Bluefield evening leader. [volume] (Bluefield, W. Va.) 1906-1911, 1908-07-31
Independence PARTY
PLATFORM CRITICISED
Nebraskan Sees Many Planks Identi.
cal With or Substantially Similar
To Those on Which He Stands.
Democratic Party Offers
Wage. Farmers Best
Opportunity to- Sc
cure Needs.

Fairview, Lincoln, Neb.. July 81.
The actual preparation OF the
speech of acceptance was begun by
Mr.. Bryan yesterday. Among the
notable visitors who will be present
on the day of notification will be
John w. Kern, OF Indiana, the Dem
ocratic vice presidential nominee.
At the conclusion OF the exercises
Mr.. Bryan will receive the notifca-
ton committee and several disting-
uished guests Ut Fairview where
supper will be served on the lawn.
Unlike his distinguished opponents.
who refused to accept an elephant
as n mascot. Mr.. Bryan yesterday,
In response to a letter from the ag-
ricultural society OF Minnesota tel
egraphed that he would be delight
ed to avail himself OF their offer to
send him an educated mule as a
mascot"
He IL said to understand the
habits of the elephant" declared
Mr.. Bryan with a twinkle OF the
eye. land for that reason. among
others I shall accept him"
Although the heat was most OPP
pressive Mr.. Bryan was early at his
office and at work. After reading
the platform adopted by the indie
pendence part1in Chicago he gave
out the following statement:
1T contains number OF planks
which are identical with or sub
stantially similar TO the planks of
the Democratic platform. For in
stance 1t demands the election of
senator's by direct vote OF the peo-
pie, as the Democratic platform
does; its tariff plank Is quite like
our tariff plank; its plank on the
trusts. while opposing private mo-
nopoly Is not as specific as ours; its
\ Eailroad plank does not differ much
from ours; its plank on Asiatic inn
migration Is quite similar and its la
Dor plank, like ours. contains
declaration in favor of trial by jury
and In regard to the exemption of
labor unions from the operation of
the antitrust law. Like our plat
form 1t condemns the extravaganza
of the Republican party and de-
mands greater economy. 1t does not
advocate, however, establishment OF
department of labor with a secre-
tary in the cabinet; II does not op.
pose Imperialism, which has been
used to Justify the increase in ouI
standing army. and its plank as &c
publicity of campaign contributions
is not nearly so strong as ours. The
question that must confront each
member OF the independence party
Is this: Will he assist in the de
feat of the Democratic party which
stands for so much that he favors
merely because he can not get all
that he would like? Either the
Democratic party or the Republican
party will win, and the voter who
preferring the Democratic platform
to the Republican platform joins
with the Independence party mere
ly assists the Republican party. and
thus defeats s8Efral of the reforms
In which he Is Interested. Take foI
instance the plank for the election
OF senator's by the people. The
Democratic party has endorsed that
reform in three campaigns. The Re.
publican convention defeated the
proposition by an overwhelming
vote. II the Democratic party sue
ceeds, its members are pledged to
this reform. The Republican party
Is not pledged to II and the Repub-
lican candidate has gone no farther
than to say that ne is personally in
clined toward It. This reform Is
necessary. before any other reform
can be secured. Is not the indie
pendence voter justified in helping
the Democratic party 20 secure this
reform? SO I'm regard TO the labor
questions. The Democratic party Is
I'm favor OF remedies demanded by
wage earners and a wage Garner
who votes with the independence
party. simply defeats the reforms in
which he Is interested And the
same argument might be made in
regard to those who favor tariff re-
forms. the determination Of princi.
pie OF private monopoly and the
remedy OF other evils which have
grown up under Republican admin
istrations The question is MOI
whether one can get all the reform
that he wants, but how he can gel
the most reform. The Democratic
party offers him the best opbortunl
~ TO secure that which is obtaina
bic at this time"