Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-10-31
WILL NOT SUPPORT BRYAN
CHARLES FRANCIS ADAMS OPPOSED
TO HIS SILVER VIEWS.
Believes Anti-Imperfalists Should
Concentrate Their Efforts on
Obtaining the House.


Charles Francis Adams and Carl Schurz,
been published relative to a proposition Of
the former that the efforts of the antrim
perialists be directed toward obtaining a
majority in the House of Representatives.
Mr.. Adams says in his first letter to Mr..
Schurz, dated October 20: 1.-The tide now
appears to be setting strongly toward Presi-
dent McKinley's reelection. The whole
tone of discussion shows, however, that the
great body of those thus drifting do not
favor imperialism; nor are they disposed
to condone the many and grievous short
comings of the administration in other re-
spects"
Yet he is unwilling to vote for Mr.. Bryan,
as the gold standard has not yet been firmly
established, and he says: I'VE are most re-
luctant to see Mr. Bryan, with his we'll
known views and tenacious disposition, in
stalled in the presidential chair"
"There Is, however" he continues lone
probable outcome of the present canvass as
to which you and we are in perfect unison.
1t is now obviouS-so obvious, indeed, as
hardly to be even denied-that the weak
point in the republican line Of battle IS the
control Of the next House of Representa-
tives. A very slight if well l-directed, effort,
might well cause House to be elected con-
trolled by an opposition majority. This,
even with reelected administration,
would, l submit, bring about every practi-
cal result the opponents of imperialism
have in view.
Moreover, 1t appears to me- as it does to
many Others, that in case Of the reelection
of President Mckinley an opposition House
of Representatives would, from almost
every point Of view, be q national safe
guard.
"On the other hand, the defeat Of Mr..
Bryan will close the silver debate. His
party this year most reluctantly accepted
the issue of 16 to l., and the overthrow at
the polls of It's exponent would finally ex-
tinguish that heresy, making Of it a laugh
ing stock"
Mr.. Schurz Dissents.
Mr.. Schurz, in his reply, disagreed with
Mr.. Adams as to the advisability Of aban-
doning Bryan. He held that a small oppo-
sition majority, with a hostile executive,
would be able to do very little. He con-
tinueS:
1T is. indeed, said that the reelection of
Mr.. Mckinley cannot be rightly understood
as popular approval of his so-called Phil
fppine policy, because it will be well known
that many voters supported him on other
grounds, while they strongly condemned
that policy. However that may be. nothing
is more certain than that Mr.. Mckinley 8
reelection will-wrongfully, to be sure-be
represented as a popular verdict, and will
be SO accepted by large part of the Amer
lean people,"
kinley al the polls.
RejOinder of Mr.. Adams.
Mr.. Adams, in his rejoinder, said:
Il think you greatly underestimate the
consequences OF an election of an opposi-
ton House Of Representatives at this juno
ture. The common sense Of the country
would, am convinced, accept such result
as equivalent to a vote Of want Of conf
dence in an administration which, under ex-
listing conditions, could not safely be dis
placed. Thus, the act could hardly fail to
be productive of far-reaching effects; nor
do 1 think an administration so continued
in office would find 1t the easy matter you
suggest to manipulate such a House so as
to make ii further the policy it was when
chosen, pledged to oppose.
However this may be, one thing is clear
| a large proportion of the dissatisfied ele-
ment of 1896 cannot reconcile themselves
to transfer of the national government
from those now in control to those Mr.
Bryan represents, nor will they contribute e
to that end.
There is a homely adage to the effect
that half a loaf is better than no bread
That half loaf We fair chance of Sc
| curing by pursuing the course l have out
| lined. In this you concur, merely express
ing dstrust as to the relative size of the
| portion of the loaf thus secured to that not
secured Even should the portion we hope
| 10 secure prove of no more value than you
| suggest, our regret at losing the other por.
| ton will still be very considerably allie
| Waited by the reflection that 1t contains a
| singular collection of most unsavory polit.
| lcal plums, scarcely less unpalatable to you
than to u.s.