The Washington times., 1904-07-06
WILLIAM ]. BRYAN
FOUR YEARS AFTER
Master in 1900 a Sorry
Figure Now.
NO THREATS OF DISCIPLINE
Convention Not Taking His Orders This
Time-Delegates Listen
and Walk Away.

ST. LOUIS, July 6.-Now that the
Democrats Of the nation have assembled
IN a history convention. il IS Of
interest to turn back and compare the
situation in which Col William J. Bryan
finds himself with that in which ne was
the central figure In 1900
-Four years ago the Democratic Ma
tional convention met in its first session
at kanIas City on July T. The day had
oeen selected because Of its patriotic
significance. 1t had been arranged that
the Declaration Of independence was to
De read in the convention hail and that
the platform should make anew d pres
entation Of the principles Of human IiD-
erty.
Cloud Over All.
At that convention there were many
men of Importance in the nation but
over them there was cloud. That cloud
was Organism, and when they moved b
the convention city they knew that VIVA,
IhtE were to go for was to ratify the
VIII OF the man who had led them 10 de
ItdJ four years before.
mat man was the same Col William
J. Bryan who Is in this CITY now. Then
ne dld not feel il necessary 90 come
70 the convention city. His c0utr0.
Oh the party machinery was absolute
power were his adncrents. They were
o. me ground 10 see that the program
ne mad written should be put through.
Political Dictator.
So complete was Bryan's mastery Of
the party that he could sit in the shade
Of his home in Lincoln. Neb.. and die
tate over the telephone and the teIe-
graph wires what should be done in the
convention nall lie had said what the
platform should be. He had said who
should be nominated lie mad ordered
what should be done, ana what should
be left Undour
II any man believed that what he had
ordered was not in the best interests of
the party. that man was PRIVILEGED 10
take the train for Nebraska and cali al
the home of the master of the party
and in humble words and with uleadiuz
voice beg that the error be laid aside.
ana having laid his message Mt the
icet Of the master OF the party, the pill
grim TO Lincoln was privileged to take
the train back TO Kansas City and there
Wa'cn the Bryan machine roll on, uu-
leedJng, scornfuI absolute. and with
out effective opposition.
Timers Ignored.
EIany a man whose services to the
party should have gained for him a re-
spectful hearing begged that the specific
declaration for the free coinage OF sill
and his pledGiugs We're Uuhe8Td or
laughed at. Many a man who thought
that with a new candidate the party
might put itself into shape To enter
upon the campaign with good chances
Of success went to Lincoln to plead
with the master not TO plunge his po-
ltIcal associates into ruin merely that
his own vanity might Doe tiCkied, that
ni- own whiWs and his own fancIez
might he carried out
For each Of these men there was the
sucer of the man who was ruler and
knew his power. Bryan dominated tn
convention Of 1900 as completely Is
Roosevelt dominated the Republican
convention or last month in Chicago.
But there was @ difference. Roosevelt
had won something for his party, not
the Office that he held, but other Offices
He was not known far and wide as Jle
one man iu the nation whose nomination
meant the success OF the party's Oppo
ncuts.
BRYAN was. but without needing the
think Of the millions of voters who had
supported him Loyalty, and now wanted
/ a chance 20 win. he crammci down tho
Threats Of every individual who opposed
him his absolute and complete mast cry.
and told them that he was the Demo-
cratic party. and that they would Oppose
him and hrs policies az their peril.
Bryan in Control.
Bryan was "a great force in Democratic
politics then Tie ran that convention
!, ne wrote the platform; he named the
uomirccs-and his party went 20 defeat
under him.
since rEar thor. has Brru Il change