, 1897-12-02
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 2. 1897.
AN OPEN

Recently the Nebraska State Journal
gave space to an arrangement of Mr..
Bryan by one Of his neighbors. from
whichth following excerpts are taken:
TO w. ]. Bryan. Dear Sir: You are
touring this state as a pretended friend
Of Nebraska and of Nebraska's people.
II you really desire the prosperity OF
Nebraska people, why do you deny the
prosperity that has already come to
them? Why do you seek to take away
the new hope that has come, and to
turn back the tide Of confidence which
is rising in the public mind"
The business energy OF the people
II awakened, and they are moving for
ward In all lines OF industry. Why do
you straddle yourself over the way and
seek to turn the procession back? II
o had been elected president instead
OF Mckinley, and IL under YOU admin.
~istration a general advance in farm
prices and a renewal of industry had
Wv - AN ~ ACoc Gu tOuultloLS
had been especially conspicuous in Ohio
as they are today in Nebraska, do you
think Mckinley would today be chas-
ing from town to town through the
state Of Ohio trying to discourage the
people and organize them into opposl>
ton and d%istrust?"
Can you consistently pose as a
statesman and patriot while acting in
the capacity Of an obstructionist, dodg-
ing the heels Of industry like a BUSH
wacker who hangs On the TANKS Of an
advancing army? In The Pilgrims
Progress by John Bunyan, there is a
character whose mission is similar to
yours. He would lurk by the wayside
where the pilgrims were passing on
their way from the City of Destruction,
and, falling into conversation with
them. would seek to urn them back.
He would point out that just ahead was
the Slough of Despond. into whose mire
they were likely to sink Beyond this
slough was a mountain that was liable
to fall upon them. Beyond the noun
tain was a hill of difficulty. and at the
top vas q narrow pass. where hungry
lions waited to devour them. Beyond
the lions was a roaring dragon. from
whose belly poured out fire and smoke.
There was a giant waiting at the mouth
Of his cave, there was a dark valley
where hobgoblins and evil spirits Kissed
and muttered, and II any pilgrim, by
dint of extraordinary courage, succeed
ed in escaping all these evils, still there
vas a deep, dark river at the very END
nj the way which never could be cross
ed"
Mr.. Bryan, you pose as a friend Of
labor. Did any workingman ever get
q dollar of your money? Did you ever
evolve a practical plan that gave any
laboring man employment? Labor
wants a practical friend. who can
evolve a practical plan. and then put it
into execution. Buckstaff thought of a
brfckyard. He carried the thought into
action, and for many year gave en-
ployment TO labor in making brick.
Look down o street Inc you can see
Buckstaff's brick. but what nave you
done for this city? Where is your mark
in this town."
"You, Mr.. Bryan, have gathered in
the last few months over 500, 900 from
those whom you designate as the
'downtrodden and toiling Masses Not
a dollar of this money has found its
way back into any poor mans pocket.
and not a cent Of it is risked in any
labor employment industry. The result
of your connection with the downtrod-
den masses is 800, 900 out Of their
pockets into yours. but NJ a dollar out
Of yours into theirs"
"The anvils r ringing at Havelock.
I'd the men in full force are working
oektme; but you deny it. At Platts-
mtuth and Al Omaha the labor payroll
IL double what 1t wa a year ago; but
Yen deny it. At McCook. where the
payroll was $4,000 a month last year,
Its 928, 900 a month now; but you deny
it. At Nebraaka City. where the Bur-
lingtonis shipping business was 81, 900
a month last year, it is now $33, 900 a
month: but you deny 1t. The railroad
engineer whose monthly pay check was
SIS a month last year, is $125 a month
now; but you deny it.
you stand on the track waving your
danger signal. warning the engineer
that the prosperity track and the Nc
Kinley bridge is unsafe.
When wheat was 40 cents. you said