Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1903-03-21
BRYAN's ATTACK ON GORMAN

Democrats who read Mr.. w. }.
Bryan's attack on Senator German in
Yesterdays Gazette were surprised tC
see him display an utter lack of gratitude
for Mr.. Gorman's part in the two presl-
Dental campaigns in which the Nebraskan
was a candidate.
In 1896 and again in 1900 the demo
cratic party in Marylapd was confronted
by difficulties and the local managers
were absolutely without financial aid
or sources of supply Of cash. In both
campaigns Mr.. German bore the burden
of expense. Especially was this the
case in 1900, when his individual check
aggregated several thousand dollars.
When Mr.. Bryan visited Baltimore
during the last presidential campaign
Mr.. German attended the meeting AT
Music Hall, at Which Mr.. Bryan was
the chief speaker After the meeting
the two gentlemen adjourned to the
Hotel Rennert, where they were in close
conference for two hours, and where Mr..
German offered any assistance within
his power to help the cause. The
MARYLAND leader would have taken
more prominent part in the campaign in
its early stage, but he was not invited
and hints were thrown out by men close
to Mr.. Bryan that the Marylander's
activity, and especially his management
of the Eastern campaign, as was sug-
gested, would not be appreciated. Dur
ing the closing weeks of the contest Mr..
Gorman's health was such that his physi-
sian forbade an active part in the can
vass.
Mr.. German friends say that he con-
tributed literally to Mr. Bryan campaign
fund when he sought an election to the
U. S. Senate from Nebraska. He was
defeated by Mr.. Thurston. Mr.. German
on that occasion, as well as during the
campaigns of 1896 and 1900, asked his
friends to aid Mr.. Bryan, request to
which they most literally responded.
One portion of Mr.. Bryans statement
relative to Mr.. German recalls bit Of
unpublished history. 1t is the charge
that Mr.. German was instrumental in
emasculating the Wilson tariff bill, an
alleged act which gave rise to President
Cleveland's famous "treason' and pelf'
letter. Mr.. GOlnan remained silent un-
der the charges because hadhe explained
his attitude on the Wilson bill he would
most probably have brought aboutasepa-
ration between Mr.. Cleveland and his
secretary of the treasury, Mr.. Carlisle
1t was a common rumOr in Washington
when the Wilson bill passed the House
that the Treasury Department had not
been consulted by its authors withayie
to ascertaining if twould yield sufficient
revenue to support thegOvernment with.
out resort to bondissue. When the bill
was taken up for discussion in the Senate
the important information came from the
Treasury Department thata deficit IN the
government revenues so serious as to
renders bond issue imperative would FOL
low an enactment of the schedules.
To avoid such a party disaster Mr.
German and his democratic colleagues
undertook a re.lsiOn of the bills with
view to avoiding the threatened deficit.
As careful as they were they did not avoid
the rock. The bill as finally enacted
did not produce enough revenue to
meet the governments needs and bond
issue followed.
Mr.. German suffered the calumny
that was heaped upon him rather than
bring about serious break in Mr..
Cleveland's cabinet. He said some
thing on the floor of the Senate which
did not please Mr. Cleveland. The
speech was provoked by some unkind
things which Mr.. Cleyeland's friends in
Washington and in Baltimore had said
about Mr.. German. When Mr. Cor
man was seeking reelection to the
Senate in 1897, and when the burden of
his campaign rested entirely upon his
shoulders, his friends sought Mr.. Cleve-
lands aid. 1t is said that Mr.. Cor
mans motives in amending the Wilson
bill were conveyed to the former presi-
dent, but he declined to say a word in
his behalf, though precedent for such
action had been established by Mr..
Cleveland himself in going to the aid of
Mr.. John r. Fellows, who was can
didate for district attorney in New
York.