The times., 1899-03-23
GENERAL WASHINGTON
NEWS AND GOSSIP.

Can Bryan Hold the south There
are rumors of serious revolt against VIII
liam ]. Bryan in the South. The strength
of the anti-Bryan movement in the section
is not yet apparent, but if it gains suffi-
cient momentum to prevent Mr.. Bryan
controlling any number of the Southern
States his nomination for President by the
Democratic National Convention next year
would be endangered. During the past lew
days there have been rumors that former
Gov William j. Stone. of Missouri. was a
candidate for the Presidency, and would
be rival to Mr.. Bryan before the next
Democratic National Convention. Mr..
Stone is recognized in the South and West
as q very able politician. II he has de-
cided to enter the field against Mr.. Bryan
it is safe to say that he is confident that
he can give the gentleman from Nebraska
a good run for his money. Without the
practical support of the South Mr.. Bryan
can scarcely hope to control the Democratic
National Convention next year. His friends
recognize this fact and make no attempt to
conceal it. If the South does not remain
loyal to Bryan the chances are that he
will not be the nominee of the Democratic
party for President next year. Close friends
of Mr.. Bryan, however, while acknowledge
ing that certain opposition has developed
against the favorite in the South, claim
that 1t will not be strong enough to do
him any particular harm. They are con-
fident that the Bryan contingent will be
able to control the Southern wing OF the
Democratic National Convention.
The Bryan-Bclmont Incident.-In
view of the alleged opposition to Bryan in
certain sections of the South, Mr.. Bryan s
refusal to attend the Belmont-Cro din
ner in New York on Thomas Jefferson S
birthday is of more than passing interest
Mr. Bryan, by turning down the invitation
received through Mr.. Belmont, has in effect
served notice on the gold Democrats who
| Joined the Palmer and Buckner movement
| in 1895 that they could not expect to re-
| ceive any recognition at the hands OF the
/ men at present in control of the Demo-
cratic organization. Mr.. Bryan has ac-
| cepted an invitation to attend rival
| Democratic dinner in New York, which
has been arranged by representatives of
| the loyal supporters of the Democratic
| platform of 1896. The Belmont Croker
dinner will cost $40 plate, the dinner
which Mr.. Bryan will attend will cost
only 81 per plate. 1t is to be a popular
affair, but the list of guests will include
| most of the prominent leaders of the loyal
| Democracy. Mr.. Bryan by invading New
] York has thrown down the gauntlet to Mr.,
/ Belmont and Mr.. Croker. 1t is safe to say
| that If Mr.. Bryans friends control the
Democratic National Convention next year
that no delegates will be admitted to the
| convention that have not subscribed to
the doctrines enunciated by the Democratic
convention of 1896.
Former Representative Outhwaite OF
| Ohio. who is leading gold Democrat, was
| in Washington yesterday and had some
interesting comment to make on the situa-
| tiOn.
81 think he said. that it is simply
ridiculous for Mr.. Bryan to attempt to
read Democrats out of the party because
they have not supported his views in the
past. The result Of such course will be
| beneficial in one respect. 1t will impress
| upon Democrats the fact that their first
| duty in the future is to make no attempt
to conciliate Mr.. Bryan, who is the repre-
| sentative of the Objectionable ideas OF the
| Chicago platform"
Regarding the controversy between Mr..
Bryan and Mr.. Belmont, Mr.. outhwaite
said:
1T is likely to result in strong organi-
zation of Democrats against Organism to
| contest the right to use the name and be
! considered the Democratic party. There
are thousands of Democrats who do not
believe in some of the features of the Chi
| cago platform, who voted for Bryan in
1896 on the ground OF regularity. These
men will refuse to be bound down to his
notions of what constitutes Democracy.
Even il these, Democrats do not join In an
, independent movement next year they are
quite apt to vote against Bryan should he
| be the nominee of the Democratic Nation
al Convention for President.
1T is not clear yet what course the
Palmer and Buckner contingent will pur-
sue next year. l do not know whether
they will attempt to go into the Democrat
ic National ,Conyention or not Circum-
stances must develop their attitude upon
that point. But one thing may be relied
upon. They are just as much opposed to
| Mr.. Bryan or any other man who may be
nominated Upon the Chicago platform as
they were in 1896, and they will do their
level best to defeat him. The Palmer and
Buckner people defeated Mr.. Bryan and
| they will defeat him in 1900 If he is nomi-
mated upon a platform similar to the one
adopted by the Chicago Convention in
1896. Mr. Bryan and his friends need not
be in any doubt on this subject Unless
! the platform of the Democratic party next
year is radically different from what II
/ was in 1896 the Democrats who supported
Palmer and Buckner in 1896 will oppose
| the nominee of the convention, whoever he
may be. We hold the balance of power
and we know 1t. We cannot be read out
of the party by Mr.. Bryan or any other
man."
] As an able argument to prove that the
! tail can always wag the dog, Mr. Outh-
waites remarks are worthy of preserva-
| tion in enduring brass.