Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1899-10-19
TIRED Of BRYANISM
His Canvass Making Little impress.
sion on Iowa Politics.
MEETINGS NOT WELL ATTENDED
He Advocates Unpopular Issues-Con'
test In Iowa.Johnson Senatorial
District-Ranck and the
State University.

Des Moines, Oct. 1s.-If the visit of
William j. Bryan to the state of Iowa
produced any noticeable impression on
the politics OF the state the fact has not
become known here at the political
headquarters. 1t is generally under
stood that for the most part his trip
was attended by severe frosts and
chills. He had a big meeting in lie
Mars and one or two other places where
he had not been before, but in most Of
the places the absence of the people
from his much advertised meetings in
dicated very clearly that they are tired
OF him and his issue. He is Synony-
nous with free silver; the people re-
member that he was the whole thing in
1896 ana that he declared not longer
AFRO than the 18th of last August that
silver is the leading issue before the
American people and that he who
seeks TO put something else before it
sis either grossly ignorant or is trying
to deceive the people for political pur-
poses" Now that he has been trying
his best to sidetrack that issue, to wear
a different coat so as not TO scare the
game, the question arises. which is it,
ignorance or deception with Mr.. Bryan?
The game he is after, the voter of Iowa,
is wary bird, and he recognizes the
old dangerous shape under the new
cover; he sees the old free silver gun
stickine out and he is careful to keep
out OF range. Neither can he be caught
with anv of the old, stale, antitrust
bait and made to believe that he is in
distress and destitution when he feels
prosperity pressing upon him from all
sides.
Mr.. Bryan used this device to snare
the farmers, but they just laughed. He
failed to make them believe they were
III hard luck, when they look at their
bank books and their fine residences
and plenty all around. In short, the
calamity howl, the same old speech he
made three years ago last spring, be-
fore he captured the Chicago conven-
ton, was recognized, and it made the
people tired. He even used some of the
same old stories for the same old pur-
pose in the same towns, and that was
carrying it a little too far. In one place
an impartial comment made upon his
speech was this: what dishonest
way he has of putting things! 1t was
just about such speech as one would
expect from some dull democrat who
has been reading democratic speeches
for three months and had swallowed all
the rot he saw there. Both democrats
and republicans were sorely disappoint-
ed in the speech. 1t was labored from
beginning TO end-no effort at oratory
1t looks like an effort to fulfill his Ell
gagements as a Snowman and draw his
salary" This comment is probably
about as fair and comprehensive as any.
1t just fits the man who has declared
that it was 'the money there is in the
Office, rather than the honor. that at
tracts me-" and then denied that he
had said it until the fac-simile OF the
letter was produced.
The extreme Bryanites hardly know
what to say about this letter. At first
some of them said it was an exhibition
OF bad faith on the part of J. Sterling
Morton, to whom the letter was written
But Mr.. Morton was obliged to publish
the letter in self-defense, because Bry.
an had denied it and declared that Mr.
Morton was liar to have charged that
he, Bryan, ever said such thing. The
letter was not private one, so Mr.
Morton used it to identify the liar in
i the case. Now some of the popocrats
devotees of Bryan, are indulging the
surmise that this blow was not aimed
by republicans, but by democrats who
want to kill Bryan off and get him GU,
of the way before the democratic con
vention OF 1900 is held. They are prob
ably right for nothing would suit ths
republicans better than to keep Bryar
in the leadership of the fusionists. H,
lis as easy mark as could be asked
The people know him and som.
other mountebank could fool then
easier.
The contest in the Iowa-Johnson sen
atorial district is getting more interest
ing. OF course the democrats are at
lacking Senator Ranck with all thu
bitterness conceivable. They are vent
inc the feelings they have cherished to
ward him for three years, during which
time he has not been in sympathy witt
the silver element that has been in con
troll. At the same time they are charg
ing that he is democrat yet and ha,
only changed to get Office. If Senator
Ranck had been made on this plan b,
would simply have remained regular
without any fuss and got his second
term without opposition, as his ability
would have made it impossible for any
republican to carry the district agains
him. But he followed his conviction.
out of the democratic party. Nor die
he do anything but try to get away
from the nomination he has now &C
cepted. All spring and summer tn,
Republicans were after him to be theil
candidate but he said, as is well known
to this writer. that he would not hav,
it; that it should go to republican
, and man from Iowa county. Wher
: the delegates from johnson county
started for the convention they called
! on Senator Ranck and asked for hi,
final determination. He told them h,
would not take the nomination IL Their,
was a republican in Iowa county VIII.
. would take it, and he would not take i
then unless it was unanimous. Whel
J the convention met the johnson count,
!, men declared that they had no candi
, date and were for some man from low;
county. The Iowa county men the,
said thev had no candidate and nomi
mated Mr.. Ranck, and he wa
, nominated by reclamation. Now h
; wants to be elected and is making
} good fight.