The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-06-02
DEMOCRATS HOLD
 B|G LOVE FEAST Underwood Answers MT.
 Bryan's Attack FOLK MAKES ADDRESS Underwood Is Willing to Stand on His Record in Congress and
 Says Caucus Gives Mir.
 Bryan an Answer
FOLK MAKES ADDRESS

St. Paul, June NV. J. Bryan, speak ing tonight at the banquet of northwest ern democrats, did not indicate a prefer ence for a presidential candidate for 1912, nor was any official action taken by the delegates present from the northwestern states showing their preference for any candidates.
 MT. Bryan spoke in high terms of Gov. John Burke of North Dakota and former Governor Folk of Missouri. both of whom were present He referred to them as candidates for the presidency" and said that should either be nominated he would travel about the country and work in their behalf.
 Colonel Bryan denounced the decision of the supreme court of the United States on the tobacco and Standard Oil cases. St. Paul, Mnn., June 1.--About 800 dem- ocrats, representing the progressive ele- ment of the party in the northwest, gath cred about banquet tables tonight to eat, drink and be merry over the victories of the democratic party in state elections throughout the country.
 The North Dakota delegation came with a well defined boom for Governor Burke as the presidential possibility in 1912.
 Martin J. Wade of Iowa was willing to have 1t announced that the Iowa delega- ton was for Burke for the second place on the ticket, inasmuch as he beleived it highly probable an eastern man would be named to head the ticket.
 After the dinner had been disposed Of w. J. Wade, acting as toastmaster, reao a telegram from Judge Alton B. Parker expressing his regrets at not being able to be present.
 Governor Burke, W. J. Bryan and Joseph w Folk were among the speakers.
 Former Gov. J. w. Folk of Missouri, speaking on Progressive Democracy,'' said in part:
 "A crisis has been reached in the affairs of the republic. The newspapers are filled each day with accounts of thievery ana graft. What does it mean? Is corrup- tion becoming a national disease? Is not the government itself in a large sense to blame for this seeming general dis position?
 When a government by means of mo- nopoly traiff attempts to take from one class and gives to another, moral ques- ton is presented. Wealth created by legislation must be drawn from the public. A tariff other than for revenue is merely legalized graft. The congressman who votes for protection on something pro- duced in his district cannot deny the de- mands of other congressman for a larger share of the tariff plunder for their dis tricts.
 "It is a question for us not of found- ing party, but in the preservation of the ideals of the old party. Not the forma- tion of a new government, but the puri- fication of a nations life. Not the con quest of foreign foes, but the subjecton of those within.
 Let us in this crisis be conservative in charging wrong-doing, lest injustice be caused in charging where it does not exist; sbut once sure of the evil, let us be radical in it's extermination. There can be no peace between these enemies and the peoples safety. We cannot avoid conflict with them without being recreant democrats and traitors to our better na- lures. Progressive democracy is con- structive."
 Washington, June 1-Replying to an at tack on the Underwood wool bill at St. Paul today by William J. Bryan, in which he charged that an effort was being made ito betray the democratic party into the hands of the protectionsts," Represen- tative Underwood declared tonight he would stand before the country on his tariff record in Congress.
 ''I never bolted a caucus or scratched a ticket" said MT. Underwood. 'I am willing to stand on my record in Con- gress on the tariff and defy anyone to find it inconsistent. l have always voted in any tariff legislation for the lowest du- ties and if that is protection MT Bryan is welcome to make the most of it.
 "I was first elected to Congress as Cleveland democrat on platform which advocated tariff for revenue. l have kept the same position and voted as did MT Bryan for the Wilson bill which was tar if for revenue measure"
 Asked what effect MT. Bryans attitude would have on the wool bill Mr. Under- wood pointed to the House chamber where the democrats were in caucus and said:
 MT Bryan will ge. his answer In there in few minutes.