The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1908-08-18
lie! THE PEOPLE RULE
-
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES


According to the declaration of
William Jennings Bryan, made re-
peatedly during his recent speech of
acceptance, the Democratic slogan Is
to be Let the people rule" Accord
Ing to Mr.. Bryan's present silence
upon his 1886 and 1900 remedies for
national Ills the people have ruled
even to his (Bryan's) satisfaction
that what he then proposed was not
for the peoples good. II the same
calm judgment prevails in this as in
the past three national campaigns
the people will rule for a continuance
OF the Mckinley and Roosevelt poll
cies that have done so much for the
upbuilding and betterment of oul
nation. We are dealing with a con
dition, not theory. The party pol
icies that brought the country safely
and prosperously form the Industrial
blight of Cleveland's administration
In 1894 can be better trusted to deal
wisely with the present business de-
preston. 'Tis no time to change well
proven remedies for those OF an ex-
perimental character. prescribed by
physician who every four years
abandons what he previously declared
to be necessary for the nations
health. II the Democratic party be-
lleves that so-called popular govern
Is lllt TtIueuy LOT one OF
our national problems why not good
for all other weaknesses with which
they feel our nation to be suffering?
For instance. II they sincerely desire
to diSfranchise the colored brother
why don't they advocate doing so
through the direct vote of the people
nationally? Let the people rule"
Our constitution which exists through
the peoples will, provides for right
of franchisement Independent Of a
voters color This can only be chang
ed rlghtfully and legally by the peo-
pies rule, direct popular govern
ment, for which the Democratic par
~ Is now desperately pleading and
yet, here in West Virginia, their plat
form promises disfranchisement of
the colored brother through the leg
islature, letting the United States
constitution, the rule of the people.
direct or popular government so to
the "deminition bow-wows.'
Trick Ballot System.
They know their pledges could not
\ be constitutionally executed and
therefore must mean to follow the
course their party has pursued In
other states. namely. a trick ballot
system, that would enable them to
rob as many people. regardless of
color, of their votes as would insure
NE louS nOlu upon the riRnJS ana
privileges OF the people. Maryland
has been cited as an example by GER
tain Of the advocates of thia species
OF legislation in an effort to show
| 1t is good thing for the Democratic
party. Now, even in that state what
was the real situation? The Demo-
cratic power was in power contlnu-
ously in Maryland for thirty odd
years and latterly ruled with such
high-handed methods both in and
out of their party. as to cause wide
spread dcnunciation and their final
overthrow in 1895. In all the years
of their undisputed rule they never
thought II wrong for the colored
voter to exercise his right of fran
chisement. There was no effort
toward disfranchisement. 1t was not
even thought of. No. they had the
machinery Of their "oligarchy" TO
make and count votes and such a
thing as color was not a consideration
with them. The Republican party
gave to Maryland in 1895 the Au-
stralian ballot law, and then every
man was guaranteed full protection
in the casting of his ballot and the
fair counting of all the ballots as
cast. Under this. a Democratic gov
ernor, Hon. John Walter Smith. was
elected four years later with a DEM
ocratic house and senate, by small
msjorities, but the following year
President Mckinley again received
the electoral vote of Maryland for