Evening star., 1903-07-16
Mr.. Brvan and Boiling.
The following from the Commoner is o
more than ordinary interest:

The following from the COmmoner is of
more than ordinary interest:
The Iowa democratic convention was
not referred to last week because the edi-
tor Of the Commoner had not secured the
information necessary for an intelligent
discussion of the situation. He is now in
position to say that the convention was
controlled by the reactionary elements of
the party, and that the refusal of the con-
vention to reaftirm the Kansas City plat
form due principally to the influence
eXerted by the representatives of the cor
poratlons. but partly to the neglect on the
part of the friends of the platform.
No wonder the reorganizers were unwilling
to risk one OF their own men on such "a
platform If they had nominated one of
their own kind his candidacy on such a
platform would have aroused widespread
protest. but instead of that they place the
party standard in the hands of Hon. J. b.
Sullivan. one of the ablest and stanchest
of the silver democrats, whose county and
congressional district made a gallant fight
for reaffirmation. Judge Caldwell and the
other nominees were also faithful to the
party in 1896. The democrats of Iowa have
therefore, to choose between a good ticket
on a cowardly platform partly good. and
a republican ticket running on as bad a
platform as could well be conceived What
should they do? Vote for Sullivan and his
associates on the ticket but continue to
fight for Kansas City platform principles.
The real contest will come next year when
national delegates are selected
Many people are curious to know what
Mr.. Bryan will do next year if, in spite of
his opposition the reorganizers capture
the democratic national convention and
write a platform in line with their own
views of public policies. Some are of opin-
ion that he will bolt. and either head
third ticket himself or encourage the nomi-
nation of one. Others predict that he will
grin and bear it, and in a deliverance
carefully prepared advise his friends to fall
into line.
Have we a reply to this speculation in
this comment on the Iowa situation? OBJ
serve. 1t is hardly to be supposed that If
the reorganiZers write the platform they
will rub it in by nominating man for
President who was active in opposition to
Mr.. Bryan in any of his races. We may
rather expect them to name some man who
was regular on both of those occasions,
and who has not encountered Mr.. Bryans
ill-will. Suppose, then, the matter settled
in that way-a platform acceptable to the
Clevelandites, and a candidate acceptable
to the Bryanites.
Does it force the point to imagine Mr..
Bryan advising acceptance in some such
terms as these: THE democrats of the
country have to choose between a good
ticket on a cowardly platform and
publican ticket running on as bad a plat
form as could well be conceived. What
should they do? Vote for the democratic
ticket. but continue to fight for Kansas
City platform principles. The end is not
yet. Nothing is settled until it is settled
right. and by 1uS we should be able by dill
gence to carry the day for the people and
the peoples money.
The Iowa dose was bitter, but Mr. Bryan
able to swallow 1t. This shows his
capacity for that sort of thing. But his
enemies will probably not make next years
dose bitterer than necessary. 1t would be
evidently bad politics to attempt to humil-
late him. His course next year in case of
defeat in convention is still open to ques-
ton. but this Iowa test does not go to en-
courage any talk of a bolt. Mr.. Bryan is
in politics for life. and as he is still a
young man he must have q care about his
walk.