Los Angeles herald., 1908-07-18
BRYAN AND KERN
ASK FARMERS TO
SEND DONATIONS
CALL FOR CAMPAIGN FUNDS IS
ISSUED
FIRST CONTRIBUTOR A RANcHER
BORN IN SWEDEN
Great Nebraska Leader Explains Atti-
tude on Brownsville Affalr-Re=
celves Large Labor Dele.
cation at Homo
Ry Associated Press.

By Associated Press
.FAIRVIEW, LINCOLN, Neb., July
17.--The first appeal for campaign con-
tributions by the Democratic candi-
dates for president and vice president
was made today in a formal message
directed to the farmers of the country
Messrs. Bryan and Kern urged them to
contribute according to their means ana
in other ways assist in restoring Demo-
cracy to power. The appeal is as fol-
lows:
ITO the Farmers of the United States:
The first contribution made to the
Democratic campaign fund this year.
so far as we know, was made by an
Iowa farmer. Just before the Denver
convention met this man, who modestly
prefers not to have his name men
toned, iourneyed more than 100 miles
to Lincoln with his contribution of 500
which he left with Mr.. Bryan to be
given to the committee when organ
lied for the campaign.
This farmer was born in Sweden and
for some time after he was naturalized
was a member of the Republican party.
But he was a student of public ques-
tions and in the course of time became
Democrat. To manifest his deep in
terest in the success of the party and
in triumph of Democratic principles he
made this free will offering to the
campaign fund.
Hope of the Farmer
"It is very appropriate that the first
donation should come from that great
body of our. population known as agrl-
curlists. The farmer has nothing to
gain by privilege and favoritism; his
hope is in the application of the doc
trine of equal rights to all and special
privileges to none
"He has been the victim of all spec
ial legislation and has suffered from
the control of politics by the great
predatory corporations.
"Now that the Democratic party mas
announced it's determination not to
accept contributions from corporations;
not to accept excessive contributions
even from individuals, and TO publish
all contributions above reasonable
minimum, 1t ought to be able to secure
sufficient campaign fund from those
/ patriotic citizens who ask from the
government nothing but protection to
their rights and consideration for the
general welfare. As
sThere are hundreds of thousands of
farmers who are abundantly able TO
contribute to the campaign fund.
There are thousands who could give
| 800 apiece without feeling it; there are
fens Of thousands who could give $50
apiece without sacrifice, and still more
who could give $25 or $40 or s..
Commoner VIII Appeal
GAS the national committee has not
yet been organized we will ask the
CoInmoner to call for subscriptions TO
this farmers fund. Those giving may
indicate whether they are willing to
have their names mentioned, and If the
contribution is not more than $lO0
their wishes will be complied with. All
contributions above $100 must be made
known, no matter from whom they
come.
"The farmers fund will be turned
| over to the national committee as soon
as it's permanent officers have been Sc
| lected
"Who will be the first to respond?
''The Denver convention was peo-
pies convention it adopted strong,
clear, honest platform, and its nomi-
nations were made with practical
unanimity.
"Our fight is a fight for the whole
people. Our aim is equal and exact
| Justice to all; our purpose is to restore
the government to the hands or freely
chosen representatives of the voters.
"How many farmers will join in fur-
nishing the funds necessary to present
| the issues?
(Signed) "WILLIAM J. BRYAN,
| "JOHN w. KERN"
Following his declaration Of yester-
day to the Baltimore Sun that he had
not discussed the Brownsville affair or
the question of the appointment OF
negroes to office. Mr.. Bryan announced
today that he did not wish to be mis-
understood
He said he did not mean to convey
the impression he had never talked
about the Brownsville case in any man
ner, but that he had not discussed 1t as
an issue in the present campaign.
He read an editorial written by him
two years ago, in which he made the
frank assertion that if the facts We're
as stated, President Roosevelt was
fully justified in his course.
Visitors to the Bryan home were less
numerous than on yesterday. The prin-
cipal caller was John e. Lamb of In
diana.
Tonight Mr.. Bryan received at his
home a large delegation from the local
central labor union.