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About The commoner. (Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-1923 | View Entire Issue (Feb. 28, 1913)
The Commoner. WILLIAM J. BRYAN, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR VOL. 13, NO. 8 Lincoln, Nebraska, February 28, 1913 Whole Number 632 Democratic Opportunity Last week Tho Commoner printed this sen- tence: "Tho democrats who, as a result of the congressional and senatorial elections, are enter ing official life should learn early that tho secret of success in public life is to have no secrets from tho public." In control of both houses of congress, as well as tho White House, the democratic party will have a great opportunity. While democrats have gono to defeat repeatedly they may obtain satisfaction from tho investigation of tho record their party has made. In the first place tho democratic party is the only political organi zation that ever reformed itself. In 1896 tho rank and file of the party rose in protest against tho policies of tho democratic national administration and put the party in lino with the progressive thought of the day. It is also gratifying to remember that although the party has not been in power it has forced the republi can administration to adopt somo of its re forms and it has provided inspiration to men of all parties who would work for the public good. In short, it is tho only political party which, even in defeat, has been able to force its vic torious opponent to adopt some of its leading reforms. The., income tax and the election of senators by tho people are democratic measures. They were practically accomplishd under re publican administrations and won through tho persistent championship of those measures by tho party which claims Thomas Jefferson as its leader. Now the democratic party is about to enter upon the administration of tho national govern ment. The new president has the confidence of men of all parties and ho is recognized as the leader of progressive thought. Tho Commoner wishes for the Wilson administration tho highest sort of success. THE NEW CORRESPONDENT Tfie Philadelphia Public Ledger pays a high tribute to its new Washington city correspon dent, and says there is a "peculiar appropriate ness" in tho selection of this particular gentle man to represent a Pennsylvania newspaper at the seat of the national government for the Teason that his ancestors were Pennsylvanlans. The Public Ledger then proceeds to name its new correspondent's distinguished ancestors, and it is plain that he came from excellent stock. This will not, however, help him particularly In tho gathering of news at the national capital. That his ancestors were splendid people who made large contribution to society will be, of course, an inspiration to him. But, after all, tho new correspondent will discover that in tho gathering of news, particularly at the national capital, there Is considerable "leg work" to bo done, even by one who is able to boast of dis tinguished ancestors. He will find some very CONTENTS DEMOCRATIC OPPORTUNITY GOVERNOR WILSON RETIRES FRANCE ITS LIGHTS AND SHADOWS SOMETHING ABOUT "JOE" TUMULTY GOVERNOR WILSON HAS DEFINITE POLICY AFFAIRS IN MEXICO AN OLD QUESTION IN A NEW FORM ' CURRENT TOPICS HOME DEPARTMENT NEWS OF THE WEEK WASHINGTON NEWS PATRONAGE THE NRW FREEDOM Messrs." Doubloday, Fag fe Co., Now York City. Gentlemen: I have Just road an advance proof of President-elect Wilson's book "Tho Now Freedom" and hasten to commond it Anything coming from one juot ontorlng upon tho re sponsible duties of the presidency would bo worth reading, and tho fact that tho incoming executive deals with great problems of interest to tho wholo public, gives additional weight to his utterances. And it is only fair to add that tho value of the volume is still farther en hanced by tho stylo of tho author clear-cut, forcible, and abounding in apt illustrations. Thoso who would calculate with accuracy tho course of the ship of state under the pilot who takes his placo at the wheel on March 4th, can find in "Tho New Freedom" a chart of tho seas to bo traversed during the next four yoars. Pro gressives will welcome the book as renewed evidence of tho author's consecration to tho great task of popularizing tho government and putting tho people in tho control of tho instru mentalities of that government. Thoso who have, from lack of information, viewed with alarm the changes that aro taking place, will be instructed, and, to a large extent, relieved of their fears by tho definitions given and the dis tinctions drawn by Governor Wilson. You aro rendering a real service by offering this book to the public at this time, and I feel that I am contributing, also, to the extent that this letter may draw