The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1912-10-25
SOMERSAULTS
OF ROOSEVELT
william Jennings Bryan Analyses
Record Of Third Term Candidate,
HIS SUDDEN CONVERSION.
No Message In Behalf of PeoplA's Cause
In Seven and a Half Years 7. r.
Was President.

was FFcbluGUNs
BY WILLIAM JENNINGS BRYAN.
Solomon says that the borrower Is
servant unto the lender. II this ap-
plies to one who borrows ideas Mr..
Roosevelt does not recognize the obll-
cation, for he has not only borrowed
from the Democratic party as few pub
lie men have borrowed from an oppos-
ing party, but he has shown himself
strangely ungrateful for the ideas TAX
en-. OF course 1t will not be contended
that an idea can be patented. 1t Is the
only thing, in fact, that is not subject
to monopoly.
Even Mr.. Perkins, with all his fond
ness for the trust, would not contend
that a monopoly in ideas could be
formed and made subject to regulation
by a bureau appointed by the presl-
dent. Mr.. Roosevelt, however, has won
his popularity by the advocacy of
things previously advocated by the
Democrats, and still he is all the while
assailing the Democrats bitterly and
has shown toward them hostility that
is hard to explain.
To show the extent of his borrowing,
let me enumerate some of the things
which he now advocates that were ad-
vocated by the Democrats at an ear
Her date.
Shall the People Ruler
Take his paramount issue of the
present campaign-namely, the rule of
the people The platform adopted by
the Democratic national convention at
Denver four years ago contained the
following:
"'Shal the people ruler is the over
whelming issue which manifests itsel
In all the questions now under discus
sion"
Here is the very phrase which he
employs, and it is not only declared to
be an issue, but the overwhelming is
sue. 1t was dwelt upon by the candi-
dates and by other speakers during the
campaign, so that Mr.. Roosevelt, then
president, may be assumed to have had
notice of it. He not only refused to
admit then that 1t was the paramount |
Issue, but he displayed extraordinary |
activity in urging upon the country |
Mr.. Taft whom he has since declared |
to be the agent of bosses and the enc |
my Of popular government.
1t would seem that he ought to make |
some slight acknowledgment of his in
debtedness to the Democratic party for
suggesting this issue to him. At least,
he might put the issue in quotation
marks.
He is now advocating the direct cleo
ton Of senators, but If he ever ex-
pressed himself in favor of this reform
earlier than two years ago the fact
has escaped my observation, and have
not only watched carefully. but waited
anxIously, for some favorable express
sion from him.
Long Fight For Popular Election of
Senators.
The Democratic party began the fight
for the popular election of senators
twenty years ago this summer, when
a Democratic house of representatives
at Washington passed for the first time
a resolution submitting the necessary
amendment. Since that time q similar
resolution has been passed by the house
in five other congresses-frst, in 1894
by another Democratic house; then,
after two congresses had elapsed, by
three Republican houses. and, last, by
the present Democratic house. During
the twenty years the reform has been
indorsed in three Democratic platforms,
the platforms Of 1900, 1904 and 1908.
and it has been indorsed by the leg
Of nearly two-thirds of the
states. Mr.. Roosevelt must have | ,
known of the effort which was being
made by the people to secure the popu-
lar election Of senators. and yet he took
no part in the fight During this time
he was president for seven and one
half years, and it is quite certain that
a ringing message from him would
have brought victory to the peoples
cause, but no message came. Four
years ago the convention which he !
controlled and which nominated Mr..
Taft rejected, by a vote of seven to
one, a resolution indorsing this reform.
Still Mr.. Roosevelt did not say any
thing. He neither rebuked the Repub-
ican convention nor indorsed the
strong plank which was included in
The Denver platform. Even Mr.. Taft q
went so far during the campaign of I
1908 as to say that PERSONALLY he
was INCLINED to favor the popular
election of senators by the people. but Il
Mr.. Roosevelt did not even indicate an
Intention in that direction Now, when c
The reform is practically secured-the 1
being before the states for e
ratitication-he declares himself in IA Il
Eor of it. Would 1t not be fair for q
lim to indicate in some way his ap- v
probation Of the long continued fight
Taged by the Democrats in behalf of
his reform before he espoused it? A
T. r. and the Income Tax. d
Mr.. Roosevelt is in favor of an in :,
'ome tax. How long since? His first \
Endorsement Of it was during his Sec
md term, and then it was suggested E,
Is n means Of limiting swollen for. -,
unes and not as means Of raising ;,
'evenue. The Democratic party in. =
luded an income tax provision in the 81
wilson law of 1894 When this pro- n
ision was declared unconstitutional Fl
Y the supreme court by Il majority 4
T one the Democratic party renewed 81
he fight and has contended for the p
lcome tax in three national cam. W
aigns, In 1908 the Democratic plat
)rm demanded the submission of an G