Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-02-16
BRYAN. vardaman and williams.

= Gov. Vardaman having declined joint
debate with John Sharp Williams on the
subject of government ownership and OPP
Grafton of railroads. the latter, in reply
of some length, says:
"Gov. vardaman says that Mr.. Bryan
would not stand upon a democratic plat
form promulgated by convention. or the
committee on resolutions. Which Voteo
down the proposition of federal ownership
of railroads. / do not think the unkindest
enemy of Mr. Bryan in all the world could
have said of him more unjust thing. 1
do not believe that Mr.. Bryan Is setting
himself up as the master, instead of the
servant, of the democracy. At Memphis.
New Orleans and Jackson he said that he
was merely expressing his own oplnion'
that he did not make democratic plat
forms. and that, upon that question, as
convention would speak.
Here is a very pretty question. which
Mr.. Bryan himself could settle in half
dozen words. But maybe he will leave 1t
OPEN Why settle 1t now? Why remove
from the field of discussion topic which
for eighteen months should prove of so
much value to writers and so much inter-
est to readers? Both as writer and as
political leader he probably knows the
value of such things. Don't decide too
much at one time, and nothing prema-
turely," was the advice the old judge gave
to the young judge.
So far as these two Mississippi statesmen
are concerned 1t is not necessary for Mr.
Bryan to speak further at this time. They
may differ widely as to where he stands
but both are committed to him whatever
the developments may be. If the next
democratic national convention rejects
ownership of railroads and Mr.. Bryan
yields and runs on the platform, Gov
Vardaman regardless of his present views,
will support him. On the other hand, II
Mr. Bryan's influence Is sufficient to force
such a plank into the platform and is the
candidate, Mr.. Williams will support him.
With a dead sure thing en- both men, why
should Mr.. Bryan concern himself about
their controversy?
But the refusal of Gov. Vardaman to de-
bate the question with his rival for the
senatorial nomination need not remove 1t
from the Mississippi primary Mr. Will
liams should keep it to the fore. In his
deliverance he restricts himself too much.
He lays too great stress on the Jim Crow
car feature. That may have-a strong local
effect, but the question is so large and
Mississippi is so much interested in all OF 1t,
he should deal with it in its complete form
and Specification. His long service in
Congress has enlarged his views and made
him a. speaker of power when national
topics are up. At any rate, il Mr.. Bryan
succeeds in writing his latest policy into his
party's program the discussion before the
country in the presidential campaign must
be upon the lines of national value, and
not upon those applying to local social
conditions in any state or coterie Of states.
Meanwhile the Mississippi primary Is six
months distant, and the reported Vardaman
lead may not continue. After the 4th of
March Mr.. Williams will be able to devote
his whole time to his canvass. and as he Is
an old hand at the bellows his activity face
to face with the voters should count.