The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-08-13
CONVERTS TODEMOCRACY
Scores of Prominent Republicans
Turn to Bryan.
Many Men Who Supported Presi-
dent Mckinley in 1896 Renounce
Him and Declare Against the
Policy of Imperialism - Dangers
of MiIifarism and Large Armies.

The number of influential Republicans
who have renouuced allegiance to Presi-
dent Mckinley and have announced their
support of Bryan and Stevenson grows
larger. From every quarter of the country
former Mckinley men are quitting the
party of Imperialism. The list of such de-
fections is so large that only a small per-
centage of the influential men who are
leading the revolt against absolutism can
be given.
Dr.. H. q. Leonard, Consul to Clifton
Falls. Canada, under President Harrison
appeared at indianapolis on Bryan day
wearing a Bryan badge. u am for Bryan
heart and SOUL he said, land shall do all
in my power to aid in his election. Nc
Kinley has been a failure. He has no back
bone, and is completely under the domina-
tion of the trusts
Col. William E. Mclean, First Deputy
Commissioner of Pensions under Cleve-
land. gold man, who voted for Mckinley,
announces that he Will vote for Bryan this
fall. Colonel Mclean lives at Terre Haute.
Ind, where he presided over the gold meet
ing addressed by Bourke Cochran at that
placs four years ago. Il am opposed to
the imperialistic policy of Mckinley he
says, and could not think of voting for
him this year.
N. C. Collins, banker and lifelong Re
publican, of Peotone, H., Announces his
unqualified support of Bryan this year. and
has contributed to the Bryan campaign
fund. Il believe that Mr.. Bryan's posi-
tion on imperialism and militarism is
right" says MIR. Collins. "and l believe
that issue to be the most important one
now before the people
James Alexander. of Lockport, Ill, an
other lifelong Republican. and president
Of the VIII County Farmers Institute, an
nounees that he will support Bryan. Nc
kinley's colonial policy is a dangerous de-
parture from republican institutions says
Mr.. Alexander. and / cannot support him.
i shall vote and work for Bryan this fall.
Ex-Goy. Andrew J. Felt, one OF the
leading Republicans OF Kansas, anEoInoes
that he will support the Democratic State
and National ticket this year. In letter
TO Hon. John ". Breidenthsl. candidate
for Governor of Kansas on the Fusion
ticket Mr.. Felt says: Il have this day
rendered my resignation as chairman OF
the Republican County Central Committee
OF Nemaha Courty. In this campaign my
duty as q citizen leads me to cast my
ballot for Americans who still believe that
the legend upon the dollar, In God we
trust is more noble ideal thaa the new
Mark Hanna version: In the trusts We
find our gods.
Herman C. Mueller, a prominent German
manufacturer of GAINESVILLE, Ohio, also
quits the Republican party. In an open
letter to the German citizens Of Akron he
says: "Militarism will, if successful, in
time create monarchy. l think, there
fore, standing army is menace to peace.
Monarchies are always created in time of
war and national or international friction.
Therefore l am unalteiably opposed to the
policy OF imperialism inauguratsd by the
Mckinley Administration
Paul G. Schulz OF Cairo, H., head of one
of the largest Wholesale drug coupan.es
il southern Illinois and a lifelong Replb-
lican, is out Tor Bryan He is an o.d
soldier, having been private in the Ninth
Illinois Infantry. Il eanrot endorse the
policy Of Imperialism adopted by this Ad-
ministratioR. and which l fought against
in 1s61.' SAYS Mr.. Schuh. ''Militarism
and al its attendant evils would b. the
ruin Of this Republic, and therefore l an
for Bryan ard Stevenson
III. c. c. Church, OF Parkerzburg w Va,
one of the founders Of the Repub ican party
and who established and edited for VI ars
that stanch Republican organ, the state
Journal has announced in an op=n letter
that he will support Bryan. In this letter
MIR. Church says: There is no r =p1b lean
party in the old sense. Its cycle OF usz
closed with the ruling power back of the
throne, the modern master of imperialism,
nater1alism, and Mckinleyism-Mar
Hanna There IS no longer any reason
why true Republicans should not vote for
Mr. Bryan, the chosen leader Of the people.
in this crisis OF our country"
John F. FiEnerty. former Republican
Congressman and leader OF the Chicago
Irish Americans, has also announced his
intention to support Mr.. Bryan on the
anti-imperialism issue. Mr.. Finnerty is
the editor Of the Citizen" ana President
Of the United Irish Societies of Chicago. (
He says: No self-respecting Irishman can
support the foreign policy Of President Me-
kinley"
Alexander Elias. who represents one of
the largest manufacturing companies in
New York City. and who has been on the
road" for fifteen years, and voted for Nc
Kinley four years ago, says: Il have Just
completed business trip through Michi-
gan, Indiana, Illinois. Wisconsin, and Min
nesota. and from what / have heard from
my customers and others / believe Bryan
will carry all these States l voted for
Mckinley in 1886, but / am going TO vote
for Bryan this time, because / have got
through being buneoed by the false cry of
prosperity by party which is sold out
TO the trusts"
Ex-District Judge j. A Burnette. of
Caldwell. Kan. lifelong Republican. has
left that party. Il hope TO live long
enough" he says. Ito see en- American
President elected and Imperialism forever
crushed out in this country. For this rea-
son shall vote for John W. Breidenthal
for Governor and Bryan for President this
fall"
Magnus A. Bess, of Chicago, the "Origi-
nal Mckinley Man" who organized the
first Mckinley club in the United States,
and by whose personal efforts ! 800 votes
were cast for the Canton statesman. has
Joined the Bryan ranks. The membership
of the original Mckinley club is still in
tact. and its members are pledged 10 vote
as a unit. "our club will hold a reorgani-
cation meeting shortly, and ! am quite
confident l shall be able 10 secure a ma
jority OF the members to pledge themselves