Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1900-11-15
BRYAN'S STATEMENT
The Defeated Presidential Candi-
date Writes About the Election.
TIE GREAT REPUBLICAN VICTORY.
n. Bryan Says Il Was surprise to His
Opponsnts - Well A. to His Friends
Tho Probable Cause Of Repub-
Iican Success.

Lincoln, Neb., Nov. 9.-W. j. Bryan
list night gave out the following
statement concerning the election:
1.-THE result was surprise to mt
sud the magnitude of the republican
victory was surprise to our oppo
uents as well as to those who voted
oar ticket 1t is impossible to analyze
the returns until they are more com
plete, but speaking generally, we seen
70 have gained in the large cities and
70 have lost in the smaller cities and
n the country.
"The republicans were able to Sc
cure tickets or passes for all their
voters who were away from home,
and this gave them considerable ad-
vantage. We have no way OF know
ing at this time how much money
was spent in the purchase OF votes and
IN colonization. But while these would
account for some of the republican
gains they could not account for the
widespread increase in the republican
vote. The prosperity argument was
probably the most potent one used
BY the republicans. They compared
present conditions with the panic
times Of '03 to '06 and this argument
had weight with those who did not
stop to consider the reasons for the
change. The appeal stand by the
president while the war is on had a
great deal of influence among those
who did not realize that a war against
. doctrine OF self-government in the
philippines must react upon us in this
country. We made an honest fight
spon an honest platform and, having
done our duty as we saw II, we have
soothing TO regret. We are defeated
bat not discouraged. The fight must
~ on. I am sure that republican
policies will be repudiated by the peo-
pie when the tendency Of these poll
eies are fully understood. The con-
test between plutocracy and democ-
erhcy cannot end until one or the
other Is completely triumphant"
Concerning himself Mr.. Bryan said:
Il have come out of the campaign
With perfect health and a clear con-
science. I did my utmost to bring
success to the principles for which |
stood. Mr.. Stevenson did all that he
could, Senator Jones and the mem
bers of the democratic, populist, sill
YER republican and anti-imperialist
committees, did all they could. Mr.
Hearst and his associates in the club
organization put forth their best ef-
forts. Our newspapers, our campaign
speeches and our local organizations
oil did their part. | have no fault to
hnd and no repronches. shall con-
tinue to take an active interest in poll
tics as long as | live, | believe it to
be the duty Of the citizen to do so,
and in addition to my interest as u
citizen, | feel that it will require a
lifetime of work to repay the polti-
cal friends who have done so much for
me. ! shall not be a senatorial candi-
date before the legislature which has
been elected. Senator Allen deserves
the senatorship, which goes to the
populists. Mr.. Hitchcock and Mr.. W.
II. Thompson are avowed candidates
tor the senatorship. They both de.
serve well of the party and am too
grateful to them for past support to
stand in their way even il | desired
seat in the senate"
Mr.. Bryan said he has no other plans
at present than to remain at home
until he had recovered from the
fatigue of campaigning. He denied
the report that he would remove from
Nebraska and make Texas his home.