The Washington herald., 1906-11-07
SAYS BRYAN MADE MISTAKE
Senator Tillman Hotly Repudiates
Government Ownership idea.
Doesn't Know, However, but that
Peerless Leader May BE Named
for the Presidency.

Kansas City. Mo. Nov. 6.-'"rhe advo-
cacy Of government ownership Of rail-
roads has not injured William Jennings
Bryan as an honest man, but It has Sc
rlousIy injured him as a wise leader
. ''Pitchfork" Ben Tillman. Senator from
South Carolina. was seated in the private
{ business office Of the Midland Hotel writ
ing letters. when he commenced this SEN
tence. When no finished It he was on
his feet. his arms were extended, and he
was pacing the floor.
Bryan had a golden opportunity" he
hundred. "a gloriousIy golden one. Has
he hurt himself as fearlessly courag ageous
man? Has he? Not for a single blessed
moment But Il must 5e admitted un-
equivocaTy that it was q very serious
mistake OF Judgment"
VIII Bryan be willing 20 forsake that
part Of his creed at the next national
Democratic convention" was asked.
Il love the matchless Nebraskan. I am
more than enthusiastic over him. think
h!m one Sreat man among men. But
and Tillman pointed his finger straigh;
before him, and looked down over his arm
Ike "A maThsmaa over rife barrel. but
II Bryan is not great enough to admit
that lie can blunder. then / say that be
is not great enough TO be President"
Why 90 you and the South object 70
government ownership OF railroads. was
asked
''Why-why," he roared in stentorian
tones, and al Of that lurid passion rising
into his powerfully expressionate face
such as flashes across IL when he Is max
ing q speech on the race question. why.
do you think for ono holy minute that
we want nigger railway officials. niggers
selling us tickets at the depots, niggers
taking our tickets ga the tTalHsZ Wouidn I
q special department have 10 be created
in WashinELOn-a railroad Cabinet post
tOn? Wouldn't railroad employees thcn
have TO vote for the party which gave
Them jobs | don't care 10 20 into IL
further, bur it would create a peruicious
system-a bad rcsult-one that we don't
want, and one that We canno; 20. a sin
gle moment stand FOR
He stopped talking Tor a moment, paced
the floor vigorously, pushed his forever
waving hands into HIS trousers pockets
and said slowly: II has not injured
William Jennings Bryan as an honest
man. but II has seriously injured him as q
wise leader"
''WilI Bryan be nominated?' was asked.
1t Is too hard TO tell yet" he sad.
TOO hard TO tell II is too far away now.
We must get 10 closer range. All sorts
OF things happen. II Is going 10 De a
question as 20 whether the public con-
science IS awakened. 7 am watching the
situation IN Pennsylvania. \ quotation
from that political market may tell Us
how the wind is going 10 blow. There a
great battle Is raging between the wOTs.
kind OF political shame and decency.
Its outcome IS going to say Il whole lot.
II the good people win. then IL means
something for rs. II the bad do-well-it
means the public is net awake 1 don t
know what TO think in that event. can
not say. II viii have an effect. too, upon
the next national Democratic convention.
But don't think for 4 moment that am
saying that Bryan won't BE- nominated.
1 don't know"
DO you think Roosevelt wants Z Re
publican nomination. was asked.
Roosevelt" he said. rs turning over
heaven and earth 10 get Il. He wants the
Republicans % come to him, bow down
and salaam. scrape and crawl and say.
Please, Mr.. Roosevelt. take this nomina-
ton. For heavens sake, save as As
TilIuau said this he acted out his words.
His face showed scorn unspoakable. lie
didn't smile, either. "Ob, but I don't
know" he concluded, locking thoroughly
disguised.