The sun., 1916-12-07
Prohibition, Equal Suffrage
and Abolition Of Electoral
College His Chief Planks.
FOR REFERENDUM ON WAR
Opposed to Universal Training
and to Federal Control
Of Railways.

wv ~ |.sstv
cratic party and TO see accomplished
within the next four years were outlined
tonight by william Jennings Bryan at
Q dinner given In his honor by admirers
among Democratic officials and members
Of Congress. Nationwide prohibition he
urged AZ most important. and other
causes IN his list included woman sui
frasc by Federal amendment, election OF
the President by direct popular vote. and
changes to make the constitution moro
easily smendable.
In addition to his programme to b.
advocated. Mr.. Bryan gave a prorl-
nent place to two things he o u
ngbt.
The EFFORT to give the Federal Govern
ment exclusive control over railroad
regulation and 'the menace OF MIL.
tarism." presented by proposals for uni
versil military service.
Praise FROM Wilson.
Snceches laudlnE Mr.. Bryan. and par-
t~lcularly his work for the part during
the campaign just won. were made by
many OF the diners, a letter wan
read from President Wilson. with whom
the former Secretary Of state and Mrs.
Bryan had lunched during. the day. The
President wrote:
"WiIl You be kind enough to convey
my very cordial greetings to Mr.. Bryan
and - those who are assembled to do
him honor at the dinner on Wednesday
evening? In the recent campaign no one
rendered more upselnsh service than MIR.
Bryan. and am happy TO know that
this dinner expresses the genuine ad-
rnira'lon OF all Democrats for him. May
] not by this means convey to him my
warmest cong ratulations and best wishes
for his continued health and .happi-
ness
In reviewing at length the accom-
pli'' menis Of the Democratic Admins
trat.on. Mr.. Bryan said the work had
been done IN one short term under the
leadership Of "A great democratic Presi-
dent. LOYALTY supported by a Congress
equally Democratic"
tEninst Federalised RoaLs.
y shall take advantage OF the on.
poriinity which this thinner Affords" ne
continued. TO poin: out a few OF the
issues which seem to me within the
range Of ACCOMPLISHMENT during a. next
four years. Hut he fore taking up the
things which should he secured. II is
worth while to consider for a moment
two things that should ba. prevented.
AN enor: II now helms made by the
railroads tn secure Hesitation and n
necessary 4 constitutional amendment
depriving the States of all regulative
power Owe them and giving to Con-
s?ess exclusive control over railroad
regulation. The consolidation OF all rail-
road legislation M Washington would
not only transfer to the national capital
an amount OF work which would over
Nhclm the national authorities. and
therefore decrease the efficiency OF Fed
eral SUPERVISION. but II would bring a
railroad influence into the election Of
every Congressman - well as intensity
the railroads interests In Presidential
campaigns.
81. would do more than that. II would
practically obliterate State lines and
lead to a GENERALIZATION which would
threaten the very existence Of our dual
form Of government.
Opposcs Universal Training
I'VE cannot afford 10 shut u eyes to
hc menace OF militarism as IL Is now
presented In concrete form. A large in
creaSn IN the number Of army and navy
officers drawing salaries for life and
traiied IN a profession which teaches re-
lance ufon the steel blade rather than
or the sword of truth tends to substitute
rake standards of lonors for the more
peaceful standards that prevail amone
the producers OF wealth.
III IS not unnatural that the mag.
hNIinG OF tho profession OF arms should
k've support to the proposal for universal
military service. a system which Is no,
only unnecessary but the adoption OF
which could not fail to breed that mill.
tary spirit which mas contributed &c
m,Sc'y 10 the encouragement Of war In
other lands"
10 inform the voters Of questions un.
ncf consideration at an election Mr.
brSan proposed the publication of :.
government bulletin. with space divide
among political parties according t.
Young strength. He also suggested that
heNspapcrs. In return for their mailing
privileges. should be required to give
certain space for matter the Government,
desires published.
For Popular Elections:
The election has shown us th,
eiumsiness of our electoral college and
INC dangers which attend the method o.
ERECTION he continued. while tn.
party electors are all pledged to tn,
same candidate. the vote which h re
celre sometimes varies a little. accord
ing to the popularity or u~npopularity o
the elector himself. Some pan shoulc
De devised by which the voters can yot,
directly for the President.
Another reform for which Il seem,
70 me wa are now ready Is a change II
tne Constitution. making II more easil,
sinendable. II Is now necessary 10 hav.
!wo-thirds OF both houses and three
iourths OF the states to procure al
amendment Tha Is an unfair burden
10 place upon the progressive element O
The country.
~ venture to uggest that the rule o
!ne people would he made more secur,
Nv a constitutions amendment permit
uhs a change In our organic law wheI
q majority OF both houses In two sue
ctRsive congresses submit an amendment
ana that amendment Is ratified by q ma
Jority Of the States, provided the amend
nent also receives a majority of all tn
so'es cast on thai proposition In all tn
States.
Equal suffrage was the one questio
upon which all parties were agreed 4
the last campaign. their differences re
laiing only to the method Of procurin
the reform. While The Democratic an
Republican parties failed to commit
themselves to a national amendment, "
might as well recognise the fact mat
national amendment will come when IN
reform In adopted In a sumcient numbe
OF States to make tts adoption by IN
nation probable.
The Democratic party. which build
upon . foundation which 10 esssntiall
ethlcal--the doctrine OF brotherhoOd-