The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-09-03
THEY REVOLT AGAINST BRYAN
DEMOCRATS MAY ORGANIZE TO
PREVENT MS NOMINATION.
Southern Democrats Reject His Govern.
ment Ownership TheOrIes-J. sharp
Williams or senator Bailey May Take
Issue with Him In q Public Statement.

movement will be started In the Democratic
party with a view to preventing the NOM
nation OF William Jennings Bryan for the
Presidency two years hence is the belief
Of conservative Democratic politicians who
wers stampeded by Mr.. Bryan's recent
declaration in favor Of government owner
ship OF the railroads in the United States.
From the South comes the sound Of wailing
and crashing Of teeth among the Demo-
cratic brethren over the radtcalism OF the
great conservative force and ii is there
that It is expected will develop a sentiment
antagonistic to placing the Democratic
standard in the next national campaign in
the hands OF the man who 30 wofully
disappointed thousands Of his followers
by his first public utterance after an alb
sence from the country Of about a year.
Democrats are still passing through
Washington on their way home from New
York. They have a hunted look n
dodge the interviewer as they would the
plague. 1t can be said on the best OF
authority that such party leaders as John
Sharp Williams OF Mississippi and Senator
Joseph W. Bailey OF Texas are out OF touch
with MT. Bryan. and il would surprise no
one here il one or the other should soon
come out with a statement taking sharp
issue with the Nebraskan on the subject OF
Governm ent ownership. There is good
reason to believe that Southern leaders
will at an early date get together and de-
eide whether it is good policy to stay with
BRYAN or 20 to the next convention witha
Southern candidate. Steps have already
been taken, it is understood, for the hold
ing Of a conference by those eaters %no
took ID the political cyclone cellar "nen
Bryan's newest issue was disclosed.
John Sharp Williams arrived in New
York the day before Mr.. Bryan delivered
his Homecoming speech. He did not hnger
in the metropolis but started on his way
home. Mr.. Williams had a talk with Mr..
Bryan in London. Bryan then set torth
his public ownership ideas and told Mr..
Williams Of his intentions. Mr.. Willie ms
tried to dissuade him from discussing pubic
ownership az an issue on his return put
Bryan was obdurate. Their 1t was thlt
Mr.. Williams washed his hands OF the -peer-
less leader" 1t Is safe to say that the
| Mississippian believes that a fatal blunder
will be made by the Democratic party II
IL again dominates Mr.. Bryan Tor the
Presidency.
senator Bailey stopped in Washington on
the wav 20 his home in Texas. be didn't
care TO discuss politics. He said, however:
that he might prepare a statement later.
Bailey has no confluence in bryan snd
was opposed to his nomination in levo ana
1900. He has now probably placed the
Nebraskan in the list Of -impossiblee.'
A few weeks ago the Democratic cam
paign IA were Possessed OF a hnger-
ing hope that they would carry the next
House Of Representatives. Despite the
overwhelming Republican majority hey
believed they had a chance: they ex-
pectsd to use Mr.. Bryan TO ADVANTAGE.
A Democrat with a national reputation
said to-day; Mr.. Bryan's speech VIII 9ost
the party thousands Of votes. Instead OF
helping us, il is my opinion that II he goes
on the stump this fall he will prove a trump
card for the Republican,. Bryan IL a
bunker. As a politician he is a failure.
The Democracy Of North Carolina is wildly
enthusiastio for Bryan. He is a popular
dol in the Tar Heel State. But senator
Simmons, the leader Of his party In North
Carolina, and Gov. Glenn are chagrlneo
over the public ownership utterances OF
Mr., Bryan. These two NORTH Sar VorS
where they shouted Themselves hoarse
welcoming Mr.. Bryan back to his native
land. They did not shout at the conclusion
of the Bryan speech, and they are not In a
shouting humor now. Senator summons
said:
.Fdon't think the Democracy Of the South
I will stand for government ownership.
Gov. Glenn agreed with him. Then the
Senator proceeded to make an apology
! for Bryan. He said:
in his Madison Square Garden speech DID
more than to express the opinion that rail-
road rate regulation would prove lnenectual
and that the needed relief could be had only
through Government ownership. He tried
TO make il clear that in this matter he was
not speaking for the party but only, ex-
pressing his individual opinion Further
more. he indicated that his view OF this
J question OF ownership is one which can be
held in allegiance until more pressing ques-
tons are settled and until 1t can be seen
whether Government control and regulation
can be made effectual az a means OF relief
from railroad oppression. -
Il do not believe that Mr.. Bryan will seek
on this question TO control the policy OF the
party or that he will refuse to abide by its
decision. This il a question OF party, policy,
and Mr.. Bryan can yield his individual
opinion without any sacrifice OF principle or
conscience"
Government ownership theories o Glenn
said:
Il 20 as far as Mr.. Bryan or any other
man in favor OF Government control OF rail-
ways, | believe in State regulations also.
But l do not think, unless something In the
future should make 1t necessary by reason
Of the oppression Of the railroads, that the
time will ever come in the United states
when the Government shall absolutely take
possession OF the railroads. Government
ownership would result In one ofthe greatest
monopolies on earth, m the result would
be the perpet uation OF the rule Of the party
in power"
LEADING INDIANA DEMOCRATS PosE TO
BRYAN's
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind, Sept. 2.-Interviews
with leading Democrats OF the State show
that BryanTs proposition for Government
ownership Of railroads does not meet with
commendation, many being actually OPP
posed TO making the question an issue
and others declaring that IL is impracticable
from any point OF view. The majority Benti-
ment seems to be hat the new rate law
will meet and overcome many OF the evils
resulting from railroad domination, but
many Of the older politicians are opposed 70
government ownership from principle and
think the issue in the coming campaign
would weaken the Democratic party.
Mayor Boehne OF Evansville and Col.
C. c. Matson, former Con gresham from
the old Fifth district, are very pronounced
in their opposition to the declared policy
Of Mr.. BRYAN. Col. Matson says that he
is not only opposed to Government owner
ship Of railroads, but to making 1t an issue
in the coming national campaign. He
wants TO see the new rate law tried fairly
and II no relief comes from tha he might
change his views, but as the situation now
is he does not believe thai any party should
advocate Federal ownership.
joseph CraVens, an old Inc Democrat,
declares that Federal ownership OF rail-
roads is a question for the future and not
for the present, and thinks the party would
Doka n miatakA TO inject IL into the cam