The French Broad hustler. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1896-1912, 1906-07-12
he feel and tell the truth about one anoth-

The resolution offered by Mr.. A. L
Brooks, solicitor of this district, to en-.
ooIse Bryan as the presidential candidate
l9O8, and presenting Bryan as his run.
ming mate, precipitated what at one time
promised to be lively fight, but as there
were less than twenty-five delegates pres
ent who. opposed it, the resolutions were
adopted with only 81 1-2 votes against it..
cast by very few men, most of the votes
against it being cast by men who had sew
erai votes, one man alone casting ten votes
from his codnty against 1t. When it was
read, CONGRESSMAN Ed Pou moved that the
rules be suspended and the resolution
adopted. Mr.. w. H. Powell, of Edge
comDe, raised the first voice against its pas
sage, saying he was a Bryan man but
olt MT believe in making contract two
years ahead of time. During the course
OF the debate Mr.. E. F. AydIett, (who op--
posed consideration only because he said
thought it was premature to discuss presl-
Dental candidates two years in advance)
understood Mr.. Brooks to say the resolu-
ton merely expressed our high opinion of
Mr Bryan as man and not as a candidate
and would therefore withdraw opposition
with that understanding. Then was the
most thrilling events of the session. The
bryan men wanted no meaningless resolu-
tlons, and several arose to say that if the
Brooks resolutions did not endorse BRYAN
for president in 1908. they should be
amended to that effect. Suddenly IN the
corner of the rear gallery, Mr.. w. w.
Kltchin arose. lie was soon recognized
and for five minutes he spoke with the
same sort of eloquence with which he
spoke in the 1902 convention when he car
ried it by storm. Every sentence was
punctured by applause. He wanted the
resolution to declare for Bryan for presi-
dent and would accept nothing less, He
would moi. agree for Mr.. Aydlett to with
draw his opposition upon the ground that
The resolutions did not mean we wanted
Bryan for president in 1908, and he offered |
An amendment that the convention declare |
tself unequiVOcally to that effect To the |
same effect spoke Ed Pou and V. S. Bry-
lnt and Locke Craig and A L. Brooks,
Z. j. Justice and Others and eloquentIy de- |
'lared their determination to endorse Bry-
IN for president, Mr.. Pou, who was on the |
platform shaped up an amendment in ac-
,ordauce with the speeches which MIR.
Brooks incOrnorotod IN b;s roaol,,+;o., 80
lpon roll-call vote, they were adopted |
With only 81 IL votes in the convention |
lgainst them, and most of the men who |
voted that way too pains to say that they
avored Bryan, but thought any declara-
ion this year was premature.
Every state convention that has met this |
'ear has declared for Bryan. AS Will
kitchin said: "You cannot declare too
ften for Bryan" If the North Carolina
onvention had not passed the resolution,
would have been construed that the first
tate that favored him in 1896 was not
ealous for him now that the whole coun-
ry was turning to him. 1t would have
cen fine if every delegate had favored act
ng now and had voted for the resolutions,
ut those who favored them opposed any
utting off debate and stood for. the roll
all so that every delegate could record his
7ote as he pleased. That's what l like
bout democratic conventions. The dele
ates disagree and talk it out, but no min
rity is denied the right to be heard and to
ave its position made plain. But it was
lear that the convention was overwhelm-
for Bryan and Aycock, and the peo-
lie at home are even stronger for them
han the vote here would indicate.
J.D.