DECEMBER 25, 1908 The Commoner, SOLVING THE MYSTERY OF 1908 Albert C. Holloway. Akron. Ohio Wo im,i a large democratic gain in my precinct, city and county. Consequently we have no "mystery of 1908" to solve. We were very well organized during this campaign, having an organization extending to every precinct in the county. Wo propose to maintain our organization during the coming winter. It is our intention to open up permanent headquarters which will be the home of. the Bryan club as well as the various party committees. I. M. Adams, Ravenwood, W. Va. Our losses were due to the fact of the failure of the Cleveland administration arid to the fact that re publican speakers urged strongly that the same" result would follow democratic victory this time "Can the democratic party hope ever to gain control of the federal government?" Yes by re organizing on a' progressive and liberal plan with equal civil rights to all citizens and protective tariff on all competitive goods. O. H. Reed, Chairman Ingham County Dem ocratic Committee, Lansing, Mich. You ask, "Can the democratic party hope ever to gain control of the federal government?" Important question, that. Too much guess work for me. I hope, I trust, for the triumph of all measures which will equalize the burdens more justly, and distribute the enjoyments more equitably, that rewards of all will be commensurate with willingness to do and ability to execute, and that these will be unhampered by any of man made creations. I "never dream though right is worsted, wrong will triumph." As long as democracy believes in the creatures that God made, does it not believe in God himself? Some times I think that the salvation .from "known abuses" lies Jn a spiritual or religious movement and not in a political or man-made movement. Jesus Christ did not go after office, but declined all temporal power, but taught the correction of all governmental as well as physical ills by inculcating spiritual knowledge. W, S. Byram, Harrisonville, Mo.. The dem ocratic party should in the future advocate more Strenuously than ever, those policies which will inure to, the benefit of the whole people, which are beneficial to the. masses and not the classes. One thing which defeats the democratic party is that a large vote which the republican party receives is cast in its favor from ignorance and prejudice, and is, not determined really from the policies advocated by either party, but from other canses.. The negro vote, which is almost cast entirely for the republican party is drawn to it through ignorance, and prejudice and not on account of the policies, which divide the parties There is no doubt but a large number voted wth the republicans on account of their fear that the "captains of industry and finance" would cause hard times if the democratic party should win. They give credit to the republican party for the high price of corn, cattle, hogs, etc., and made tQ. believe that if the democrats should win, there would be such a slump in the market as wo.uld cause losses to thousands of people all over the country. While this would not have been true, a large number were taught to be lieve it, and the effect was just the same. I believe the democratic party will eventually win by being aggressive, persistent and contending for those things which are for the best Interest of the people as a whole. The republican paTty is so thoroughly intrenched in power, with a large army of officeholders, backed by the trusts, who have grown rich from special legislation granted to them, makes it a hard fight to win, but by thorough organization, united efforts, the democratic paTty will win because it is right and ought to "win. It may be years, but the demo cratic party should never give up. The demo cratic party is more united today than it has been for years, and has no good reason for re tracting any policy advocated before the elec tion, nor ever give up the struggle for better government, hut should form a solid phalanx and move forward as one man for those prin ciple's for which it has been so long contending. "We should not become weary in well doing for in due time; we shall reap our reward if we faint not " W. L. Marley, Bentonville, Ark. I think the loss entirely due to the Influence of the almost universal belief that the moneyed and government favored interests of the country cduld and -iroiild 'bring about 'a money stringency and panic if 'Bryan -were elected and seemingly 4-v. t. iii-w- nt im nprmiA to make the THE SCOPE OP THE INQUIRY In its issue of November 13, The Commoner invited contributions to a symposium, having for its purpose an inquiry into the causes of tho results of the 1908 election. The Commoner asked tho co-operation of its readers in every section of tho country, submitting theao questions: Did the democratic party make losses in your county and precinct? If so, to what influence were such losses due? "What course shall reformers adopt for tho future? Can the democratic party hope over to gain control of the federal government? The fourth installment of this symposium Is printed in this issue. It should bo understood that tho publication of any particular opinion does not mean that Tho Commoner endorses that opinion. In order that tho Inquiry shall be thorough it will bo necessary that wide scope be given tho contributors to this symposium, and these opinions are to bo printed with the names of the writers. For the preparation of this symposium Tho Commoner must lay down certain unalterable rules: First, replies must be brief and to the point. Second, the writing' must bo plain, Third, the tone must be respectful, the lan guage non-libelous and free from epithet al though the widest possible latitude will be given for the description of the conditions that contributed to tho result and tho expression of opinion as to the future course of reformers. The name of tho contributor will be used. Tho Commoner will continue this sympo sium from week to week, covering sufficient time and space In whlch-'to clear. up "Tho Mys tery of 1908." sacrifice at the -present. All 'democrats and many republicans with whom I am acquainted freely admit that reforms of government are necessary and their execution absolutely impera tive to the future well being of tho peoplo; all seem to