Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-10-21
Mr.. Bryan in His Home State.

| Among the recent visitors at Port
| land, Maine, was Mr.. Edgar l.. Means
of Orleans. Nebraska. native OF
| Millbridge in this State and gradu-
ate of Bowdoin College in the class
of 81. Mr.. Means is one of the rising
young men of the West. an energetic
business man who enjoys the conf
dence and esteem of all who know
| him. In discussing the political situa-
| ton in Nebraska with Press reporter
Mr. Means expressed the opinion that
Mr. Bryan cannot carry his own state.
He said that the farmers there were
well satisfied with present conditions
and that having observed the course
in the past of theories similar to those
advanced by Mr.. Bryan as they have
worked out in practice under Demo-
cratic rule, they are convinced that
they are not the policies that are
likely to lead to continued prosperity.
Mr. Means declared that the Bryan
scheme for the guarantee of bank de-
posits was losing friends for the Bryan
cause everywhere as it became better
understood He illustrated this fact
by two practical instances which
recently occurred. He said, in speak
ing of this matter:
"A short time ago, Nj. Il. Barlow,
president of the United States Ma
tional bank Of Omaha. was in Okla
homa, and while there had talk with
Senator Owens of that state concern
ing it's banking law. The law requires
the banks to pay in an amount equal
to one per cent of their capital to the
guaranty fund. Mr. Barlow asked the
senator what would happen if the fund
was exhausted. He asked if, in that
case, the banks would be required to
increase their contributions to the
fund. Senator Owens replied that any
further contribution if made would be
purely voluntary on the part of the
banks. When Mr. Barlow thereupon
made the point that the Oklahoma law
did not provide a guarantee, but IN
effect established a form of insurance
which might or might not prove
sufficient to meet possible losses
Senator Owens was forced to admit
that such was the case.
1T was in one OF the leading banks
of Omaha" said Mr.. Means. that an
explanation of the practical working
of the proposed guaranty system re-
suited in the conversion of a farmer
who had been taken with the idea.
He came in to make a deposit and
asked the teller if the bank favored
the guaranty plan. The teller referred
the farmer to the president. who
spoke briefly but to the point He
said that the bank had been in bust
ness for 80 years and over and had al
ways paid dollar for dollar. 1t had a
handsome surplus in addition to Its
capital
It's stockholders were by law sub
jected to double liability in case OF
disaster Now said the president to
the farmer, do you want this bank
with your money in it made liable for
losses incurred by New York banking
institutions and brought about by the
operations of Wall street men who
caused the panic last fall?' The
farmer replied that he had never
thought of it in that light. Then he
went out and deposited his money.
He said that he had not before under
stood very clearly what the bank
guaranty scheme was, but he had
found out and he wanted no more OF
it"
The same considerations that are
having weight with the thoughtful
citizens of Nebraska. are having equal
weight with similar citizens all over
the Union and as the contest for the
presidency approaches election day it
is becoming more and more evident
that Mr. Bryan is doomed to d third
defeat no less decisive than the two
he has met with in past campaigns.