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The Commoner.
WILLIAM J. BRYAN, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR
VOL. 13t NO. 2
Lincoln, Nebraska, January 17, 1913
Whole Number 626
An English Classic Becomes Timely Reading for American Democrats
Something like three years ago David Lloyd-George, speaking in the house of commons, said: "Every grain of freedom is more precious
than radium, and the nation that throws it away is the most wanton of prodigals."
Political Treason
It is probably the work of sensational news
paper writers, but reports aro still being sent
out to the effect that conspiracies are being
formed against Hon. J. Hamilton Lewis, the
democratic candidate for the senate in Illinois,
and Judge W. H. Thompson, the democratic can
didate for the United States senate in Kansas.
Any democrat who contemplates joining such a
conspiracy had better read Governor Wilson's
"Hainan" speech. It used to be thought smart
to thwart the will of the people, but that day
has passed. The public official who embezzles
power today finds himself branded as a crimi
nal. If he claims to be a democrat and attempts
to overthrow the will of the people he proves
that the claim is false. A post mortem exami
nation of such a man and ho is sure to die
young would show that he did not have a
drop of democratic blood in him.
VIOLENCE INTOLERABLE
The conviction of the labor organization
officials on the charge Of UBing dynamite
against the property, and even against the lives,
of those opposed to them in labor contests
ought to have a salutary influence. The great
majority of the members of organized labor
-in fact, almost all are not only opposed to
. violence but understand that a resort to
violence brings great injury to the cause of the
working men. But such as have countenanced
violence should learn from the Indianapolis and
Lbs Angeles cases that the people of the coun
try will not tolerate lawless attacks on either
life, or property. Labor has its grievances and
these grievances demand speedy redress, but this
redress must be secured through the orderly
processes of government as a result of public
discussion. If any labor leader has imagined
that he could help his co-workers by taking the
law. into his own hands let him learn from these
Tecent cases that such a course does his cause
more harm than any open enemy could bring
to it.
OUR LEADERSHIP IN PEACE
The following resolution was introduced last
summer by Congressman (now governor) Sulzer
of New York. It should be passed without a dis
senting vote. The United States deserves to lead
in the peace movement. The peace congress
should be convened by all means.
"H. J. Res. 385. In the house of representa
tives, July 9, 1912. Mr. Sulzer introduced the
following joint resolution; which was referred
to the commltte'e on foreign affairs and ordered
to be printed.
"Joint resolution to authorize a joint assembly
CONTENTS
A DEMOCRATIC MEASURE
POLITICAL TREASON
A CENTRAL BANK
GOLDEN EGGS IN NEST OF
MONEY TRUST
SWITZERLAND A REAL DEMOCRACY
CURRENT TOPICS
EARNINGS OF THE BIG BANKS
WASHINGTON NEWS
HOME DEPARTMENT
WHETHER COMMON OR NOT
NEWS OF THE WEEK
of the national legislative bodies of tho nations
of tho world to bo hold in tho United States, and
to extend an invitation to Bald national legisla
tive bodies.
"Resolved by the senate and house ofc repre
sentatives of the United States of America in
congress assembled, That tho president bo, and
ho hereby is, authorized to ext -d an invitation
to all the members of tho national legislative
bodies of tho various nations of tho world to
assemble in Washington, District of Columbia,
in tho United States, during tho fall of tho year
of nineteen hundred and fifteen, to discuss mat
ters relating to universal peace, and mako recom
mendations for such action as will enable said
national legislative bodies to bo of greater ser
vice in promoting concord and peace among tho
nations of tho earth."
A GOOD DEMOCRATIC MEASURE
A measure pending in congress and giving to
the states absoluto power over tho shipment of
liquor is good and ought to be enacted into law.
It is called the Konyon-Sheppard bill and pro
ceeds upon sound democratic! theory. Long ago
Mr. Bryan favored such a measure, and in The
Commoner, April 22, 1910, ho wrote an edi
torial, in which he said: "Interstate commerce
is used to override state laws. What democrat
is willing to put himself on record against the
proposition that the right of tho people of a
state to control the liquor traffic is more sacred
than the right of .liquor dealers to dispose of
their product In, dry territory and in violation
of the law?, Mr. Bryan believes that congress
should pass a law recognizing the right of each
state to prescribe the conditions upon which
intoxicating liquors can be transported, sold and
used within its borders. He also believes that
the federal government should dissolve partner
ship with law breakers and no longer issue
licenses for the sale of liquor in communities
where local laws prohibit its sale. If. It is
thought unconstitutional to discriminate, in tho
issue of licenses between different communities
the same end can be reached by reducing the
license to a nominal figure and requiring the
applicant for a federal license to give written
notice to the local authorities, and newspaper
notice to the local public of his intention to
apply for a license. Now let those who oppose
these propositions meet them with arguments."