realize It involves a certain personal sacrifice and many shrink from It. I think the democratic party has heretofore made the mistake of Incorporating in the platform too many reforms at once notwithstanding many are needed. I believe it more feasible to settle one great question at a time. Tho greatest question before the people and the one most easily ex plained is tariff reform. In my judgment the cause democrats should adopt for the future and make their battle cry is "tariff reform." The democratic party will yet gain control of the government if God intends this to remain tho land of the free and tho home of the bravo, which I 'hlnk He does. Eva M. Johnson, Fayette City, Pa. I hope I am not taking too great a liberty in thus writ ing to you to express my deep regret at your defeat in tho recent election. I wished so ar dently for your election, indeed your own family could .not have desired it more earnestly than I, and the disappointment was heart breaking. But although'you were not elected, you havo thousands of admirers and supporters all over the country and, In my opinion, more really close friends whom you have never seen than any man in the United States. Last night I read in the paper your article, "A Battle Lost, a War but Begun," In which you call the re sult of tho election "the mystery of 1908." Tho paper stated that you had started an inquiry among your readers as to the cause of that result. As I am among the number of your readers and a member of that class from whom you expected the greatest support the labor ing class I venture to send you my opinion in the matter. With tho finest platform ever drafted by any party; with a reputation for hon esty integrity, and high moral character that has successfully run the gauntlet of three presi- lt It, dontlal campaigns; and backed by tho sunnort at organized labor leaders its well a of your nJrty the outlook for you was Indeed a bright one a id at work ?n m!i thcnr( wo ovcral influences party ,8 lww iho party of rpf Uv ? bTh?f i?nn!,Ub,,Cnn imrty n coh uve. i no socialists, our most radical party and advocating complete reform in govornS' havo made amazing gains In (ho past four ynars and these gains havo, of course, booi made at the sacrifice of the older parties Which imrty Ism; tho democratic, made up of thoso secklnr oft hlddon,12r rn,OVOd from " wSffl or tno hide-bound, conservat vo republicans S?t!reirirft,3r,c?ntfnt w,lh "ndltlSE a thoy exist? it Is tho laboring classes, those who suf fer most from present day oppression an from whom you expected your strongest support that have swelled the ranks of the soemffi ' And al u ! know for a Poaltlvo tact that many ?hne MSmrf.vPI;0rtC(1 th0 do'no'rntIc ticket this nine simply because you were tho canrfirtntn (my own father and brother among U nim. ,S:,2 f d(i l,nk their number wasVoarTy sufficient to offset the exodus from domocracy to socialism. Secondly, tho protective tariff Is a Humbug that continues to fool more peoplo than any other humbug over concelvod. Peopo with nioro patriotism than intelligence nro emmht by the phrase "protection of American industries." Few people roally understand the tariff, and hence follow the lino of least resistance In ad vocating soniothlng already established. But the most potent Influence In directing tho vote of the masses of tho American people was fear. Thoy well reallzo that tho republican party is controlled by tho corporations and moneyed In terests. They also reallzo that tholr dally bread 13 dependent on the will of thoso Interests, and they feared to antagonize thoso who control tho source of their meagre incomes. Moro than ono corporation threatened to shut down the. works upon which wo are dependont for a living if Mr. Toft was not elected, while threats of "Vote for Bryan and you lose your Jobs," turned more votes to tho republican party than those peoplo who boast of our freedom and Independence would care to admit. For too many worklnr men failed to reallzo that companies run their works, not to give men employment, but for their own profit, and that they would keep them open only as long as it was to tholr own in terest to do so, regardless of who was or was not elected. This fact Is demonstrated by the fact that, In spite of the republican victory, three mines in the vicinity of my homo town havo shut down for an Indefinite period for no other reason apparently than to break the spirits of their already destitute employes. I know of ono case where a ballot was sent to a mine boss marked to show him how ho was to vote and how he was to direct tho workmen under his supervision to vote. Needless to Bay, thte ballot was sent by the company that employed film nd was marked for a straight republican votc.r have stated facts that have come under my per sonal observation. They are not speculative, they are positive truths, and I hopo may prove of some value to you In clearing up tho "mystery of 1908." And now may I conclude my lengthy epistle by again expressing my admiration of your policies and my sorrow at your defeat. I was but a child of seven years of age vhen you first led the democratic party in Its fight for ' the presidency, but I remember distinctly the ex citement .of that time and my father's warm partisanship of your cause. Ho has cast his vote for you each time you have been a candi date, and my brother gave you this time tho first presidential vote ho ever cast. I am proud to say that our own little town, In republican Pennsylvania, went strongly democratic. Your picture holds an honored place in our home, while our whole-family, father, mother, broth ers and sisters, continue to say, in spite of the republican victory, with undiminished loyalty to your great cause: "Hurrah for Bryan!" J. A. McFarland, Itensselaer, Ind. Here Is my explanation: I have it from those who aro in a position to know. It is chargeable to the Catholic vote. I think as a proof that this is true we have only to analyze the rote in New York and In the states in which democratic gov ernors were elected while Taft got the electoral vote. This was given mo by a Catholic in La fayette, who claimed to have inside Information. '. ft u.V" . ui "4 a til b I if- 8 M I'm : ; w .rHJfiq 9911 fl OtUi witviii j) t iK tlaflm.fiU.m ';. tot Mm.t' IJm.x&i.'iftu rw!aai... bVt&Mha4