Omaha daily bee., 1892-04-24
HIS SOARING WAS CHECKED
Bryan's Western Trip Almost Proved Fatal
to His Budding Fame.
HE WANTED TO BE VICE PRESIDENT
j. Sterling Morton Mt the Capitalize Pro-
motion of General whcaton-Ncbras-
ka's Senators and Free silver
Kem's Hard Labor.

the ton of the pie. True he had the ex
pected reception at Lincoln, the calls for "a
speech" and an opportunity TO pose as
statesman before the democratic convention |
at Omaha, But he appears to have missed
the two avowed objects OF his journey. His |
congressional action IN favor OF debased |
currency was not endorsed by mis- democratic |
constituents and there is no record Of n
spontaneous movement on his behalf ms a |
vice presidential candidate. His failure on |
the first of these plans excitcs some comment
IN Washington, where Mr.. Bryan's homo
strength is now thought to have been plainly
overated. Fow were in the secret OF his
aspirations to preside over the United states
senate. They were known, however, TO some
OF his friends and were quietly announced
shortly before the unfortunate Rhode Island
campaign, in which MIR. Bryan participated.
But the projected boom seems TO have died
n-bornin'. Its early decease will not receive
much sympathy from this end OF the line and
few laurel wreaths Of fearful congressional
coincidence will be laid on its little grave.
Apropos of Bryan's silver vagaries,
prominent young democrat of Lincoln has
written Congressman Hartcr that the demo-
cratic convention at Omaha was really at
least three TO two against silver and that on
full vote Of those who ought TO have been
present, Bryan's resolution would have been
showed under instead OF having been de-
feated By only nineteen votes. or course l
don't know how that was. do know, how
ever, that Mr.. Offutts able and emphatic
management of the convention from the
chair has been much commented upon here
by many prominent democrats who knew
him when he was speaker of the kentucky
house of representatives, and who never
omit any opportunity to say something
pleasant about his Jacksonian democracy and
ability as lawyer and politician. Senator
Carlisle is one Of the public men who takes
an interest in Ofutt's welfare, and Governor
another.
They both say that a turbulent demo
cratic asscmblage is not an unfamil.
lar scene to our Omaha attorney, aud
that ne can generally hold DIS own
in a political Bcrlmmage, at anything from
breaking a gavel to breaking refractory
heads. Offutt when in Kentucky, partic-
pated prominently in the Williams Black
burn senatorial contest. and though mere
boy at the time made q name for virile ag-
gressiveness and persistent pugnacity which
still affects the Blue Grass atmosphere.
]. Storing Morton, 'The Sage of Arbor
LODGE is in the city. met him last night
in company with Henri Watterson, Con-
gressman Benton McN1llin, General Tracey
of New York aud other tariff reformers, dis
cussing the state of the union and the pros
poets OF democracy. Governor Morton eX-
presses no regret at not having taken part in
the state democratic convention. | don't
think that he enthuses over Cleveland
any more than his old friend DIR.
with the Cleveland boomers as he is with
those who feel that another ticket would
probably command moro votes Governor
Morton has been extensively interviewed by
the nnti-silver democrats since he came to
Washington. Congressman Harter Of Ohio,
who led the anti-free coinage fight, is an old
friend of MIR. Morton's, and has been
extending to him all the courtesies of the
house sido Of the capitol. On Friday
j.. Sterling hold quite levee in
the house restaurant, where he discoursed
upon democratic prospects IN the west
with his usual iiuency Of dlction and pictur-
esqueness of illustration. He assured his
friends that an educational campaign for
sound money would in his opinion produce as
certain and us stable results in the line OF
democratic success as had the educational
campaign upon the tariff question. He as
serted that Cowaruice cannot win IN politics
anv more than in business, and that the pos
sibie loss of few alliance votes was less TO
be feared than the permanent alienation OF
the young and intelligent voters, who he
th.hks are naturally gravitating to the dem
ocratic party.
General Wheaton's nomination to the
brgadership which has been vacant since
the lst Of January ended one of the longest
and most bitter fights for promotion which
has been known in Washington for years.
The president gave no intimation of his in
tention to any one until the day before the
nomination went in, when decision
was reached after half an hours consul
tation with the secretary of war Presi-
dent Harrison after nearly four months
consideration fixed upon General Wheaton
as the best fitted ofthc candidates for tho posi-
tion on account of his long and distinguished
service aud the fact that he headed the ac-
tive list of colonels of infantry on daty. He
is also said to have stated that General
Wheaton's extended frontier duty and alb
scnce of favorable details east had their ef-
feet upon him as we'll as the added fact that
he had entered the army from civilian COL
lcge instead of from the military academy
prior to tho war. THE BEE alone of western
papers received the exclusive announcement
that General Wheaton's name would go in.
A half hour before the nomination was made
j talked with Senator and eX-Scc-
retary OF War Proctor, who at
that late moment and while the
messenger was carrying General Wheaton s
nomination to the capitol, expressed his be-
lief that another candidate would be Sc
lected 1t Is an interesting fact that none
of the hackers Of the various officers striving
for the honor received up TO the very last any
suggestion as TO the colonel upon whom the
presidents choice would fall. Senator Man
derson I'M forms me that In repeated conver-
sations with the president during the course
OF which he pressed General Wheaton's
claims most strongly, he did not receive q
word OF encouragement from the chief ex-
ecutive or the slightest intimation us tC
whether General Wheaton would be favora
bly, or unfayoraoly considered.
-
There were OF course many disappointed
candidates. Colonel William p. Carlin OF
the Fourth infantry probably feels his disap
pointment most keenly. He has been IL
Washington for many months pressing hi:
claim for recognition and felt a strong assur'
ance of ultimate success. Colonel Carr o
the Sixth cavalry had the influential backing
of Secretary of War Elkins, who urged very
earnestly his promotion. 1t Is understood
that Colonel Carr has the best chanc,
for the next vacancy, which vii
occur in June when General Stanley retires
Colonel CoppiuGer's claims received snal
consideration. His father-n-lAw, Secretar!
Blaine, was expected TO demand the promo
tion as personal recognition OF past politi
cal favors, but is said to have declined to al
anything more than present his name fo
such recognition as the president might SCI
tit to give II, Colonel Elwell S. Otis OF the
Twentieth infantry, who was tho candidate
OF ex-Secretary of War Proctor was dis
missed from consideration on the grounI
that others senior to him in age and ran X
should other things be equal, os first pro
videc for
Senator Paddock's pure food bill is re