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The Commoner.
WtLLiAM J. BRYAN, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR
VOL. 10t NO. 50
Lincoln, Nebraska, December 23, 1910
Whole Number 518
Measuring Up to the Requirements
Tho New York World says: "The World
agrees with the Times that both James Smith,.
Jr., and James B. Martlne should withdraw
from tho senatorial contest in New Jersey. For
tho legislature to elect Mr. Smith would bo a
doublo violation of democratic faith. For it to
elect Mr. Martlne would bo to choose a senator
who does not measure up to tho requirements.
As the Times says, Mr. Martine's 'independence
and his honesty are unimpeachable, but some
thing more is required The democratic senator
from New Jersey should be a man capable of
taking position among the leaders of tho demo
cratic party. He should be the kind of a man
Whoso election would strengthen the party
everywhere. Tho only way such a senator can
be elected is for Mr. Smitl? and Mr. Martine to
put the welfare of their party abovo personal
ambition."
But who says Mr. Martine does not "measure
up to tho requirements?" . The Times and
World both concede that he is independent and
honest, and Governor Wilson says that ho re
ceived. 48,000 out of the 70,000 democratic
votes voting in the primary upon preference for
senator. Doesn't that indicate that,- in tile opin-.
ion of the people, Mr. Martine does "measure
up to the requirements?"
. As a matter of fact Mr. Mar,tine is an able
man. . He is probably, all things .considered; the,
best equipped for a senatorial seat of any man
Now Jersey has put forward in recent years.
Tho New "York Time's find the New York World,
both spokesmen for special Interests while pre
tending 'to be free and independent newspapers,
cannot defend the aspirations of former Senator
James Smith, Jr., they cannot . successfully at
tack Mr. Martine and so they join in tho chorus,
"Martino does not measuro up to the require
ments!" Requirements of what and by whom? These,
nowspapers admit that Martine is independent
and honest; and independence and honesty are
tho first requisites in the public official. .If
New Jersey can elect to tho United States senato
a genuine democrat who is not controlled by
special interests and of whom such papers as
tho New York Times and tho New York World
are bound to say "his independence and his
honesty are unimpeachable," then surely New
Jersey has taken rapid strides along the path
way of popular government; then surely the
people of New Jersey need bave no fear that
tbey will blush when their new senator takes
his stand even "among tho leaders of the demo
cratic party." Surely the election of such a
man would strengthen the party everywhere.
Governor Wilson has taken the proper posi
tion ' He does not agree with Mr. Martine in
all things but ho knows that Martine is the
CONTENTS
MBASONoGnSP1RstmaIsREMENTS
' progressive arizona
good for governor wilson!
james e. martine
HERE'S A RADICAL FOR YOU
A NEW YORK POSSIBILITY
CAN DEMOCRATIC PARTY BRING ABOUT
, " REAL REFORM?
TWO VIEWS QF ONE PRESIDENTIAL
CAND.ATE
CHRISTMAS THOUGHTS
DEMOCRATIC NEWSPAPERS ON PLUTO
CRATIC ORGANIZATION
THE OHIO SENATORSHIP
CURRENT TOPICS
HOME DEPARTMENT
WHETHER COMMON OR NOT
WASHINGTON NEWS
NEWS OF THE WEEK
democratic nominee, he knows that In all fair
ness Martino should bo elected.
'It 'a well enough to demand tho retirement
of Mr. Smith for Mr. Smith has no standing on
democratic ground either bo far as concerns
his record, his trend of thought or tho deslro
of tho voters as expressed at tho primaries. But
Mr. Martine Is independent, honest and capable.
Ho believes that corporations should bo tho ser
vants rather than tho masters of tho pooplo and
ho is tho choice of tho democratic voters a
choico regularly expressed. It is absurd to ask
him to retire.
AN ANSWER TO QUESTIONS
Tho Commoner receives a great many In
quiries in regard to men whose names aro be
ing mentioned in connection with tho demo
cratic presidential nomination. It Is not ablo
to answer all questions but it will bo pleased to
answer whero it can and to make Inquiry whoro
it is uncertain. Four persons aro being men
tioned with frequency Folk; Gaynor, Harmon
and Wilson, and their records aro being ex
amined. Folk was an activo supporter of Bryan and
Sewell in 1896 and has supported tho demo
cratic national ticket in all tho presidential cam
paigns since.
Mayor Gaynor has supported tho national
ticket in all campaigns In 1896 ho was con
spicuous as a supporter of the Chicago platform
ho was one of tho few prominent democrats
in the oast who stood up for the party creed
and ticket and he has been faithful over since.
