Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1912-10-19

"ao Ttgot6DU6
BY WILLIAM JENNINGS BRYAN.
Solomon says that the borrower In
servant unto the lender. II this ap-
plies to one who borrows ideas Mr..
Roosevelt does not recognize the obli-
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 It 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 monopoly in ideas could be
formed and made subject to regulation
by 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
assalllng the Democrats bitterly and
has shown toward them a hostility that
10 hard to explain.
To show the extent OF his borrowing.
let me enumerate some Of the things
which he now advocates that were nd
vocated by the Democrats at an ear
lier date.
shall the People Rule?
Take his paramount Issue OF the
present ampaign-namely. the rule Of
the people. The platform adopted by
the Democratic national convention at
Denver four years ago contained the
following:
"'Shall the people ruler Is the over.
whelmlng issue which manifests itself
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. II 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 II 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.
Il 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 IL now advocating the direct cleo
tion Of senators. but II be 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.
Tho Democratic party began the fight
for the popular election OF senators
twenty years ago this summer. when
o Democratic house Of representatives
at Washington passed for the first time
q resolution submitting the necessary
amendment. Since that time n similar
resolution has been passed by the house
in Eve other congresscs-hrst. 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 indorscd by the leg.
islntures OF nearly twothirds 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 II Is quite certain that
q 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 vote OF seven to
one. resolution indorsing this reform.
Still MFR. Roosevelt did not say any.
thing He neither rebuked the Repub-
lican convention nor indorsed the
strong plank which was included In
the Denver platform. Even Mr.. Taft
went 50 fur during the campaign OF
1908 as to say that PERSONALLY he
was INCLINED TO favor the popular
election OF senators by the people. but
Mr.. Roosevelt did not even indicate an
intention IN that direction. Now. when
the reform Is practically secured-the
amendment being before the states for
ratitcation-he declares himself In IN.
vor OF It. Would It not be fair for
him TO indicate In some way his mp.
probation OF the long continued eight