Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-04-19

and fallen. The collapse was deserved,
and the newspaper which would seek
to turn the present international
crisis TO political account merits and
VIII receive the contempt of the coun-
try
In its Introductory remarks, as in its
caption, the Intelligencer, referring to
a recent casual visit of Hon. W j.
Bryan 10 Washington City, en- route
TO New England, refers 10 a rumor or
report in certain administration organs
tional capital was 10 influence Con-
gressmen and Senators against the ad-
ministration policy and in favor of the
Turpie amendment for free Cuba. and
remarks that if this ~ true" it will
''cause a reaction among the people,
The Intelligencer then throws its
conscientious doubts as TO the truth of
the report to the winds, assumes il is
true, and proceeds to make an argu-
ment Of an ultra partisan nature
against Mr. Bryan, his visit, and the
purpose thus suddenly credited by the
lntelligencer. and remarks. among
other things, that Mr.. Bryan's visit
was unfortunate, and its purpose
'disgraceful"
This sort of thing merits public con
tempt. Mr.. Bryan has not interfered
in the discussion and legislation upon
the question now attracting the atten-
ton of the country and of the civilized
world. On the contrary, he has dis
tinctly refused to say anything which
might be construed as meddling, was
in Washington in the capacity of a
private citizen, naturally attracted
some attention, received some courte-
sizes, and in due time proceeded on his
way Evidence to the contrary is en-
tirely lacking. Had there been any,
other Republican papers, as well as
the Intelligencer, would have promptly
made the most of it, in their support
of the milk-and- policy of the
Hanna Elkins, Fairbanks Reed crowd.
But there was nothing tangible, and in
the effort TO enforce the adminislra-
ton demand for peace at-any-price, TO
iorOnra rho Maipo d;cac+or hrt,,
about continuance of the policy of
delay. and 10 whip in Senators and
Representatives to this line OF naction.
the casual visit of Mr. Bryan to the
capital was seized upon by certain
people, and used as a means of accom-
plishing a not particularly patriotic
end. And this effort was reflected in
the Intelligencer of yesterday in the
manner and form above referred to,
for political purposes.
Suppose, for the sake Of the argu-
ment, Mr. Bryan had done all those
things he is falsely charged with.
Would his course have been half so
bad as that, for instance, of certain
Republican Senators during the past
week. or of Speaker Reed, on Sunday
when he led we'll organized cam
paign and resorted 10 every device
known TO the adept in practical. pcli-
tics, TO the end that the Senate resoiu-
ton. passed by Republican votes
might be set aside. and the uncertainty
with all its disastrous results to bust
ness and its enforced expenditure Of
the money of the people. be indefinite
ly prolonged? The Spanish question
might and should have been settled
the day after the Presidents message
was received, had there been frmness
in the White House and a spirit of true
Americansm in the higher councils Of
the administration party. But a week
has passed. and we have done nothing
but delay and spend money. Presently
we shall have become a deserved mark
for the ridicule of the world
The public sentiment OF the country
demands action-defnite and honor
able-without further loss of time 1t
has looked for it and hoped for it for
weeks past And for answer il has
subterfuge. vacillation. delay. parti-
sanship, and the expenditure of about
fifty millions of dollars
Mr.. w j. Bryan is not the guilty
man. The people who have sought TO
compromise the nation and elected to
forget the crime of Havana harbor
must be looked for elsewhere And as
for partisanship, we have nowhere
seen such an exhibition of it as was
afforded Sunday by Speaker Thomas
Bracket Reed and his supine follow
ers in the city of Washington, two
days ago.
The Attorney General of Colorado
has decided that there is no authority
for a change OF name at marriage or