Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-08-06
A BUNCO STEERER.
Bryan <Goes After Cleveland
Hammer and longs.
Assai|s Him Bitterly Throughout His
Speech at U'bana, Ohio.
A Boom for johnson of Cleveland for
Presidency.

Urbana. Ohio, Aug. 5-Colonel Will
liam Jennings Bryan was the attrac-
ton here, today. at the Chautauqua
Assembly. The Democratic convention
of Champaign county, to nominate a
ticket and select delegates to the Dem
ocrat state convention at Columbia
VITO weeks hence, was also held there
today, and Bryan's presence was made
the occasion for a conference of lead
ers. 1t had been announced as the oc-
casion for making the Johnson program
for the state convention, but the in
vitations were not limited to any fac
ton. Among those accepting invita-
tions were Mayor Johnson of Cleve-
land, John l.. Zimmerman of Spring
field, and Former Congressman Lentz
of Columbus.
While the visitors addressed the con-
vention the principal work was done
in private conference. Johnson is
recognized as candidate for the next
democratic candidate for President and
all the movements for the governor
ship or for the senatorship this year
are considered preliminary to the ma
tioflal contest next year. 1t is stated
present Johnson's name to the conven-
ton for governor and if Johnson I'M
Nominated, that Lentz will be endorsed
for senator. John II. Clarke of Cleve-
land, has also been mentioned for SEN
atorial endorsement, but neither he or
his friends are here.
The business of the Champaign con-
vention was soon disposed OF. c. E.
Buroker, George Ropp, James F..
Hearnand and Frank c. Gaumer were
selected as delegates to the state con-
vention. They are for Zimmerman for
governor
There We're demonstrations when the
resolutions were read and adopted. en-
dorsing both the Chicago and Kansas
City platforms and expressing contin-
ued confidence in Bryan.
Col. Bryan began speaking later. Col.
Bryan congratulated the convention on
it's harmony and denied that he was dis
turber as charged by some who disturbed
the party for years. He said the trouble
with the Democratic party began in 1892.
when a "bunco steerer'' led the party into
the net of Wall street just as confidence
men work individually. He insisted THAT
the same "bunco steering could not he
repeated and that thoses who had not
been loyal could not resume leadership
until after they became at least repent
ant The money question was not para
mount, today. but plutocracy was seek
ing to control the party forl all its pur-
poses.
Mayor johnson entered as Col. Bryan
was speaking and the speaker stopped to
shake hands with him while the audience
vas cheering. Col. Bryan continued the
discussion of issues for an hour. when he
was followed by John l.. Zimmerman, eX-
Congressman John j. Lentz and Mayor
Tom l.. Johnson.
The addresses made attracted attention
because of the direct references to GER
tain men as well as to policies on which
there are differences within the party.
Bryan referred to eX-President Cleveland
repeatedly.
Mr. Zimmerman referred to the fathers
of Democracy and the eternal principles
of party. Then came Mayor Johnson ant
ex-Congres sman LentZ. in emphatic dec
laraton that there was no time for ''deat
issues" The 'keynotes" of the last tive
speakers were not in accord with Mr.
Zimmerman.
Mr.. Bryan received his greatest ovatio,
when he said. The Democrats in 1879
played Il confidence game on the peopl,
and put Il hunco steercr at the head o
the party. want to say to you, my
friends. that the disreputabe man wht
stands on the street curbing and lead!
the unwary traveller into a game wher
ne loses his money, is respectable com
pared with the man who accepts the SUI
frages of 5000. 600 of people and then lead
them into Wall street to be betrayed.
Don't be deceived when they tell 20
1t was the silver question that drove tn
people out of the party
Those who left the Democratic part
are divided into two clasSes-those VIII
left because they understood the issu
in the campaign. and those who left bt
cause they were deceived in the issue c
the campaign. Those who understood tn
issue and left because they understood
can never return to the party until the
repent and show that their hearts an
Sympathies are changed The fight wi
continue in this country until one sid
or the other is triumphant"