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DECEMBER JO, . ly.fr -.-.
The Commoner.
Democratic Opinion Freely Expressed
(In publishing letters from ronora u in k.,i
ly necessary to say that publication does not
moan that- The Commoner endorses ,the senti
ments . contained in. the letters.)
IN NEW JERSEY
Editor The Commoner: I noticed in a recent
issue of the Commoner that one of your readers
made the remark that out of the five democratic
governors elected recently in the east that there
did not -seem to be one capable of progressive
leadership. No greater mistake could have
been made.. To say nothing of those elected in
our neighboring states, New Jersey has a man
big enough and . honest enough to satisfy all
who have the- interest of their country at heart.
Note how he has defied the machine and forced a
corporation candidate into the open. When he
was nominated I, like many others, were appre
hensive of the course he would pursue if elected.
But now all doubt has been removed and the
real democrats of this state recognize in Wood
row Wilson a great moral force, which will ulti
mately drive from the party the very interests
which have brought the republican party to its
present chaotic state. Give us a lift, Mr. Editor,
- through the columns of The Commoner, for
New Jersey needs all the assistance available in
her struggle for political freedom.
W. H. STEPHENS,
r ' Pres, Neptune Township Democratic Club.
. Asbury Park, N. J., December 17, 1910.
NOT A CANDIDATE
, Editor The Commoner: Will it be held amiss
to ,ask why it is that many of the papers since
election have heralded the results of the "pas
sing of Bryan,", and of Bryan, as a statesman
and a power in, the democratic party. Extremely
noticeable among, these is that reprinted in The
Commoner of December 10, from the St. Louis
Censor. Here, comparing Mr. Bryan to some
pJUp.ur great , statesmen, W are informed that
Uis''is -not a statesman neither is lie a man of
" exceptional mental equipment." Then the writer
gqespn fio, show.ttiajr the very principles which
Mr. Bryan has advocated in the last decade. ar
what our government should have adopted and
are what must be adopted to restore the gov
ernment to the hands of the people. Is it not
an unconscious tribute to Mr. Bryan's breadth,
both mentally and in statecraft to illustrate, as
does the Censor, that his theories of govern
ment are being adopted by the progressives of
both great parties, and will doubtless bo the
foundation of the platform of the winning side
in our next presidential election? And inci
dentally, while the conservative democrats are
so seriously (and ill-advisedly) looking for 1912
presidential timber among the second growth
saplings, favorites of Wall Street, why not put
the following query to the real democrats of
both parties: Since the majority of the voters
aB "shown by the returns of November 8, want
real representation, a representation that will
give them a government along lines always ad
vocated by Mr. Bryan, who is better fitted to
lead those voters to a' victory in 1912 than the
man who has always had the interests of the
nation at heart and has ever stood for "a gov
ernment of the people, by the people, and for
tho people?" FRANK P. JESSUP.
. Minatare, Neb., December 20, 1910.
IN "WEST VIRGINIA
Some of the, voters who supported the demo
cratic ticket are not pleased at all, as they scan
-the editorial pages of the Wheeling Register
and other papers of the state, while they boost
so,me reactionary for the senate of the United
States. , m , L ,
Is it still to be a matter of barter and sale
td the highest bidder, just as Nathan Bay Scott
appeared to think? Have the money bags sub
sidized these newspapers? The' public may well
become suspicious of the malefactors of, wealth,
jii this howling across 'the political wilderness.
And these self-styled leaders did nbfc organize
and achieve this victory, , but on the contrary
it wW a great surprise t6 them when the result
was announced. They .surely did not know
befdrehand that thousands of republicans would
refuse to go to the polls, as, a priest against
selfish" interests controlling their parfy prganir
kations for purpose of public plunder.
There are reactionaries then Jn thev demo
cratic 'party weljl as .in, the 'republican party,
and the voters are to be mocked one other time,
J1? !?ing' ? uow long ,s tllla fral to continue
vntnLt10 d?r peo,plo? Had tho republican
voters turned-out thoy could havo scored -thoir
usual triumph in the state. There was no sense
to dictato50 Par If Ul Intoreats "re Btill
lwJhl? QmPloto demonstration that
Snn?SgR.n4P,?.n 0f. eovprnment will have to bo
SDte? " 3u8,tIco for aU crests is over to bo
secured. And- Oregon is a republican state.
Why may not West Virginia learn?
?G ,elect,on ?f any corporation tool, or ser
vant of monopoly, to tho senate of tbo United
btates by the democratic legislature of West
Virginia, will be the "parting of tho ways" for
a largo number of democrats, independents and
republicans who supported that tlckot at tho
last election. Tho people deslro only justice
and equal opportunity for all classes. Tho in
terests are in opposition to this safe and patri
otic purpose. Thoy are determined to pile up
wealth at tho expense of tho masses, by class
legislation.
It was in tho hope of making advance toward
the achievement of public justice and fairness
which induced tho voters, regardless of past
party affiliations to vote the democratic tlckot.
So. tho democratic legislature had best remem
ber tho frail tenure by which thoy hold tem
porary place. Also they will do well to not
forget that party names are not so compelling
of late with former partlzans. Tho result of
the election was a loud protest against tho
abuses practiced, by the corporation domination
of tho party too long in power.
The United States senate needs thorough re
formation It is in that body that greed, graft
and craft have long been securely intronched.
It is in tho minds of vast numbers of all parties
that this rotten citadel of tho interests should
be cleaned and made responsive to public in
terests. The reactionaries aTe striving to get a strangle
hold on the democratic party. If they succeed
in their scheme it will probably result in the
compjeto dissolution and disintegration of tho
party. For there is no excuse for tho continued
existence of that party If It does not. champion
the side of justice and the public interest in this
great conflict.
