In a paragraph, use the passage from William Jennings Bryan's "Cross of Gold" speech to answer the question. Remeber to RAPP! (5 points)
"They complain about the plank which declares against the life tenure in office. They have tried to strain it to mean that which it does not mean. What we oppose in that plank is the life tenure that is being built up in Washington which establishes an office-holding class and excludes from participation in the benefits the humbler members of our society."
Identify Bryan's claim in this passage and cite the reasoning he uses in support of his claim.
1 answer
Bryan's claim in this passage is that the plank which declares against life tenure in office is being misunderstood. He argues that the plank is not against any form of life tenure, but specifically against the life tenure that is being built up in Washington. Bryan's reasoning for this claim is that such life tenure creates an office-holding class, which in turn excludes the more humble members of society from participating in the benefits that come with holding office. Therefore, he believes that the opposition to life tenure in this context is intended to fight against the perpetuation of an elitist system that hinders social and economic mobility.