New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-01-28
SILVER SECONDARY NOW.
BRYAN'S PRESENT CREED.
Paramount Question Is "Whether
Money Changers Shall Rule."


William J. Bryan. who leaves town to-day
for Burlington. N. J., where he will speak to-
night. replied last evening to the battering
which the gold Democratic newspapers Of this
city have been giving him.. and declared that
free silver now is a secondary issue.
The declaration by Mr.. Bryan was prompted
by the following question:
Mr.. Bryan. Jobr Sharp Williams the leader
Of the minority in the House OF Representa-
tives, says that free silver is dead In your
speech last night you said It not. Who is
the leader of the Democratic party?"
Joseph Pulitzer and ST. Clair McKelway are
the two leaders OF the organization. judging
from the space they use in their respective pa
pers to exploit their views" replied Mr.. Bryan
Then you do not pretend 10 he the LEADER
Il only know of one man who implicitly fol-
lows William J. Bryan" said the Nebraskan-
And he lives in Lincoln?' it wac suggested.
And his name is William ]. Bryan smiling
ly replied the ex-candidate.
You said last night that the trusts con-
tributed $2OOOOOO 70 the Democratic campaign
fund in 1892. for New-York State and Indiana
alone. and that one trust gave $4,000 What
trust tt?'
Il can name It whenever IT seems TO be proper
to do So" said Mr.. Bryan.
How much did the Silver Trust. or the silver
paign fund in 1896? Was II not in the neigh
borhood of 100000?
Il never heard OF the Silver Trust before"
said Mr.. Bryan.
Isn't it a fact that the silver mine ovne-,
were contributing literally TO the Democrats
campaign fund up till October OF that year
and then suddenly stopped giving?'
Il do not know of any suck financial trans
action" replied Mr.. Bryan.
What. in your judgment. IS the paramount
issue of the coming campaign from the Demo-
cratic point OF view?'
1T Is" said Mr Bryan slowly and deliberate
~ whether or not the money changers shall
rule this country. l have believed ever since
1900 that It is no longer a question Of mere
gold liver. It is the larger question Of
whether he money changers shall rule the
country The silver question Is not OF para
mount Importance now. nor Is that OF labor or
trusts. II is the larger question that 1 have
named that includes them all. Whether
measure is proposed for the benefit of labor.
for the destruction of the trusts. what not.
IT be for the benefit OF the people. it is OPP
posed by Wall Street What is the use OF a
party lighting trusts when the bankers in Wall
Street sit with their vaults full of watered stock
and contribute to the campaign fund? Or what
Is the use of espousing the cause OF labor when
It's enemies sit high In the councils of the
party"
Asked TO comment on the declaration by John
Sharp Williams leader Of the Democratic
minority IN the House Of Representatives, Mr..
Bryan said:
Mr. Williams has right TO express his opin-
Ion. I carnot comment on all the remarks of all
who take issue with me-"
Mr.. Bryan took luncheon yesterday at the
Bread Trade Club with Melvin c. Palliser.
Henry George. ex-senator Charles A. Towne.
Charles OConor Hennessey, DR.. John II. Grid
ner John W. Cox and others. Last night he
dined with Henry George at the home of the
latter. in st. Nicholas-ave He invited TO
Clellan, but stayed away. Colonel McClellan's
friends felt a little nettled about 1t, inasmuch
the Mayor called on Colonel Bryan on his
the fact that Charles T. Murphy Is against him.
and he is not putting himself out TO honor Mr..
Murphy's particular friends. Mr. Bryan Will go
to-day to Burlington. n. j., where he will
lecture on THE Value of an Ideal" Tomorrow
he will go to York Penn, where he will be the
feated for Governor on the Democratic ticket.
On Saturday he will go to Washington to attend
the dinner OF the Gridiron Club. at which he
may pay his respects to Congressman Williams.
He is expected in Florida at early day to
sist his cousin, Governor Jennings. who is fight
ing to control the primaries which will de-
termine who is to succeed United States Sem
date against the Senator. and represents the
radicals. Mr.. Bryan probably will make several
speeches in Florida