Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1913-05-15
CONVENTIONS UNNECESSARY
Platforms Will Be Written by the
People and Their Representa-
tives Will Make the
Future Laws.

,ristocracy, and predicted that before an
Ither presidential election the presden-
hal primary will be so general that there
will be no need for the holding of national
conventions.
Secretary Bryan came to the Pennsyl-
yania ca pitol to speak at the JEFFERSON
anniversary dinner of the Central Demo- |
cratic club of Harrisburg. After being
formally welcomed by Governor Tener In
the executive offices the secretary OF state
was escorted to the crowded hall Of the
House of Representatives where he was
introduced by Speaker Alter
Mr.. Bryan said he appreciated the honor
,f addressing the members of the Legs |
lature as he was going to speak at
democratic club dinner at night ana ne
was glad to get all non-partisanship out
Of his system before evening.
The secretary said he desired 10 talk
20 the legislators OF fundamental IDEAS
hat are up at this time
Jefferson, a century ago. spoke or
two parties" he said. lone was the
Democratic party and the other the
eristocratic party. The Democratic
party is that party which tries to
bring the government near the people
md the arstocratic party is that which
desires to restrain and obstruct popu-
TAR government
"1t l. important to know whether
The legislative representative is hold
l,g +o the democratic idea or to the
,ristocratic i6ea," he continued The
sristocratic idea of government OBJ
,ains more sfter election than before,
vet I do MT know of any man who
ever ran hfore election on aristo-
cratic ideis. but I have known of
some democrats who ran for election
ON democratic ideas and afterward
edopted the aristocratic views despite
the fac! that the democratic view is
he POPULAR view"
DECLARES PLATFORMS BINDING.
Mr. Bryan said that platforms are
becoting more specific year after year
hecase the people are believing in
the, each year. TT is settled prin-
cip of this country" exclaimed the
secetary. that a platform Is binding
urn every man that runs on that plat
ftm Some men violate platforms be-
cIse they say they cannot violate
-eir conscience. Far be it from me
have any man violate his con-
tience. No man should violate his
conscience, but that does not mean
that ne should violate his party plat
form. 1t means that his conscience
should begin to work before he is
elected and not afterward. If after
election he cannot violate his con
science to keep his party pledges, he
should resign and not put his con-
science above the conscience of his
constituents"
Speaking of progressiveism Mr.. Bryan
said there was time when he seemed
10 be a radical. Now l have to hurry
to keep up with the other radicals he
added.
Secretary Bryan told of his interest in
the income tax as far back as II years
ago and how pleased he was that an in
come tax amendment has now been
Continuing he said: "Twenty-three years
Continuing he said: "Twenty-three year
ago l advocated that United States sena-
tors be elected by the people. Yesterday
was notified that the 36th State had
ratified the senatorial amendment. And
in a few days it will be my delight to
affix my signature to that document that
will put the United States Senate into
the hands Of the people.
Now. let me tell you something else
The day OF the boss is gone. The peopl,
will write their own platforms hereafte,
and send their own representatives t.
the legislative halls. And I venture &
say that we have seen the last OF tn
great national conventions. predic
that before another presidential election
rolls around the presidential primar
will become so general that the presiden
tial candidates will be elected not by tn
bosses or party leaders but by the pee
pie"
Secretary Bryan was accompanie
rom Washington by Secretary of Labo
VIM b. Wilson, Congressman A Nit
chen Palmer and Warren Worth Bale
of Pennsylvania and James l. Blaksle
fourth assistant postmaster-genera
The party was Joined at the capitol b
George W. Guthrie of Pittsburg, the ne
ambassador to Japan,
Secretary Bryan, at the dinner OF III
Central Democratic club said he wa
making his first political speech sine
he put ION his new reserve" II a.
here tonight as the sub for the Fres
dent" he said.
NO NEED OF PROGRESSIVE FART
Mr.. Bryan said that President Wi
son has shown the country that II
Democratic party is not party
panic.
Referring to the fractional quarrel
the Republican party last year, II
secretary of state declared there is
need for a Progressive party. IF II
progressives stand for principles" sa
Mr. Bryan. they will stand with II
Democratic party If the progressiv
feel they can help the country thu
should help the Democratic party ~
not stand aside and antagonize 1t. TT
democrats have made their fight +
progressive measures. Where we
The progressives when the Democr
tic party years ago made its fig
against Wall Street domination?"
Mr.. Bryan called attention TO tho &c
errors the democrats have elected. 10
at Governor Cox of Ohio, There's a
former who asked SO reforms and got 81
said he.
1T was q democratic governor in N
Jersey who first gave us the light brea
Ing in the East. 1t was democratic &c
crnor who first arrayed himself with
people.