Volume 16 , Issue 14

The Great Commoner, Wm. J. Bryan (1907)

Have you ever heard of the Newspaper, The Commoner? Editor and Proprietor was Willliam J. Bryan, in Lincoln, Nebraska, 13 September 1907.

Mr. Bryan was in Oklahoma during this time frame as he delivered several speeches in the Oklahoma campaign terminated Tuesday, 17 September 1907, when the election would take place. On his first day he spoke at Vinita, Tulsa, and Sepulpa (sic), Indian Territory; at Bristow, Chandler and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. On the second day he spoke at Woodward and Alva, Oklahoma.

It sounds like William J. Bryan could draw a crowd, because in the convention hall in Oklahoma City, 3000 persons were unable to secure admittance tot he auditorium, and attended an overflow meeting nearby. Mr. Bryan was enthusiastically received.

The following is an abstract of Mr. Bryan's speech at Oklahoma City:

"Secretary Taft, in his speech made in this territory a few days ago advises the people to reject the proposed constitution and postpone statehood until another enabling act can be secured. At first blush one might suspect that the secretary's advice was due to his personal interest in the next election. He might be accused of advising the postponement of statehood with a view to keeping seven electoral votes out of the democratic column, but the more generous view taken in the matter is that his advice resulted from his habits of thought.

"He is inclined to postpone everything. He promises to acquire the title of the Great Postponer. In a speech made not long ago at Columbus, Ohio, he announced himself as in favor of tariff reform, but he would postpone it until after the next election. He also made an elaborate argument in favor of the income tax, but he would postpone it indefinitely. He agreed with the president in regard to the wisdom of an inheritance tax, but that, too, he would postpone until a more convenient season. He did not seriously object to the valuation of railroads, but he did not declare for it immediately. He is on his way to the Philippines to tell the Filipinos that, while he thinks they ought to have self-government after while, he wants it postponed for the present. It is not strange, therefore, that he should yield to his ruling spirit in the matter of statehood and tell you to put it off.

"He holds out the hope of another enabling act, but what assurance can he give that a republican congress will act immediately to bring in a democratic state just before a presidential election? You have been struggling for statehood for some fifteen years and now when it is within your grasp, he asks you to exchange a certainty for the delusive promise of another chance. Does he control the congress to such an extent that he can guarantee immediate action? The two senators from his own state do not accept his advice."

Why was Secretary Taft advising people to reject the constitution and postpone statehood?

The Commoner stated Secretary Taft was opposed to some parts of the constitution. He had suggested several amendments which he would like to have adopted. Even if the amendments which he proposed were good amendments and worthy to be adopted, it would not be necessary to reject the constitution in order to adopt them. These amendments were all proposed during the discussion which preceded the adoption of the constitution, but the people said "Adopt the constitution now and amend it afterwards."

Wm. J. Bryan spoke, "If Secretary Taft had the confidence he ought to have in your people, he would have given you the same advice that our forefathers followed a century and a quarter ago. The democrats can vote in favor of the constitution because they believe it a good one. The republicans who desire to change it can have as their slogan 'Adopt the constituion now, amend it afterwards.'"

The article continues on page two The Commoner, dated 13 September 1907.   |  View or Add Comments (0 Comments)   |   Receive updates ( subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

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