"
The Commoner.
WILLIAM J. BRYAN, EDITOR AND PUBLISHER.
wvrfr" i - wt
'ol. s, No. 3,
Lincoln, Nebraska, February 3, 1905.
Whole Number 211
"Precursors of Sociasm"
The Wall Street Journal says: "Mr. Rocke-
iller and Mr. Morgan may or may not know it,
it they are regarded by many advanced social-
Its as the greatest advance agents of socialism
the world today. Instead of being violently an-
igonistic to these representatives of organized
ipital, many socialists egard the work which
ley are doing as being a necessary work of prep-
1
Ration for the final triumph of socialism. 'No
ther two men in the world today,' remarked a so-
lalist not long ago, 'are performing so admirable
K service as Rockefeller and Morgan. I have no
eling of hatred for them whatever. In fact, I
slieve that some day or other the world, will be
recting monuments in their honor.' "
Mr. Rockefeller and Mr. Morgan may not bo
blind as some would suspect. Indeed, not long
go, Mr Morgan was quoted as saying that the
ion who, like Morgan, were engineering these
:eat combination schemes, were "the precursors
if socialism."
Perhaps Me3srs. Morgan and Rockefeller do
t care, however. Perhaps they take it for granted
lat no material change will be wrought during
Lheir lifetime, so they are building, regardless of
BRING UP THE QUAKER GUN!
'fitdin is M.he .system agUnst? which tltey ' have .
iveighed so bitterly. -.-- "- "-r-AtfL;- AhV'dt
l It- I -tint:nurUvyirtw.KTlTfThKr??1-,tHT1r
cf erect ifionumerits jn honor "of rilen wlio -prey
ipon the necessities of the people. - ' ' ''''
JJJ
Attacking Corruption
It is worthy or note that the public conscience
being aroused on the subject of corruption in
)litics. President. Roosevelt's recommendation cf
legislation compelling the publication of campaign
bntributions was a blow at corruption for there
juld be but little corruption but for the fund3
mtributed" by the big corporations to secure ad-
jinistrative or legislative favors. Governor Dur-
ttn of Indiana, retiring from office, presented a
lathing arraignment of the corruption in his
tate and Governor Adams of Colorado signalized
us entrance upon the duties of his office by
Ldministering a rebuke to the corruptioni3ts of
us state. It is a wholesome sign and another
proof that the American people can be trusted
aeai witn seir-government. Tiiey may for a
fhile permit evils to grow, but at last they rise
their might and secure reform.
JJJ
Parry Cries "Socialism"
Mr. D. M. Parry, the utra plutocrat who is at
Hie head of .the National Association of Manufac
turers, denounces as "socialistic" tlie proposed en-
irgement of the scope of the Interstate Commerce
iw. It may bo remarked in passing that Mr.
arry Is a vice president of the Indianapolis South
ern railroad and this might account for hi3 views of
lilroad regulation, but ho i3 perfectly consistent.
taking the position" he does against the rights of
fmployees it is not strange that he should take
le side of the railroads against their patrons.
JJJ
Railroad Regulation
The Hepburn bill does not go as far a3 the
president's recommendations. The democrats
lould Insist that the republicans in congress sup
)rt the president in every good movement and the
boveraent.for the regulation of railroad rate3 is
igood one. ,
" "Wi a wmmmam i m MMMiy i i
the President has called fora big gun. Will he be satisfied with this?
I THE RUSSIAN REVOLUTION
The expected has happened. Russia is now the
scene of bloodshed because arbitrary power is deaf
to the petitions of the people. The spirit of Pat
rick Henry is abroad in the land of the Czar and
"give mo liberty or give me death" thrills the
world. A few weeks ago the Zemstro presented
an argument in support of their demand for rep
resentative government but they were met with
the reply that while some reforms would be inaug
erated the autocracy would not consider the propo
sition to establish a legislature. Then came a
workmen's strike innocent enough in itself but
when .the Czar (or some one for him) refused to
see a deputation of laboring men and ordered the
soldiera to fire upon the petitioners the cry for self
government was the prompt response. The end
can not be seen. Censorship may for -awhile keep
the actual facts from becoming known to the out
side world, but there is but one solution, namely,
constitutional government. The Czar might have
made himself immortal, by recognizing the justice
of the demand of his people and conceding to
them participation in their own government, but
he was blind enough to refuse and now he hears
curses upon the lips jf those who recently ad-,
dressed him as "Little Father." It was ever thus.
That "governments derive their just powers from
the consent of the governed" is a self evident
truth and a failure to recognize it whether here,
or in the Philippines, or in Russia, means blood
shed, and nlore bloodshed. The American people
without regard to party or creed will sympathize
with the struggling masses of Russia and bid them
Godspeed. Their progress will ascend with the
l.rogrcss of Father Gopon, who, like Hidalgo,
the leader of the Mexican revolution, brings re
ligious zeal to the support of the cause of freedom.
JJJ
Civil Service Reform
There is a growing disposition to put the
police department in the cities under the civil
service but it has thus far been impossible to pre
vent politics from entering into the appointments.
The trouble Is that an attempt is made to conceal
the politics of the applicant whereas a sound and
stable civil service must rest upon a recognition
of the politics of the applicant and upon' a fair
division of appointments between the parties.
iWhen It, a, esjrecl . to, :place . department under
d
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