Indeed it is a battle of mammon, that in its
mad avarico is threatening tho interest, tho
peace and tho liberty of the country, and the
very existence of our freo form of government.
JAMES BASSEL.
Weston, W. Va., December 15, 1910.
"THE PASSING"
-Editor The Commoner: I have noticed in tho
Commoner lately a great deal about tho "passing
of- Bryan." Why not let the people settle that?
I have voted and worked for Mr. Bryan, and
why'not? He is nearer tho hearts of tho Amer
ican people than any man. The common people
can trust Mr. Bryan in 1912.
A. H. SIMPSON.
Brandon, Ore., December 15, 1910.
IN NEW YORK
Jenksvlllo, N. Y., December 17, 1910. Editor
Commoner: I am glad (with other democrats)
to read your warning us to beware of tho new
leaders (?) of the "safe and conservative" party,
born (according to the New York World) at the
last election. Dozens of democrats in this state
did not vote, giving aB their reasons that candi
dates who were so warmly supported by the
World, Brooklyn Eagle, New York Times, and
others, were good candidates for real demo
crats to fight shy of. If these new leaders (?)
shall select such men as Shephard and Sheohan
in this state, Smith in New Jersey, McLean in
Ohio for tho senate the next election will see
those leaders and their ticket buried by two
million majority. It would seem as if tho rank
and file will not allow themselves to be led Into
the' support of such men who have done their
besffdr ydarri to ruin the democratic party. I
enclose a letter showing how one of the candi
dates in this state dodges every issue on which
the election watf won. J. A. BLANCHARD.
The Rural New-Yorker, Now York. Decem
ber 1, 1910. Mr. j; A. Blanchard, Jenksvllle,
N. 'y. Deaf Sir: I have jUst received your let
ter. ; TJiere are many others who feel just as
you do about 'the political situation. I have a
letter from Mr. Shepard. I asked him a num
ber of 'questions and ho dodged every ono of.
7
him in EX ilf u"P.m to hQ yory much &
n .Jin. fKJUfiik-Ui democrats aro nolnx
to play polfUcs and do all they can simoly W
kcop i things gomg so that thoy7 can "mI their
president in 1912, and as thoy havoTot the
um8 Sf P'i'thdlr hands It will bo vor?
dlillctilt now t,o,shut thorn off. I rogrot vorr
much tho 81'Icm as It stands Im for two
years to coma, at least, tho democrats will not
l)Q likely to listen to nnythlog except party
orders. Vory truly yours, V VJ
H. W. COLLINOWOOD, Edltdr.
JOHN J. LENTZ
t
ttii ,' lm J Lout l8 a candldato for.Thi
United Stntcs sonato boforo tho Ohio legisla
ture and In announcing his candidacy sols fortk'
tho following declaration of principles:
1. A tariff for rovonuo on articles of luxury
and not on articles of ncccBsIty; also a tariff
commission.
thn2 wmaV.?te.'l ,n.COm. ftnd ,nhcrltnuco taxc
that will put tho burdens of tho government
equitahly upon tho backs of tho people. '
3. A regulation that will regulato all trusts
and monopolies, with attention first to tho'sa
that have been dictating tho financial and politi
cal policies of our republic.
"4. Tho selection of United States senators by
tho direct voto of tho people.
"6. Insuranco of bank deposits, guaranteeing
immedlato and full payment to depositors in the
event of tho bank's failure.
"G. A poBtal express for tho million miles of
rural routes such ub will transport and deliver at
a smaller cost, much larger packages than those
now provided for by tho parcels post.
"7. A postal telegraph or electric mall that
will give tho people of tho United States tho
right to send a telegram of thirty words to any
part of tho country at a cost of five cents a
message.
"8. Tho preservation and conservation of all
our resources in Alaska and elsowhero for the
benefit of tho wholo people.
"9. A law providing for tho payment out of
tho public treasury of every legitimate and neces
sary expense incident to primary and general
elections, thereby providing a more certain
guaranty against corruption of votors than pub
lishing tho names of contributors and the
amounts, either beforo or aftor tho olcctlon, and
also making it possible for a man of character
and brains but without wealth, to have an equal
chance with tho millionaire or tho representa
tive of special Interests.
"10. A law making it a crime to solicit, con
tribute or recolvo campaign contributions for
either primary or general election purposes.
This will prevent tho corruption of votors and
also prevent tho unduo influence of tho interests
in nominating and electing public officials.
"11. Tho Initiative and referendum, and tho
right of recall.
"12. An Immediate reduction of tho cost of
administering tho government by tho exercise of
that economy and common honesty practiced by
men In tho conduct of ordinary business enter
prises. "In brief, let It bo remembered that my pledge
Is to further tho enactment of such laws as will
promote that equality, honesty and liberty which
was the inspiration of tho lifo, work and public
service of Jefferson, Jackson and Lincoln.
"And I challenge Senator Dick to a series of
joint debates to discuss all tho issues of the
day, and particularly to give him an opportunity
to explain why he has failed to introduco a bill
for the improvement of our postal service by the
use of tho telegraph as was advocated by him
ton years ago, beforo tho postmasters' con
vention." Thero aro many good democrats In Ohio, act
ual residents, who would adorn tho position and
represent tho masses, but it Is no reflection on
others to say that none of them would be more
effective In debate or more steadfast In the ad
vocacy of progressive democracy.
EXACTLY
Concerning the president's judicial appoint
ments tho Sioux City (Iowa) Journal (republi
can) says: "Taking tho nominations individu
ally or as a group, the verdict can scarcely be
other than that the president has discharged
his task with a keen sense of the fitness of
things."
Exactly. An administration choaen by tho
special interests would naturally be expected -to
select judges that are acceptable to tho special
Interests. . , . .' ji
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