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The Commoner.
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WILLIAM J, BRYAN, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR
VOL. 12, NO. 10
Lincoln, Nebraska, March 15, 1912
WJiote Number 582
Put None But the Faithful on Guard
In selecting delegates to the democratic national convention
the voters should remember, first, that the' platform comes before
nominations and that the platform will largely affect our chances.
Second, that after the candidate instructed for is out of the race
the delegates act upon their own judgment.
It is important, therefore, that delegates should be chosen who
are in sympathy with progressive ideas. The platform must be pro
gressive if we are to make a winning fight and it will not be pro
gressive unless the progressives control the convention.
And, so, if the progressive instructed for can not secure the
nomination the delegates must get together on some one else and
that "some one" will be a reactionary if the reactionaries control
the convention. These are progressive times and only those who
are genuinely progressive can give faithful expression to the senti
ments of democratic voters. PUT NONE BUT THE FAITHFUL
ON GUARD. There are lots of men in our party who are reaction
ary honestly so. Such can not be trusted to speak for progres-siveness.
Showing His Hand
If there are any democrats who have been
misled by the claim that Mr. Harmon is really
a progressive they may have their doubts re
moved by' a glance at the contest now going
on in the state of Texas. The Houston Chronicle,
a Wilson paper, points out that the contest is
between Wilson and Harmon and adds:
"The progressive wing of the Texas democ
racy has rallied under Wilson's banner, the
stand-pat wing under the banner of Harmon. f
"Now, in all candor, the Chronicle feels that
the democrats of Texas are fortunate in having
the opportunity to choqse between two such
men as Wilson and Harmon, In a campaign
where the main issues are so clearly drawn that
no man can mistake them. v
"Within the democracy, then, the voters are
to determine whether they wish to nominate a
stand-patter or a progressive.
"They are to say whether they wish the party
to stand for class government, advocated by the
Harmon men, or genuinely democratic govern
ment, advocated by the Wilson men.
, "Upon this issue the Chronicle has not the
least doubt in the world that the democrats
of Texas will decide in favor of Governor
Wilson.
"We believe the majority of the members of
the Texas democracy recognize the absolute
necessity for the party to go forward, keeping
pace with the progress of industrial and political
evolution.
"We believe the majority favors larger popu
lar participation in government and the aboli
tion of special privileges under government."
If there be any that doubt that the Houston
Chronicle has stated the issue in Texas cor
rectly they may have their doubts removed by
reading the Forth Worth Record, a strong Har-
CONTENTS
- SHOWING HIS HAND
WHERE DO THEY STAND?
THE INCOME TAX BILL
A SIGNIFICANT PHRASE
CHINA'S EXAMPLE
THE CONSOLATIONS OF AGE
MR'. BRYAN'S TOUR OF THE WEST
THE STORY OF THE STEEL TRUST
GOVERNOR WILSON ON THE MONEY
TRUST
COURAGEOUS DEMOCRACY
HARMON'S RECORD
HOME DEPARTMENT
NEWS OF THE WEEK
WASHINGTON NEWS
mon paper, issue of Wednesday, March 6th. In
an editorial entitled, "The Issues Joined." The
Record says:
"All who oppose Wilson's views should op
pose Wilson and all who oppose Harmon's views
should oppose Harmon. Preference for men
should be subordinated to conviction for
principles. Then the contest will settlo the
question whether Texas favors or opposes one
set of policies or the other. The issues are:
"1. The initiative, referendum and recall,
with Wilson favoring and Harmon opposing.
"2. Free raw materials, with Wilson favor
ing and Harmon opposing.
"As to the first, it is fair to state that Gover
nor Wilson opposes the recall of judges as a
matter of expediency, but he favors all these
doctrines in principle. On the other hand,
Governor Harmon1 concedes them to local com
munities that desire them bxit opposes their
wider application as subversive of representative
government. Governor Wilson contends that
they are not now national issues, but he is mak
ing his campaign upon them and his support
consists chefly of those democrats who indorse
them. Therefore, his nomination will signify
democratic acceptance of the doctrines whether
or not they be specifically enunciated in the
democratic platform.