. Governor Harmon, then a member of Mr.
Cleveland's cabinet, did not voto in 1896, but in
1900 presided at Mr. Bryan's meeting at Cin
cinnati. Governor Wilson supported Palmer and
Buckner in 1896, but Is supposed to havo sup
ported tho democratic national ticket In subse
quent campaigns. The Commoner has no posi
tive information as to the campaigns since 1896,
but will bo pleased to publish any authoritative
information which any reader may have on tho
subject.
PROGRESSIVE ARIZONA
Arizona is progressive. She has not allowed
herself to be terrorized by the threats of tho
republican leaders. She has gone along with
her eonstitution-making with an eye single to
her own interests. She has adopted tho initia
tive and referendum tho most fundamental of
all reforms. This makes it possible for her
people to correct any errors they may find, and
to direct their government. She has also adopt
ed tho recall, which makes it possible for her
to turn out those officials who betray their con
stituents. She Is keeping pace with the times.
She has inserted other good provisions In tho
constitution, but above all and beyond all, sho
has reserved control and can make her govern
ment what she wants it to bo and can coerco
her public servants into obedienco to thoso
whom they serve.
THEY KNOW
When Mr. Hughes of New York was appoint
ed to the supremo court, Mr. Bryan said that
the appointment was satisfactory to Wall Street.
For this statement Mr. Bryan was hotly criti
cised. The New York News Bureau, 'Wall
Street's organ, In describing thoso upon whom
the "safe and sane" may rely puts Mr. Justice
Hughes alongside of Mr. Justice Lurton and
other members of the court whoso "safety" and
"sanity," from the corporations' standpoint, no
one has questioned.
SOMETIMES IT PAYS
Tho vindication of Ballinger and the vindica
tion of Lorimer indicate that sometimes it pays
to' stand pat,
Song for Christmas
Will M. Maupin
Never too old for Chrlstmaa, with all &t Its
moaning sweet.
Novor too old for playtime, with laughter
and Joy complete
Young as tho youngost youngster who dances
In childish gleo
In dawn of the Christmas morning, under
tho ChriHtnias tree.
For youth In of heart and purpose; years
aro of passing tlmo
All tho futuro Is brightened by sound of tho
ChrlKtmaH chlmo.
Laughter and lovo and muHlc Ah.'thoso aro
tho BwcetH of life
And Christmas tho culminationwith all of
Ufa's good things rlfo.
Born to tho world a Christ-Child, 'midst
. Judah's far-flung hills,
Whosolovo for tho llttlo children oach slow
moved century fills.
Tho Babe In tho mangor lowly, tho Teacher
of Callllce
The King of Kings by birthright, wo bow to
Him our knee,
And tho love that ho lays upon us wo share
with our loved ones dear
As the Christmas bolls aro ringing tho good
will message clear.
Laughtor and lovo and music Ah, theso are
tho sweets of llfo:
And Christmas tho culminationchildren and
homo and wife.
Wnglngr tho bells for Christmas, peaco and
to men good will,
"Sending tho old lovo mossago over tho vale
and hill.
But what of tho llttlo children In squalor
and want and woe
Children by lovo forgotten, who never &
Christmas know?
Can wo who arc singings carols to Mm of
tho manger birth
Bo blest If wo fall to succor tho poor and
tho low of earth?
Can wo as a Christian people doclaro that
our duty's dono
Till of hopeless and hungry children tho wide
world knows not one?
Laughter and lovo and muBlc but think of
God's lowly poor
Tho hungry and helpless chlldrea vho pass
by tho Christmas door.
Never a gleam of pleasure, with Christmas
a barren drram;
Nevcr-a day of playtime, never a Christmas
gleam.
Can you who ne'er knew hunger, and never
tho pinch of want,
Feast fat while a thousand children, haggard
and cold and gaunt,
Are hearing the Christmas music and starv
ing at plenty's door?
Romember the Manger Baby the Lord of the
rich and poor!
Carry tho Christmas message! Go out with
your baskets filled!
Seek homes whero lovo and laughter by
hunger and woo aro stilled.
In tho name of the manger-cradled, spread
pleasure along your way
By making all God's poor happy this glorious
Christmas day.
"As ye have dono to My Children, 'tis thus
I shall deal with you!"
Pay heed to the old, old message; though old
It Is over new.
Laughter and lovo and music Ah, these aro
tho gifts sublime,
And ours the bounden duty to spread them
at Christmas time.
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