attention to the book and secure a reading of it. Very truly yours, W. J. BRYAN. capable men among tho Washington city cor respondents who aro of humblo origin, many of whom never even had a relative who could boast of Pennsylvania blood. Let us hope, however, that the new corres pondent will make good, not through tho boast of ancestry, but through tho record made by conscientious, intelligent effort. PERSONAL GUILT Judge Howard C. Hollister, presiding in tho federal district court of the southern district of Ohio, recognized what most other federal judges have failed to recognize personal guilt when ho came to pass sentence upon tho 29 officers and employes of the cash register trust. These men had been convicted of violating tho Sherman anti-trust law. Instead of permitting them to escape with a mere fine, Judge" Hollister sentenced them to jail, Including even John H. Patterson, the president, whose motto is said to be, "Kill off competitors as you would a dog." All honor to Judge Hollister. May his tribe increase. IN RESPONSE TO REQUESTS In response to a number of requests from time to time for permission to reproduce articles that appear In Tho Commoner, Mr. Bryan directs that tho statement bo made that anything that appears in The Commoner may bo reproduced. i iiii i i it NEW HAMPSHIRE IN LINE The New Hampshire legislature has ratified the proposed amendment providing for tho elec tion of senators by the people. Good for New Hampshire. Next! Governor Wilson Retires Woodrow Wilson has resigned as tho governor of Now Jersey in order to prepare for tho hlghor responsibilities to which ho has boon called by tho American peoplo at tho November election. As governor of New Jersey, Woodrow Wilson has made a proud record, one that may ho held up as a model to tho governors of thid and suc ceeding generations, and thoso who have watched his course feel that as president of tho Unitod States, ho will do oven better by way of faithful service to tho peoplo. Tho Buffalo (N. Y.) Times woll says: Tho close of Wood row Wilson's administration aa governor of New Jersey has been signalized by one of tho most brilliant triumphs of his career. Tho sovon bills to purge Now Jersey of trusts and monopolies and to regulate corporations havo passed both houses of the legislature, and will become law on receiving the signature of the governor. Tho achievement is a superb ono and rounds out in a consummated whole, tho memorable guber natorial administration of which it is tho crown ing work. It is a splendid augury to Immedi ately procede the entry of Governor Wilson into tho White House. TUMULTY'S GOOD WORK Complimenting Governor Wilson for tho selec tion of Joseph P. Tumulty to be secrqtary to tho presidont, Louis F. Post, writing in The Public, says: "On tho authority of Frank Parker Stock bridge, it may bo stated that Mr. Tumulty's first term in tho New Jersey legislature was spent inconspicuously but studiously; and that in his second term ho fell into tho habit of using his education of tho term before by explaining to the house, modestly but significantly, the preciso character and location of concealed graft in bills as they came up. This disturbing habit of his had already 'got on the nerves' of big grafters when Governor Wilson camo into office and availed himself of the young legislator's abilities and fidelity." This will give tho reader some Idea of the characteristics that havo won for Mr. Tumulty tho confidence and respect of those who havo carefully watched tho young man's career. GOVERNOR DUNNE OF ILLINOIS Governor Dunno of Illinois is receiving com pliments from all sections of the country for his good efforts tovard progressive state gov ernment. Louis F. Post, writing In The Public, says: "There is spirit and power as well as high principle and sagacious policy in Gover nor Dunne's inaugural speech. It can not but encourage tho true democracy of Illinois and of the nation, even as it shocks reactionaries wherever they cluster. Tho now governor pro poses a program which will servo at once as a guide and a touchstone. Watch tho men, watch tho newspapers, watch the groups that ques tion this program. They may not, Indeed, be unfaithful; but significant symptoms call for prudent observation." 0 0 0 RENEWALS NOW DUE Tho close of tho subscription year for the great bulk of Commoner subscribers ended with tho last issue in January. Subscriptions ending at this time should be renewed with as little delay as pos sible in order to facilitate the work of changing and re-entering the addresses on our subscription books and obviate expense of sending out statements an nouncing that renewals are due. Sub scribers are asked to assist by seudfugr their renewals promptly. 0 0 e 411 Mi ' mtmi m --it0(S);$'0&ft0a