The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-05-03

compliment implied in your telegram is very much appreciated but have no am- bition whatever for political offlce, wheth- e. executive or Legislative. Indeed my only ambition. is to serve the people of the State faithfully in the judicial ofice to which they elected me in 1897. I am, very sincerely yours.
 "Aiton B. Parker
 About November 10. 1900 or soon after the election" Mir. Merrill continued. ..Mr. Bryan wrote to me thanking me for what little had done to aid him, and inti- mated strongly that he would not pe A candidate for the Presidency again.
 Naturally. assumed that he would consent to harmony within the party. and that, at least, men who had been loyal to the Democracy in the silver con tests would not incur his enmity.
 "As late as 1908 wrote to him my views on this subject. I told Mfr Bryan plainly that would not be satisfied with Grover Cleveland; but said recalling Cur conversation regarding Parker, that thought the New York Chief Judge was the man upon whom we should unite I asked Mr. Bryan if he had any objection to Parker, because if he did I wished to know it.
 Tn response to that communication Mir. Bryan wrote me as follows:
 "Lincoin, Neb.. May 14, 1903. " MT. J. L. Woods Merrill. Kansas City,
 Mo-:
 My Dear Sir-Yours at hand, I thank you for your words of commendation. am not mentioning the reorganizers by name, except so far as they appear to develop booms. am Investigating Judge Parker. but I think there is no general objection that applies to him. In a fight ot,o l.. cient to have a man who has never said anything against our platform The peo- rle are entitled to a man who Is posi- lively and afirmatively committed to their cause Yours very truly.
 "'w. J. Bryan
 T did not hear anything more from Mfr. Bryan along this line" said Mir Merrill. The first intimation I had that he would oppose Parker came after Cleveland indorsed the New Yorker Simply because of the high compliment Mr. Cleveland had paid to Judge Parker. MT Bryan suiked. kicked over the traces. and now he threatens to disrupt the Dem ocratic party.
 But before Cleveland spoke. not word did Mr. Bryan say either in private, in Ccmmoner derogatory to the Democracy of the New York turist.
 "I am sorry I must part company with Mir. Bryan after a friendship extending over a good many years. like him per- sonaIly. but when he arrogates to him. self authority to drive good Democrats out of the party. then think 1t Is time to call a halt. MT. Bryan is stirring up strife. and when he assalls Judge Parker he simply ties political miilstone around his own neck" In 1900 Mir Merrill was Chairman of the Finance Committee of the Jackson County Democracy. When the conven- ton hall burned at Kansas City he start 1 ed the movement for new one, heading the subscription list with $500. Inside of three hours he had collected $30, He | organized a number of Bryan clubs l throughout the country. and has numer- | Dus letters from Mir. Bryan, MT. Hearst, | Chairman Jones. of the National Demo- | cratic Committee, and others compliment | Ing him on his work. Mir Merrill insists that he is not poli- 1 .ician. He owns a large and profitable | business here. and his fortune Is esti- mated at 500 GOO.