Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1898-11-19
BRYAN ON ELECTIONS
The Nebraska Colonel Submits TO
a Press Interview.
THE RESULT EOr SURPRISING.

People Voted Not on Party Issues.
But TO Sustain tho Administration
That Conducted n Successful War.
Chicago PiatFormwfn BE Reamrmed.
Lincoln. Neb.. Nov. 1s.-Colonel w. J.
Bryan last night gave to the press the
following interview relative to the late
election.
while do not understand that ser
vice in the volunteer army prevents a
soldier from expressing his opinions
upon political questions. declined to
take part in the late campaign lest I
should be accused by partisan oppo-
nents of attempting TO embarrass the
administration. Now that the election
is over shall exercise a citizens priv
ilese OF discussing the returns.
Compared with the election of 1896.
the Republicans have gained in some
places and lost in others. IL was not
a sweeping Republican victory. On the
whole the result is not surprising when
1t is remembered that the administra-
ton rs just concluding a successful war
While a majority Of the soldiers are
probably anti-Republicans. the man
ageDRent OF the war has been entirely in
Republican hands. and the strongest
argument used during the campaign
was that a Republican defeat would
discredit the president in the eyes of
foreign nations, while his commission
ers were engaged in making a treaty.
ut was not a trial upon the issues
now before the people, but a successful
| plea Tor continuance of the case. The
| people have not accepted the gold
standard: they have not fallen in love
4 mis- 70 erfx- 1,n hoy n
monopoly OF the issue OF paper money:
| they have not decided to retire the
| greenbacks; they have not surrendered
1 20 the trusts.
| These QCestiors were forced into the
background by the declaration of war.
| but they must be faced again as soon
as peace is restored. The Chicago
| platform presents for public consider
alton certain vital economic questions.
| That platform has not been abandoned
4 by those who Endorsed it in 1896 II
will be reaffirmcd in 1900. because il
gives expression to the hopes and as
pirations of large majority OF the
| party.
when the Democrats. Populists and
| Silver Republicans favored Cuban in
dependence they understood that war
would give a temporary advantage to
Il
ing 40 risk defeat in order to aid the
| people fighting TO be free.
Neither can the election be regard
ed as an Endorsement OF any definite
foreign policy. Until a treaty of peace
has been entered into and the terms
made known the people cannot pass
| Judgment upon ~, Whether the war
will raise any question OF sufficient i'm
portance to turn public attention away
from Democratic problems remains tc
| be seen"
In regard to the Nebraska election he
said:
"A light vote was cast in Nebraska
but the fusioLists have elected the en-
tire state ticket and carried the same
congressional districts that they car
ried in 1896. If Senator Allen is de-
feated for reelection il will be be-
cause senators are elected by legisla-
tors instead of by the people If q
Republican senator is chosen by the
new legislature he viii go to Wash.
ington TO represent a minority OF tht
people Of the state. and 10 thwart tn,
viii Of the majority"