Durango semi-weekly herald., 1902-03-20
BRYAN IN THE HOUSE.
Nebraskan Hold, an Informal Recep-
tion at the National Capital.

Nebraskan Hold, an Informal Recep-
ton at the National Capital.
Washington correspondence under
date of March 13, says: William j.
| Bryan was a visitor at the capitol
today. He held reception at the
lhouse and was warmly greeted by
Democrats and Republicans alike.
Indeed. the latter were most
lnoticeably cordial. Although Mr.
Bryan's visit was wholly informal,
as he was merely passing through the
city on his lecture tour, his brief 80
iourn here has given rise to great
deal of interesting discussion. The
most important features are:
/. Mr.. Bryan advises the Democrats
| to make Imperialism the leading issue
in the coming congressional campaign.
2. Mr.. Bryan has not abandoned
hope of being for the third time the
nominee of his party for president.
| AS to the last. this is the impress
sion which the hero of the two lost
battles makes upon his friends. Men
who are in his confidence and his
warm supporters says he will even
he willing to abondon free silver and
run on an anti-imperialist platform.
Most eastern Democrats believe they
have finally disposed of Mr.. Bryan.
but he admirers will not think so.
They predict that he will have a
great deal to say as to who the nomi-
nee shall be.
During his short STAY here Mr.. Bry-
an has tried to put obstacles IN the
! way of the rising influence of Senator
elect German in the party affairs.
Mr.. Bryan does not like Mr.. German.
Next to Hill. the Marylander is the
| man whom the Nebraskan most cor
daily hates. When it was proposed
at one stage of the 1900 campaign to
| make Mr.. German the Democratic
manager Mr.. Bryan vetoed 1t and said
he would rather not be elected than
to owe his election to German. 1t
Is well known that German is prepar-
ing to resume leadership of his par
| ty in congress- where ihe.c is great
need of his services His c-.den.:l,a
as senator were presented today and
he will take his seat next March,
which will give him a year Of control
of the party, so far as the legislative
end is concerned. before the campaign
of 1904 becomes acute. German is
himself ambitious to lead the party,
and a struggle between now and the
spring of 1904 is already on. 1t is
said the Maryland man will not con-
sent to manage the Democratic con-
gressional campaign this year, though
he will be a member of the commit
tee and have great deal to say
about it's operations.
One of the peculiarities Of the situa-
ton is that shrewd Democrats do not
want to capture the house Of repre-
sentatives this year. Mr.. German Is
credited with being among them.
They argue that if the Democrats are
forced to assume the responsibility
for that branch of congress on the
eve of the presidential campaign the
effect will be most unfortunate. Much
surprise has been expressed that the
Democrats were making such little ef-
fort to bring the tariff reform ques-
tion to the front. They do almost
nothing that is designed to take ad-
vantage of the feeling Of unrest that
pervades the West in regard to the
tariff. They overlook the fact that
all the victories the Democrats have
won since the war have been on that
issue.
Instead of trying to take the lead
on tariff reform. for which large sec
tions of the country are ready, they
insist upon talking anti-imperialism
which the country has twice sat down
upon and will probably squelch again
at the first opportunity. One we'll
known Democrat explains this failure
of his party leaders to put their best
} foot foremost at this time. He says
they don't care whether they win this
J year or not They don't want tc
! thrash out the tariff question prema
J turely. But next year they will take
, 1t up and press It with all their force
, BY that time they hope to have the
benef1t Of all dissatisfaction In the Re
publican ranks and all the natural re
action from present and past politica
conditions.