Omaha daily bee., 1910-01-03
Bryan Pipe Dream
The "Tfs" and HAnds" Lining the
Highway that Point 70 Demo
cratic Control Of Congress.
BROOKLYN Fade (demO.

Brooklyn Eagle (dem).
A contribution sent by Mr.. Bryan to the
National Monthly for January Is likely
to attract the atAntion OF those who think
that at the congrcsslona elections to be
held next year control OF the house Of rep
resentatives will be taken from the repub-
licans. What such a chang would sig
Nifty Is, OF course. obvious. II would mean
that the country expected downward re-
vision. and that il is disappointed, not to
say disguised, with the schedules. Nor
has Mr.. Bryan any doubt that such a re-
buke would be administered but for the
unfortunate division that manifested itself
in our party" That, in his Judgment, took
away half the chance Of victory.
However, the other half remains. And
there Is but one way to tax advantage OF
1t. We are told that the party must stand
unltedly against every proposed increase
and in favor Of every proposed decrease.
1t must understand that democratic pro-
lection is not a bit superior to republican
protection; also that protection, whether
democratic or republican, invariably in
vites bargaining, trading and corruption.
Furthermore, It must realize that a plat
form which is not binding is a fraud. Hav-
AAAo illus go AZ NAN NC W NAN 'oN ~
action, Mr.. Bryan concludes:
"If we can secure a democratic congress
and pass a measure providing for sub
stantial reductions, we can enter the next
presidential campaign with confidence. II,
however, we secure a bare majority in
congress and then our party is rent asun-
der by a division on the tariff question,
as the republican party was divided over
NAu AIlwNal, Rim A,,~ --arva.N. - a,,,,a-g
in 1912 will be greatly reduced"
It is not often that the Eagle finds itself
in accord with, any program outlined at
Lincoln. Indeed, 1t can recall no occasion
when that has happened, but this time Mr..
Bryan has a true bill. According to a
careful calculation made by the Review
Of Reviews, 65 per cent of the imports
remain subject to the old rates, 15 pei
cent are subject to higher duties, and q
per cent to lower charges. While, how
ever, the percentage of increase is 81, thai
of decrease is but %, so that, taken as d
whole, there has been a raise of rates.
This Is more than sufficient justification
for the contention that the consumer was
betrayed. To that extent Mr.. Bryan is or
solid ground. He is a exponent of demo.
cratic doctrine when he takes up the con.
sumer's cause, which means that he has
anything but an imaginary grievance
against senators and representatives who
fell out Of democratic line on roll call. H
is right in principle when he demands tina
revision should have the greatest good fol
the greatest number for its objective point
but what about practice? 1t makes 6
mockery of principle and SCOTS at plat
forms.
When the editor and proprietor Of the
Commoner says that If his party secure
a democratic congress and pass a meas.
ure providing for substantial reduction 4
can enter the next president campaign will
confidence, he formulates a thought that IL
fsthered by a wish. But, he admits thai
there is only half a chance, and-he knows
that there is none at all. For a majority
in the congress to be elected next year
is beyond the reach of his party. Many
senator's will have to go and come before
that statement must be modified.
This is not the worst of 1t. The president
who occupies the White House is a re-
publican. He has the power OF veto and
he has Endorsed legislation of the Payne
Aldrich brand. Moreover, 1t is a waste
of time and energy to urge that congress
men who will ignore local interests shall
hes elected. Many representatives will re
turn to congress for the very reason tina
they voted with the majority. In othel
words, they will ave their seats because
they did that for doing which Mr.. Bryan
thinks they should be left at home.
So, however commendable part Of the
Nebraskan's program may be said to be
it prescribes impossible conditions. Instead
of being half optimistic it should be wholly
p~essimistlc. And 1t overlooks altogether
the introduction of a new and consequential
factor. Tariff rates have been referred t.
experts who are looking for enlightenment
1t will TAX them about two years to ge
it, and that will be soon enough. They
cannot do much worse than congress, ant
they may recommend better. AS for tn,
interval. what can't be cured, must b.
endured.
AN IOWA ANNIVERSARY.