The Lewiston teller. (Lewiston, Idaho) 1900-1905, 1902-04-10
The Elimination OF Bryan.

Nothing in the field Of genera
politics at this time Is more inter
esting or more important than thu
course OF the national democratic
party in its struggles toward reor
gauization. 1t is in the air that
there is to be a new deal all round
that the party is to renource the
'isms" which have brought il to
the brink Of destruction; that it is
to get ON the solid ground Of old.
fashioned principles. But how
these ends are to be brought about
nobody seems to know prec sely,
and, in truth. probably nobody
does know. Large political effects
are commonly the resultant Of in
6uences 50 complex that only in
very exceptional cases is it posi-
BILE to define their course.
The 6rst essential OF democratic
reorganization is the elimination OF
the populistic domination Of which
Mr.. Bryan is the forefront. And
there are indications that important
steps have already been taken to
this end. 1t leaks out that during
his recent visit to Washington the
Nebraskan found the atmosphere
decidedly chilly, and that at every
point In the party councils where
II Vas sought to enforce his infu
ence he met = decided repulse. One
instance was in connection with
democratic policy in the matter OF
election of senator's. Mr.. Bryan,
Il appears, insisted that the joint
resolution calling for a constitu.
tional amendment for the election
Of senators by direct vote be made
. party question. but he was in.
formed in the plainest terms by
German and others Of the leaders
Of the party 10 congress that the
position was undemoeratic in that
Il sought to destroy the destinc-
tive sovereignty Of the states in
the federal senate. and, further
more, It could not be made a party
issue, since II had already the in.
dorsement Of the republican house
and that the movement was much
stronger in republican than demo-
cratic states. This. it is said, was
accepted BY Mr.. Bryan as a direct
rebuke, and Is . result he left for
home In 20 very pleasant frame Of
mind.
Another "lurn. down" even more
signi6cant than the above described
was suffered by Bryan during his
same Washington visit. In connec.
tion with the reorganization Of the
congressional committee which is
70 take charge Of the fall congress
stonal campaign. He very much
desired that the mauag ement Of
the campaign should be given to
James w. Criggs, Of Georgia de.
voted Bryanite. who has for several
years past held the hairmanship
Of the committee. It was q situa.
tiou Of some delicacy. for precedent
and courtesy called for Griggs' re.
election; but the matter has been
gotten round BY naming Griggs tor
the craftsmanship OF the committee
while putting the real power Of ad.
ministTation in the hands OF Ex.
Congressman Ben T. Cable, of III.
inols, under the title OF chairman
of the executive ,mmittee. Cable
would. indeed. have been given
the general chairmauship but for
the fact that. not being at present
. member Of congress. he is not
technically eligible. His position
a the practical head of the com.
mittee comes through the support
Of Senator Cormack, Of Illinois;
Senator Dubois, OF Idaho, and the
younger element generally. acting
u opposition TO those seeking to