The commoner. (Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-1923, February 01, 1916, Page 8, Image 8
- vc w The Commoner vol; i6, n6: 2 8 r ft ruiy RW f Let the People Rule Ex-Governor Jolks of Alabama introduced at tho last meeting of tho National Democratic committee tho following resolution: "Whoroas, the democratic' party is tho party of tho people and has Jealously contended from tho foundation of the government for tho .equal rights of all tho people and has specifically der nicd special privileges and rights and powers, to favored or preferred persons; and , . "Whereas, tho 'unit rule recognized heretor foro in our national conventions, is, certainly in a measure, subversive of that law, "Therefore, bo it resolved: "First, that the chairman of this committee in tho noxt national convention be instructed to recognize on any preliminary motion which may como before him, tho right of congressional dis trict delegates to vote as instructed by their dis tricts, tho order of any state convention to the contrary, notwithstanding. "Second, that the tomporary chairman of the noxt national convention bo instructed to recog nizo, in like manner, the instructions of the dis tricts. "Third, that these resolutions are to apply to district delegates only. "Fourth, that these instructions may be mod ified, of course, by tho said chairman where special statutes of. any state may provide the necessity for a contrary ruling." The Jolks resolution presents the true dem ocratic policy, and ought to bo adopted. It will bo remembered that the Baltimore convention took this position in tho Ohio contest. The state convention of Ohio which met after the district delegates wore elected and instructed attompted to commit tho entire Ohio delegation to tho support of Governor Harmon. The nine toon dolegates who had been instructed at the primaries, refused to bo bound liy tho action of tho stato convention, and the national conven tion doclded in favor of the delegates and they woro not only permitted to carry out their in structions, but they played an important part in tho national convention. Tho position taken by ox-Governor Jolks is therefore not only sound, but in harmony with the most recent precedents. W. J. BRYAN. THE RIGHTS OF A RATION On another pago will bo found a Bill of Rights for nations, prepared and published by the American Institute of International Law, com posed of five membors from each of the twenty ono American republics. The declaration is a stop in advance and may prove the beginning of a hotter understanding of the rights of nations.' Heretofore we have had to rely upon interna tional law, which is but a serios of precedents, and, sinco these precedents rest upon invasion of rights, as well as upon recognition of rights, they do not make a very near approach to a code of ethics. Tho declaration of rights for the western hem isphere may prove a model for the old world. There ought to bo some code of international morals, conforming to tho moral code now ap plied to individuals, and the Pan-American dec aration is a step in that direction. RELIGIOUS REVIVAL NEEDED On another page will bo found a press dis patch giving tho views of Admiral Beatty, who commanded tho British Squadron at tho first North sea fight. It is encouraging to see a sol dier who recognizes tho fundamental need of re ligion. Tho admiral is entirely right when he says that the great need of the world today is a religious revival, and the need is not confined to England. All of the belligerent countries need religious revival and the neutral countries need it also. It is especially needed in tho United States to put a quietus upon the military influ ences that are trying to make the United States over Into a frontier trading post, and would con vert our citizens into blanket Indians and nut them to practising war whoops. OPPOSITION TO PREPAREDNESS GROWING Tho Mississippi house of representatives bv a vote of 62 to 55, VOTED DOWN a resolution endorsing the army and navy increase proposed 'by the President. Good. The President is hear ing from the people from the democratic peo ple and they aro a very different people from those who applauded him at the Manhattan club banquet, and make their living in a very different way. WILLIAMS' WISE RECOMMENDATION ; In another part of this issue will be found a condensed report of Hon. John S. Williams, comptroller of currency. It is worthy of care ful perusal. Having investigated the banking system, which is under his department, he makes a number of important recommendations in the interest of better regulation. He advises that bank officers be prohibited from borrowing from their own banks. This is a -necessary precaution in view of the influence which the officers exert over the directors. He advises that directors be prohibited from borrowing except upon formal approval by the board. He also advises that officers and employees be required to give security bonds. One of his most important recommendations is that a limit be placed upon the direct and in direct loans which may be made to one individ ual, firm or corporation. He asks also that the comptroller be author ized to bring proceedings against directors for violation of the National Bank act. This is a very important recommendation and will go far toward compelling- care on the part of directors. Comptroller Williams is justifying the con fidence that the public feels in him. He is con scientiously endeavoring to raise the standard of banking by recommending reforms which are so reasonable that congress can hardly refuse to carry out the recommendations. It