BORROWING TROUBLE
Some of the newspapers are borrowing a
good deal of trouble over the relations existing
between Mr. Clark and Mr. Bryan. Neither Is
saying anything against tho other, but if they
were criticising each other what difference would
it make? Mr. Clark has earned his re-election as
speaker why should any one ask whether ho
likes or dislikes Mr. Bryan? Certainly no
friend of Mr. Bryan would mako that a test.
There is a constant tendency to over-estimate
the personal element and under-estimate the
importance of the principles and policies in
volved. If either 'Mr. Bryan or Mr. Clark allow
personal feeling to interfere with service to the
party and to the country it will be time to con
demn the ono guilty why anticipate Improper
conduct?
HENRY COFFEEN
Mr. Bryan's circle of friends is again broken
this time by the death of ex-Congressman
Henry Coffeen of Sheridan, Wyoming. Pie was
an ideal congressman, able, honest, courageous
and ever at his post. Ho met life's responsi
bilities like a man and lived up to the expecta
tions of his friends. His genial smile and hearty
greeting will be missed. Peace to his ashes.
The Commoner extends sympathy to the mem
bers of the family.
A Central Bank
"Financial America," a financial publication,
printed iff New York, prints an editorial entitled,
"A Central Bank." Tho editorial is printed in
full in another column of this issue but the first
paragraph is particularly interesting and is as
follows:
"Currency reform will not down. Tho latest
is, indeed, tho most acceptable that has como
to our cars, for some time in fact, throughout
tho whole campaicn. What a surprise it would
be how amazing, how astounding if tho
democrats should swing around to tho point of
view that would permit their vision splendid to
rest on nothing but a central bank."
Somo advocates of the central bank havo re
ferred to Leslie M. Shaw as one who favors
the central bank plan, but an interview with
Mr. Shaw carried by tho United Press, under dato
of Washington, January 8, gives a somewhat
different idea. That interview follows:
"If tho Aldrlch plan for tho proponed curroncy
reform Is adopted, Wall street will bo placed In
absolute control of tho country for a period of
fifty years," was tho declaration of Leslie M. Shaw,
secretary of tho treasury under President Roose
velt, to the Glass currency commltteo today.
"Tho object of congress Is to relievo Wall street
from that control, which It now exercises ovor the
country, as I understand It." ho said. "But I be
llovo that probably you will find opposition from
most of tho lai'Ko banks of tho country. The
relief, which must consist of somo form of supple
mental currency, should spring Into existence
when needed, remain irt uso as lonr as needed and
then bb automatically retired with equal prompt
ness, and this supplemental currency may bo of a
character identical with what is in daily use, lest
its very presence Invito suspicion and disaster.
"This will relievo tho country from dependence
upon Wall street, and It will relievo cities of ono
, hundred thousand population or less from depen
dence upon cities of a million or moro.
"It will bo financial emancipation and for that
reason, if for no other, tho biff batiks of the
country will oppose.
"I am surprised that all tho banks owned or con
trolled by tho United States steel pcoplo and all
groups whom tho author of tho bill admits now
dominate our financial affairs should unito in sup
port of tho measure, if, as Mr. Aldrlch claims, it is
goinff to take that control away. I have seen no
evidence that these people have become wary.
"Tho plans, if worked out, will form a compul
sory association of all the national banks and
trust companies."
"Financial America" is right on one point. It
would be "a surprise," it would be "amazing,"
it would be "astounding," "if tho democrats
should swing around to the point of view that
would permit their vision splendid to rest on
nothing but a central bank." Undoubtedly there
are some men posing as democratic leaders who
would be quite willing to give their aid toward
the fulfillment of this Wall street dream. But
they are in the minority and "Financial
America" may rest assured that at least upon
this central bank idea tho spirit of Andrew
Jackson dominates tho democratic party.
AN UNINTENDED FAVOR
Tho reactionary papers are, unintentionally,
of course, rendering tho democratic party a
service by misrepresenting its attitude. By de
ceiving the progressive republicans into the be
lief that the democratic party is going to back
slide, the reactionary papers are encouraging
the progressives to keep up their fight. As tho
democratic program develops the progressives
will learn better but by that time they may bo
entirely weaned away from republicanism.
SULZER IS JEFFERSONIAN
Governor Sulzer's inauguration was character
ized by Jeffersonian simplicity an example
that might well be followed in a country like
ours. His inaugural address was Jeffersonian
also and thoroughly sound. The Commoner
congratulates New York's chief executive on his
splendid beginning and wishes him every success-
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