiscal year by
$500, OOO. 900. and leaving deficit of more
than $6OOOO.OOO for the fiscal year.
We denounce the needless waste of the
peoples money which has resulted in
this appalling increase as shameful vio-
lation of all prudent conditions OF gov
eminent as no less than a crime against
the millions of working men and women.
from whose earnings the great proportion
Of these colossal sums must be extorted
through excessive tariff exactions and
other indirect methods. 1t is not
surprising that. in the face of this
shocking record, the republican plat
form contains no reference to econom-
ical administration or promise thereof
in the future. We demand that stop
be put to this frightful extravaganza
and insist upon the strictest economy
in every department compatible with
frugal and efficient administration.