The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1909-05-08
BRYAN REPLIES
70 The Criticisms of Congress
man Clark Of Florida
UNABLE TO APPEAR
So He Writes Letter 10 the House
of Representatives of Florida,
Which Had Invited Him to Adj
derss It-He Discusses Several
Matters of Importance.
Matters of Importance.

"When a representative cannot con-
scientiously do what his constituents
conscientiously desire him to do, he
ought to be conscientious enough to
resign and let them select a repre-
sentative in harmony with them. .
This, in brief, is William j. Bryan's
attitude on the pending tariff bill,
presented in letter addressed to the
Florida general assembly and read
in the house Tuesday night. Mr..
Pryan found it impossible to accept
the invitation extended by the leg
islature to come to Tallahassee and
address them in answer to Mr..
Clark's criticisms of the Nebraskan
and certain doctrines contained in
the Denver platform.
The reading of his letter was greet
ed with prolonged applause.
There are two schools OF
thought" says Mr.. Bryan, in re-
gard to the duty of the official:
The aristocratic theory is that people
elect representatives Ito think for
them; the Democratic theory is, on
the contrary, that people think for
themselves, and elect representatives
to give legal expression to their
thoughts and to voice their senti-
ments.
'I am suspicious of the official
whose conscience is dormant during
the campaign and only active when
he wants to find an excuse for do
ing what his constituents do not
want DONE"
Turning his attention from Mr..
Clark. Mr. Bryan addresses himself
to certain proposed legislation as
follows:
'There is a reform which should
receive the support of all, whether
thew believe in prohibition gor not.
This reform is this. that the Federal
government should discontinue the
issuance of licenses for sale OF LIQUOR
in territory where local authorities
decide to prohibit its sale" Es
Touching on trusts and monopo-
lies, Mr.. Bryan declares that "the
trust question is on with which the
State must deal. Under our dual
form Of government the monopolis-
tic corporations have been playing
each government against the other.
They contend that they are engaged
in Interstate commerce when the
State attempts to legislate, and are
staunch advocates of States rights
whenever the federal government at
tennis to restrain.
''The regulation of corporations
is usually the most difficult subject
with which a LEGISLATOR has to deal,
because of the influence brought to
bear npon the legislator by the cor
porations.
Estate government should en-
ploy their powers for the protec-
ton of the public against the evils
Of private monopoly and I believe
tat the best as we'll as the simplest
solution will be found in legislation
fixing the percentage of control
which corporation shall exert over
the product in which he deals"
AS to the need of more adequate
banking laws he says: "The banks
are not now sufficiently secure, as is
evidenced by the fact that the
national government. the State gov
ernments. counties and the cities all
require special security. A large
part of the banks prestige is due TO
the fact that it does business under
charter granted by the govern
ment and is so regulated and inspect
ed as to give the depositors conf
dence in its solvency, and it is only
fair"
In conclusion Mr. Bryan said:
.'The initiative and referendum a"'
hcirs adopted hv State after State
and they perfect our representative
form Of government by bringing
the government nearer to the peo-
n1a ~