The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-11-16
BRYAN ON THE ELECTION
NOT A TRIAL ON ISSUES BEFORE THE
PEOPLE
But a Successful Plea f,r Continuance Of the
Case Peace Comings these Issues
Must be Faced Again.

Lincoln, Neb.. Nov. 15.-Colonel Will
liam Jennings Bryan tonight gave to
the Associated Press the following in
terview relative to the late election:
while | do not understand that SER
vice in the volunteer army prevents a
soldier from expressing opinions upon
political questions, / declined to take
part in the late campaign lest / should
be accused by partisan opponents of at
tempting to embarrass the Administra-
ton. Now that the election is over l
shall exercise a citizens privilege of dis
GUESSING the returns.
Compared with the election of 1896,
the Republicans have gained Ill some
places and lost in others.
ut was not Il sweeping Republican
victory. On the whole the result is not
surprising when it is remembered that
the Administration is just concluding a
successful war
while a majority Of the soldiers are
probably anti-Republican the manage
ment of the war has been entirely IN
Republican hands and the strongest ar
gument used during the campaign was
that a Republican defeat would dis
credit the President in the eyes of for
eign nations. while his commissioners
were engaged in making a treaty.
1T was not a trial upon the issues
now before the people, but a successful
plea for a continuance of the case. The
people have not accepted the gold stand
ard: they have not fallen in love with
the plan to give the banks monopoly
of the issue of paper money; they have
not decided to retire the greenbacks;
they have not surrendered to the trusts.
-ALTRUISM OF SILVER FORCES.
..These questions We're 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 consideration certain
vital. economic questions That plat
form has not been abandoned by those
who endorsed it in 1896. 1t will be reaf-
firmed in 1900 because it gives express
sion to the hopes and aspirations of a
large majority of the party.
when the Democrats, Popnlists and
silver Republicans favored Cuban indie
pendence, they understood that wan
would give temporary advantage to the
party i'll power, but they were willing
to risk defeat in order to aid the people
fighting to be free.
Neither can the election be regarded
as an endorsement Of any definite for
eien policy. Until a treaty of peace has
been entered into and the terms made
known, the people cannot pass Judgment
on it. Whether the war will raise any
question of sufficient Importance to turn
public attention away from domestic
problems remains to- be seen.
In regard TO the Nebraska election, he
said:
"A light vote was cast in Nebraska,
but the Fusionists have elected the en-
tire State ticket and carried the same
Congressional districts they carried in
1896. If Senator Allen is defeated for
reelection it will be because Senators
are elected by legislators instead OF
by the people. If a Republican Senator
is chosen by the new Legislature he will
go TO Washington to represent a minori-
ty of the State and to thwart the will of
the majority