The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-10-30
THE HICKORY ELM CLUB.


HAS any other member of Mr.. Cleve-
lands late Cabinet repudiated Mr.. Bryan
partially or in toto since the last meeting of
this club?:. inquired the president.
There was no response.
HAS any Democrat of national promi-
nence left us within the last twenty-four
hours?" he inquired.
Colonel Snort arose and said: IL have
been keeping tab on Democrats of national
prominence, and am glad TO say that we
have got rid Of most of the more conspicu-
Gus of them and that there will be very few
assertions hereafter. If Bryan had stayed
away from New York and Michigan L am
satisfied that many Democrats Of national
and local prominence in those States would
have remained with US to the end of the
campaign, if not longer"
Colonel Snort stated that a number of
Democrats who belong to the sheep breed
it's false prophet. say the enemy, but what
ers trust had left Bryan because they un-
derstood that he intended to repeal the
tariff on wool.
DR.. Fugleton reported from the commit
tee on medical quacks that the ply
sicians and surgeons were still indulg
ing feeling of security and that he
had heard of no Democrat renounc-
ing Mr.. Bryan on account of any
threat he had made to abolish the
medical societies of the country for having
combined to regulate prices of visits to the
sick, lame or demented. Said he: at is
very probable that If some one should post
him on the state of the statutes in some of
the States with reference TO the schemes
that have been enacted into law for the
protection of the public against imposition
by quack doctors, he would Immediately
demand their repeal, in which case he
would lose some votes"
"A few days more" said the president,
land the country will know definitely what
it may expect for the next four years.
said this to a Republican acquaintance OF
mine the other day and he wanted TO. bet
five to one that he could tell definitely
right then how the country would De nXed
for the next four years. l told him 10 keep
his money, that 1 could not afford to COM
promise my character by wagering money
on an election at any odds whatever. He
went on to make a stump speech by saying
that Bryan had tried TO make Imperialism
the paramount issue without the consent
of any other party on earth. Said he: 'Po-
litical issues are not made by candidates or
conventions. They arise naturally from the
conditions prevailing at the time, and as
the conditions existing in this country at
this time are satisfactory to everybody in
ing wages, the only question that can log
ically grow out of the situation is does the
country want change? OF course. the
Bryan Democracy wants a change, but that
element would demand a change though
Mckinley had caused ten-dollar bills 10
grow on blackberry bushes, with every
man, woman and child in America the
owner of a blackberry patch. Upon the
paramount issue of change we have upon
one side the gold standard, sound money.
increased foreign trade, good prices for the
M ~ he ia rms
the glory of the splendid achievements Of
the army and navy In the Spanish war,
the emancipation of a people from the
tyranny and oppression of a cruel and cor
rupt government, territorial expansion and
prosperity unparalleled in the history of
this or any other country in an
other otfn Of hand %0'e we haSe B Sg ne
which means opposition to all the policies
or the administration that have given us
these conditions We are 10 have the ex-
pertinent of bimetallism, whatever that
may mean, without even the promise OF
another days work for better pay for any
kets to the cheap goods of foreign coun-
tries; We are to haul down the flag in the
philippines. surrender to Aguinaldo and
abandon profitable commerce in the East
tries of the land the pretense OF get
ting rid of the trusts, and abolish the.
little standing army that we have and let
the mob run the machine to its hearts
content. Since 1 have come TO think Of f.
| will bet you ten TO one that IL won't
happen said he, and he went on TO say:
There never has been the replotest chance
for your man Bryan since Mckinley went
to Washington in 80. II the war with
Spain had been failure; If Dewey had
slipped cog and lost his fleet in Manila
bay, IL Cervera had smashed Sampson
and Schley: II the Rough Riders had been
captured by the Spaniards; If the treaty
of Paris had given Spain billion dollars
indemnity; IL there had been deficit in
the revenues of the government by the
failure Of the Dingley tariff; IL business had
not revived and the souphouse had re-
manned in the land, there might have been
a show for Bryan. but as Il is will wager
sixteen to one that he will never see the
White House as President OF the United
States"
what did you reply to him after he had
churned you in tfiat manner?" inquired
what could I say? knew IN nv heart
that he was telling the truth, and I had no
money to stop the bluff."
''As I understand the custom and laws
of this club" said DIR. Fugleton what Is
said here goes no further. Am correct.
Mr.. President?'
''Your understanding is correct The
secrets of this club are held to be inyiolate
cret."
.well, then. / wish to make a confess
siop." said DR.. Fugleton. IT have only
been an active member for short time. as
you all know, and l have some delicacy
my duty 10 say. with due Difference TO
the hopes and feelings OF those presen.
that the national election, for ali futents
and purposes, has been held. and we might
as well treat It as an event OF the past.
II IL were not for the per diem that will
be earned by few Democrats on the elec-
ttoa boards on election day / would move
60 make the choice OF Mckinley and
SO H9os ss ' 1nsrImo9s: not that indorse