The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-03-21
DEMOCRATS DO NOT LIKE IT.
OPPOSE PoPULIsTIC FEATURES IN
NEBRASKA PLATFORM.

CONGREGATIONAL Democrats Need
Not Adopt Those Featurcs-Ex-
GOV. Campbell Suggests an East
ern Man.
Washington, March 2O-Democratic
congressman are not enthusiastic over
the tone of the Bryan platform as enun-
ciated by the Nebraska Democratic con-
yeution yesterday.
Some of the most conspicuous members
Of the Democratic party are disposed to
cridcise the Nebraska platform because
Of its Populistc favor. Some of them
went so far as to say that if Mr.. Bryan is
responsible for the Nebraska platform.
and expects the Democratic party to re-
affirm that platform at Kansas City, he
Will find a strong and determined opposi-
ton to the ratification of the Populistic
features which it contains.
Senator Jones, chairman of the National
Democratic Committee, declined to share
in the Indignation of some of his Demo-
cratic brethren over the Nebraska plat
form. He said that it is, on the whole,
fair declaration of Democratic principles
to which all loyal and true Bryan Demo-
not follow because the state of Nebraska
adopted certain platform that the Ma
tonal Democratic Convention must take
that platform and adopt it as the doctrine
of the national party. The only objection
he had heard urged against the Nebras-
ka platform is that plank which relates
to the initiative and referendum which
are alleged TO be Populisdc in their ten
dtncy. They were probably inserted for
the reasons local to Nebraska, and they
are not likely to be included in the Ma
tional DemocTatic platform.
bacon and Clay Against 1t.
Senator Clay of Georgia said he could
not support the platform adopted by the
Nebraska Democracy and he did not be-
lieve it would be acceptable to the Ma
tional Democracy. The Populistic fea-
lures, he said, are Objectionable to all
Southern Democrats, who contended
against the Populistic party in the South.
Aside from the Populistic features, the
Nebraska platform seems to be in gener-
al terms a reaffirmation of the Chicago
platform AS far as that goes, Senator
Clay is in entire accord with it, but he
said it would weaken Mr.. Bryan with his
party and drive a good many Democrats
from support of the national ticket if he
insisted on having the National Conven-
ton accept the Nebraska platform as the
party creed.
Senator Bacon also of Georgia said the
Democratic party does not take kindly to
the expressions as to the Initiative and
referendum' because of their close asso-
cation with the Populistic party 1t is
hardly possible, he said, that Mr. Bryan
proposes that the National Democratic
party shall accept the platform of his
STATE Convention and as the key note of
The coming campaign.
Senator Martins Views.
Senator Bacon said that he will not be
a member of the convention but he feels
1t certain that the Georgia delegation will
prefer the reaffirmation of the Chicago
platform without any populistic fiavoring.
Senator Martin Of Virginia said the
Democratic party cannot and will not
stand on the Nebraska platform at the
Kansas City Convention. 1t is possible
that the Nebraska platform was framed
TO meet the demands Of the fusion move
ment which exists in that state, he said,
for it is hardly reasonable to suppose
THAI Nman of Mr.. Bryan's political
astuteness and experience would
for a moment imagine that the Demo-
cratic party could make a successful cam
paign on a platform tinctured with popu-
listic IDEAS.
Senator Lindsay of Kentucky said he
was not surprised at the tone of the Ne
braska platform nor was he surprised 10
see it stated that Mr. Bryan was freely
consulted regarding the constructor of
that platform. Under the circumstances
ii is not unnatural that ii contains some
Populistic ideas for said Senator Lindsay,
Mr.. Bryan has always been in my judge
ment more than half a Populst
BuiIt for Nebraska.
Senator Tllman said he could not see
the use of getting excited over the Ne
braska platform as it was bull 10 suit
the exigencies of the party in Ne
braska and not intended to be
binding on the party in the national
campaign. On the whole, he said. ii was
pretty good sort Of a platform, but there
IS not the slightest danger of The objec-
uonabie featur5s being incorporated in the
national platform. Senator Tillman said
that MIR. Bryan understands pretty well
what the wishes of the rank and file of
the Democratic party are and he will
govern himself accordingly.
Several other senators and Democratic
representatives, in the House who were in
terVewed on this subject stated very
frankly that they would not subscribe to
the populistic features Of the Nebraska
platform and they expressed the hope
that Mr.. Bryan would not injure the pros
poets of party success by attempting TO
commit the Democratic party to those
IDEAS.
Campbell Wants Eastern Man.
Former Gov. James Campbell of Ohio
who is here on legal business, said 1t
would be fatal to the Democratic party
20 so before the country on issues which
are recognized as Populistic in their ten
dency While appreciating the fact that
under existing circumstances Mr.. Bryan
may be again the nominee of the Demo-
cratic party Mr.. Campbell expressed the
opinion that a more conservative man
who can command support OF some of the
Eastern states, would have a better chance
OF being elected. He said the Democratic
party cannot succeed without the aid of
some Of the Eastern states, and the soon
er they realize that fact the better 1t
VIII be for the party.
Owing to the existing complications In
the Republican party, and the general dis
approval Of the foreign policy OF the
present administration Mr.. Campbell con-
siders the prospect Of Democratic success
PARTICULARLY bright at this time, provided
me party nomiuates a good sound, pfac-
ucdl conservative Democrat, Ike William
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