The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1909-11-04
BRYAN'S PLATFORM.
Principles for Future Campaigns m
Outlined by 1.-THE COmmOncr."

Outlined by ''The COmmOner."
In a recent issue of The Common
er" Mr. Bryan announces his plat
form for future campaigns, as follows:
l. a platform is a pledge. given by
the candidate to the voters. and when
ratified at the polls becomes a contract
between the official and his constitu-
ents. To violate it, in letter or in spir-
it is not only undemocratic, but re-
pdgnant to the principles of represen-
tative government, and constitutes an
embezZlement of power.
2. We denounce the despotism
known as Cannonism and favor such
an amendment to the rules of the Ma
tional House of Representatives as will
restore popular government on that
body and insure the rule of the major
ity on every question.
3. We indorse the tariff plank of the
last National Democratic platform and
believe that the measure carrying out
the promise of that platform should,
among other things. provide for:
Free wool, the abolition of the COM
pensatory duties on woolens and a
substantial reduction in the ad valorem
rates on woolens.
Free lumber, free wood pulp and
free paper.
Free hides, leather. harness, boots
and shoes.
Free oil and products of oil.
Free iron ore, free coal and low du-
ties on all manufactures of iron and
steel
Free binding Irvine, cotton ties and
cotton bagging.
Material reductions in the cotton
schedules and in the tariff upon all
other necessaries of life, especially up
on articles sold abroad more cheaply
than at home, the aim being to put the
lowest duty on articles of necessity
and the highest duty on articles of
luxury. Articles coming into COMPETE
ton with trust made articles should
be placed on the free list.
No tariff rate should be above 90 per
cent ad valorem. except upon liquor
and tobacco, and all rates above % per
cent excepting those upon liquor and
tobacco, should be reduced one-twen-
tieth each year until 20 per cent rate
is reached. the purpose being to reduce
the tariff gradually to a revenue basis
and thereafter to collect tariff for rev :
enue only.
1t is hardly necessary to say that
the Democratic party could never win
on any such platform. By the time
the next Presidential election comes
round it will be exactly twenty years
since the Democratic party elected a
President. In that twenty years the
American people have learned by ex-
perience much that they did not know
in 1892. They have learned the folly,
the blight and the curse of free-trade,
as contrasted with the wisdom. the
benefits and the blessings of Protec-
ton. That is a lesson not easily un-
learned by the mass of the people. A
few politicians of the adventurous
and ambitious sort seem to have I'M
learned it. Perhaps they will be at
tracted by the Bryan platform. If so,
we'll and good There will be enough
Protectionist Democrats to take their
places and their absence will not be
felt. AS for Mr. Bryan. he neither
learns nor unlearns. He is always the
same Bryan, the same Peerless De-
feated The country has three times
rejected him and his policies. 1t will
reject him again If the Democratic
party ventures another experiment in
Organism. OF this, however, there is
small probability Bryan has figured
in the game too long already. His flu
ture place is in the discard.-Ameri-
can Economist