Jasper County Democrat, Volume 3, Number 17, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 4 August 1900 — Another Good Man Comes Over to Bryan. [ARTICLE]

Another Good Man Comes Over to Bryan.

A news special from Joliet, 111., says; Michael C. Collins, the Peotone banker and a life-long Republican, announced this morning that he will support Wm. J. Bryan for President, as he cannot stand for the imperialistic policy of the McKinley Administration. The declaration has caused more political excitement than Will County has seen for years. He was formerly a member of the Legislature, was Supervisor for Pe'otone for many years and President of the County Board one term, and two years ago came within two votes of defeating Wm. Odell, of Wilmington, for the Republican nomination for State Senator. In an interview Mr. Collins said: “My reason for giving my support to Mr. Bryan is that I consider his position on imperialism right, and I believe that issue to be the most important one that is before the people. Ido not sympathize at all in the effort to create a colonial system for America, and in making one nation subject to another. The present policy of the KcKinley Administration in establishing the colonial system in the Philippines, a nation that cannot become a state, and that we do not want in the Union, with its millions of voters helping to elect our rulers, is radically wrong. It is a, departure from the principles of the Declaration of Independence and the foundation principles of our republic.” The above clipping was handed us by Wm. Dennis, east of town, who formerly resided near Peotone and is well acquainted with Mr. Collins