New-York tribune., 1902-03-24
A REPULSE FOR BRYAN.
DEMOCRATS PLANS TO RE-
PUDLAIE LEADER.
MANY WILLING To RETURN To PRIN-
CIPLES OF THE FORMER PARTY.
IBT rELEGRAPI To THE rRIBUSE-I


nings Bryan's last visit 10 Washington, week
or ten days ago. there has been some lively
manPuvring under cover among the Demo-
cratic politicians. Everybody here understands
that Bryan is still a candidate for President, but
at this time there few we'll informed people
who believe the Democrats ever again viii make
him their standard bearer. In view of this feel
ing, 1t Is not strange that nearly every Demo-
cratic Senator and the great majority OF House
Democrats resent his constant Interference with
the party plans in Congress The old line lead
ers. like Senators Vest and CockreH. of Mis-
souri,; Morgan anu Pettus, of Alabama: McEn-
cry and Foster of Louisiana; Money and Nc
Laurin. Of Mississippi, and even Tillman. OF
South Carolina, although declining to give inter
views on the subject outspOken. and at
times almost denunciatory, in their criticisms OF
the unhorsed Nebraskan's attempts to boss the
members of the Senate and House on all Iegfs-
lative matters in which he concelves there Is a
chance to make his sort of political capital
For example. when Mr.. Bryan was last here
he insisted that the joint resolution calling for
a constitutional amendment for the election OF
Senators by the direct vote of the people be
made a party question. and he informed in
plain terms by some Of the older Democrats in
both houses Of Congress that. even If the propo-
sition were not undemocratic. in that 1T sought
TO destroy utterly the distinctive sovereignty OF
the states IN the tederal senate, II could not be
made party issue by the Democrats for the
reason that the resolution had been adopted
by a Republican House. and the movement
really was stronger in Republican States like
Michigan and Wisconsin than it was IN Demo
cratic States like Missouri ard Mississippi
BRYAN NOT IN PLEASANT MOOD.
When he failed signaIly IN his effort to
fasten this proposition upon his party in Con-
gress. Mr.. Bryan accepted the failure
direct rebuke. and consequently was in no pleas
ant frame Of mind when he left Washington. II
is expected that his pique soon viii find ex-
preston in his weekly newspaper in the form
Of attacks upon many OF the leading Democrats
in Congress-attacks pitched in the key OF his
frequent assaults upon the unodending Cleve-
land. the energetic and hopeful Hill. the adroie
and expectant German and others OF that class
whom Mr.. Bryan suspects OF designs upon the
Democratic nomination in 1904
Whether or not ne starts this sort OF cam
paign against the members of his party in
Congress. 1t is quite evident that the estrange-
ment between him and them is complete.
and that the whole Democratic Congress cam
paign at present in process of formation will
be organized mainly with the view OF elininat-
ing Bryan and Organism from the party plat
form and purposes In 1904. This is now such
a settled policy among the leaders in Washing
ton that the subject longer is discussed
secretly or in bated breath. but is openly and
boldly talked about by them whenever a group
is assembled in the Capitol cloakroOm or in
hotel lobby.
MOVE AGAINST FORMER LEADER
The turning down Of Representative Griggs.
OF Georgia. for chairman Of the Democratic Con-
gress Campaign Committee at the first meeting
or that organization a week ago was the first
hy-t tba ba
comparative ease with which that act was done.
and he qualification which it has produced in
Democratic circles known to be hostile TO Bryan
in the sense that there Is demand for new
leadership. have emboldened the prime movers
in the enterprise 10 take a still boIder step and
arrange for the management OF the Congress
campaign TO be placed in the hands OF men who
nOtoriously antagOnistic to Mr. Bryan and
the Chicago platform in 1896. The fact that
Griggss election 10 the craftsmanship Of the
committee was prevented only in the nick OF
time by the strong fight against II made by
Senator Dubois. OF Idaho. and Senator Carmack.
OF Tennessee. two OF the youngest and most
promising Democratic members OF the Senate.
both Of whom were ardent Bryan men in the
last two Presidential campaigns. Is regarded as
Of special significance II is pointed out that
such men as these two cannot be accused OF
lukewarmness in the cause Of anti-imperialism
has fought and that since they no longer regard
him as the peerless" the Democratic masses
can he brought TO understand that the time has
arrived when Bryan should be sidetracked for
issues and leadership. Possibly, too.
the Democratic masses can be made 10 under
stand that the old issues of the party are more
vital and popular than the new ones which
Bryan declares TO be paramount, and in this
event il would be easy 10 bring forward candi-
date somewhat in touch with the enlightened
and progressive business element OF the country.
RETURN To CLEvELAND'S IDEAS.
In order to give to this determination to elm
mate Bryan forcible and undeniable expression.
a plan is now maturing to elect Senator Martin.
of Virginia, a robust old line Democrat. chair
man of the Congress Campaign COMMITTEES. with
the understanding that. in compliance with his
wishes. the work of management will be made
as light as possible for him, and to this end the
real management of the campaign be intrusted
to ex- Congressman Gable, OF Illinois While Mr..
Cable did not publicly bolt Bryan in 1895. he
was not enthusiastic for the Nebraskan either
in that campaign the last one. He managed
the Western campaign for Mr.. Cleveland in
1892. when there such a disastrous slump
IN several of the Republican States of that sec
tiOn including Illinois and Wisconsin. and. OF
course. this intimate association with the Cleve-
land wing OF the Democracy renders Mr. Gable
decidedly and profoundly persona non grata to
Bryan and the unCOmprOmiSing Bryanttes.
Aside from Mr.. Cables experience in political
management he is rich-a condition which ap-
peals to all elements Of Democrats. despite the
clamOr and fury they display on the stump and
in Congress every time the word "plutOcrat
rolls resOnantly from their lips. Mr.. Gable ts
OF the largest stockholders OF the chicago
Rock Island and Pacific Railroad. corporation
that Is supposed to exert considerable influence
on the politics Of several Western States Hence
II Is believed bv the Democrats hopeful OF car
ra