"Men who seek preferment at any cost of
principle may flirt with radicalism, compromise
with Its proposals and placate Its advocates.
But the masses of private citizens who do not
seek office or covet distinction will array them
selves according to their judgment."
QUERY?
If a man guarantees a note and the maker
becomes insolvent payment can be demanded of
the guarantor. Has this legal proposition any
thing to do with the present political situation?
Mr. Taft went into the White house on the
strength of Mr. Roosevelt's guaranty; Mr.
Roosevelt" now wants to take Mr. Taft's place
does that mean that Mr. Taft is a political bank
rupt? And Is this a case whether payee the
public should demand the pound of flesh and
force. Mr. Roosevelt to take the presidency him
self? . 1
RECOGNIZE THE CHINESE REPUBLIC
A republic in China means that the spirit of
progress operates In a mysterious way. Nowhere
' could this revolution in government command
greater attention than when it takes place
among the people whoso nation was regarded as
the foot ball of European politics and whose
people were thought to be laggard in civiliza
tion's race. America ought to be the first to
formally recognize the Chinese republic. It
is to be hoped that no red tape common to the
diplomatic corps will prevent the recording of
this formal recognition at an early day.
Mr. Roosevelt's support of reforms Is appre
ciated but when he asks credit beyond demo
crats one is reminded of the old colored man's
inquiry. He was hoeing cotton in July and
mopping the perspiration from his face looked
up at the sun and asked: "Whar was yo' last
December when we needed you."
Where Do They Stand?
When, some months ago, The Commoner sub
mitted a list 'of questions to those aspiring to
the presidential nomination at the hands of the
democratic party, the New York World was
indignant that Mr. Bryan should have been so
presumptuous. The World, forgetting this,
seems disposed to make some inquiries itself.
It submits some questions, and why not? Why
should a candidate hesitate to express himself
on the Initiative and referendum? Govornor
Wilson has dono so. He favors both. Mr.
Underwood has dono so; he opposes both. While
Mr, Harmon refused to answer the World's
questions he showed his, opposition to both by
his speech before the Ohio constitutional con-'
vention. Why should any ont hesitate to speak
out on this subject? It is not likely that the
national platform will say anything on the sub
ject, but a man's position on the initiative and
referendum indicates his general attitude toward
popular government. A man who, like Presi
dent Taft, Governor Harmon and Mr. Under
wood, fears the people and opposes measures
which insure a responsive government such a
man looks at public questions from the aristo
cratic standpoint and is likely to go wrong on
all questions affecting the rights of the masses.
Write to candidates on this and on other
questions and The Commoner will be pleased to
publish answers. "Let there be light." .
A CORRECTION
Some prohibitionist is given as authority for
the statement that "Mr. Bryan will introduce a
prohibition resolution in the democratic na
tional convention and try to incorporate it in
the platform." As this statement has been given
wide publicity Mr. Bryan takes this means of
correcting it. The statement is entirely with
out foundation. Mr. Bryan has never had any
thought of introducing or supporting such a reso
lution and does not expect any one else to do so.
MP. SCHWAB'S THREAT
Charles M. Schwab of the Steel trust told the
senate committee that if the steel tariff was
reduced ho would retire from the steel industry.
Well, Mr. Schwab has admitted that he has
already made out of steel more money than he
knows what to do with and perhaps his place
will be taken by someone who is willing to de
pend upon his own efforts rather than on the
favor of the government for his profits.
DID YOU NOTICE IT?
The New York World did not approve of Mr.
Bryan's effort to secure a real investigation of
the Money Trust; has the World taken notice
of the fact that the Pujo resolution was broad
ened to include the Henry resolution? Mr.
Bryan can afford to be criticised by the World
and even by members of congress if he can be
of service to the people in compelling publicity.
If those republicans who laughed so heartily
when the gold democrats were fighting the regu
lar organization will look carefully they will
see the fight, not less interesting which the pro
gressives and stand-patters are making.
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