is fortunate for the country that we have at the head of the comptroller's department, a man who has an exhaustive knowledge of the banking business and is so completely in harmony with the .busi ness world, made, up of depositors and borrow ers the world that the bank is established to Serve. ' Another reform should be secured. It is not sufficient to punish the speculator AFTER he has lost. He should be removed as $0011 as lie yields to the temptation to speculate. It would be a blessing to him, as well as a matter of se curity to the depositors. No man who handles the money of others should be permitted to spec ulate. No one complains about a rule forbid ding the carrying of matches in a powder-house. The risk, while of a different kind, is no greater than the risk incurred when a bank official is al lowed to speculate. The law should prohibit speculation by bank officials. W. J. BRYAN. The Philadelphia Inquirer says that Congress man Mann's speech "lifts him into immediate prominence as the real leader of this important movement," and the Congressional Record says that the republicans applauded when this ex tract from the paper was read in the house The real leader? Why not? As the doctrine of scaredness is a republican doctrine, the leader ship ought to fall to the republicans, and no re pub hcan in public life is better qualified to lead a distinctly republican movement, designed to aid special interests, than this same Congress man Mann, who conversed with, the Serpent in the Garden. The owner of a large and completely equipped combination printing plant-job printing book bindery along with newspaper equipment in one of the most prosperous northwestern mid dle states, in a city of between 10 000 ami 15,000 inhabitants, desires a partner to found a democratic daily newspaper in one of the most prosperous fields to be found anywhere This party wants a man reliable and competent to share the burden and responsibilities. Compar atively but little capital will be required by the right party. For full information as to this field and opportunity write to "C " care of Thh Commoner office. "THE FORGOTTEN MAN." Some years ago an economist made a stronc argument against the protective tariff because of the burcTen it placed on "the forgotten man Militarism places a double burden on the forcot ten man. He not only pays the taxes, but he is the man who fights in the wars into which the militarists lead the nation for their profit Americanism Americanism, when properly defined, is a vir tue which ought to be found in every American; that is, "when defined as that devotion to the welfare of his country which leads every Amer ican citizen, whether native-born or naturalized, to put the interest of the United States first, and to be willing to render a whole-hearted service to the nation at all times, whether iri peace or war. As every virtue has its imitation, it is to be expected that the word "American" will be mis used, and made a cloak for prejudice unworthy of a patriotic citizen. Americanism does not require, indeed it does not tolerate, the stirring up of animosities be tween different groups of citizens divided by lines of descent. It .should be the desire of all good citizens to facilitate the amalgamation and assimilation of the various elements of our pop ulation. This can not be done by the arousing of race antipathies; Americanism, therefore, im plies charity toward other Americans, as well as the conscientious ' fulfillment of the obliga tions which each citizen owes to his govern ment, w. J. BRYAN. THE CHRISTIAN CONSCIENCE AROUSED It is very gratifying to note the increasing evidence of an aroused Christian conscience in the United States. Various organizations of Christians have passed resolutions against pre paredness, and leading divines are speaking out with a growing emphasis against the policy of preparedness a policy which rests upon the doctrine that force and fear are the only foun dations upon which peace can be built. This doctrine is a challenge to the spirit of the New Testament and to the Christian church. The Missionary Voice, published at Nashville, Tenn., by the Board of Missions of the Meth odist Episcopal church, south, devotes a large part of the January number to the Subject of preparedness, assailing it with splendid vigor.: ?" a,noJlhrer DaSe will be found its editorialfen titled, Preparedness and National peril.". ;It also quotes extensively from other papers among them being the Raleigh Christian Advo cate, the Evangelical Herald, the St. Louis Advocate. A DENIAL A i?1!??!1, ,Pla,5 Swatch to the Birmingham iSalVated Jfn; ?5' 1916' '- "WiUlSia Jennings Bryan today published a stat'e- ?pn?ilwuyin? Pushed Sports that he 'in tended following in the wake of the President oh his trip through the middle west, making a se ries of speeches in answer to those of the Pres ident on preparedness.. He said he would rel main in Miami until he left for LincolnNeb oh February 20, to attend a birthday d?nner "Mr Bryan said he would make a few speech es on his way to Lincoln,' but they wold have 110 connectionwith the President and his refYr? ences to preparedness would be along the lihe of the addresses he delivered last fall He added that the dates- for these sneeehM were;arranged before it was announced thafthe President would make his speaking tour." ' NATION DWELLS INOTTAGE by0jnohnf fe eaSng8668 1 masses in Great XrltogfaaMS every country dwells in the cottage "It?, KToSy t0 5 gjf? wreiS-sSSSsSS WHICH? taught .by the 2utio o tee Sia?? , V 'I'll I in m 'JZ5 MUH IMHIi I' -i hjjJfclil - -J.! "TO a Ljjgfgafr. t.JMU