The Washington times., 1908-09-18
New York Thinks Less Evil
of NebraSkan Than 1t Did
in 1896 and 1900.
MUCH PREJUDICE
YET TO BE OVERCOME
Writer Expresses Doubt as to Com
moner's Ability to Get Empire
States Electoral Vote.
By J. c. WELLIVER.

NEW YORK. Sept. IS.-Chairmar
Hitchcock, of the Republican National
Committee, who went to Chicago the
last Of last week, to find Bryan scare
of worrisome proportions in the middle
West, got back 10 New York TO dis
cover that Mr.. Bryan on his trip East
has imported that Western commodity
with him, ard given IL considerable cir
culation in the coast States.
The seasoned politicians don't permit
themselves TO be so much agitated over
the Bryan incursiOn, because they well
remember that the Nebrasllan has al
ways drawn listeners better than vot-
ers. They discount literally the evil
denCe. furnished by his big audience
that there is a serious movement in
the East toward Mr.. Bryan. But while
they may do this, they recognize that
the situation is uncomfortable because
Cf the tendency Of people to follow the
example Of sheep, and when they see or
think they see a movement in one di-
rection, to join it without thinking The
bandwason vote is set down by the
trained campaign managers as a very
big and important one, and they are
concerned over it this year.
In a few days. Mr. Taft will hit the
road" for his big stumpinE swing. The
first week Of that tour will be watched
with the closest scrutiny by the Re
publican managers.
Some Had Objections.
Report is that some Of them did not
give ready approval TO the idea Of Mr..
Taft taking the stump. They were not
certain whether he would prove effec-
tive before the people. and they realized
that he had to compete for the popular
Judgment against a man who. with
splendid talents and long experience, Is
this year doing such stumping as never
before. II is no disparagement Of Mr..
Taft that he might not De such a
stumper as his opponent.
And this brings Up the question about
the new Bryan" concerning whom the
student Of the campaign hears from all
sides. The writer heard Mr. Bryan
speak from the stump in 1890. when he
was running for Congress the first time
and has heard him III almost every year
since The Bryan of 1890 was an eIo-
QUent youth wonderfully apt in the
marshaling and presentation of a neces-
saTily somewhat limited knowledge OF
issues and affairs The Bryan of 1896
was fiery, eloquent. possessed Of firm
conviction that he bore a message OF
emancipation, inspired by a confidence
in his star and destiny that made him a
zealot
Gathering Force.
BY 1900, with one defeat behind him.
enlisted for what lie now believed to
be a long war rather than a brilliant
campaign, with assured victory ahead.
ne had become the irreconcilable. lie
forced reiteratiOn Of the free silver
Compromise was q word whose meaning
he did not know He early found the
campaigns drift against him, and then
Tor the first time became the bitter and
cynical he lost his temper and made
unfortunate speeches. marked by bitter
ness and venom.
Four years more and the matured
Bryan appeared at st. Louis. great In
defeat he saw his faction in the mi
n1rity, his progress di5OWned, his lead
ership repUdiaTed: yet in that hour Of
defeat he rose ma gnlhCenly. made the
great nlght-sessiOn speech which COun-
srleG sense and sanity. and saved the
party. In all probability, from the rocks.
That was the beginning of Jhe new
Bryan There Bryan established the
claim on the Old-style leaders Of his
party, which this year has been paid
in repeated and many times utterly I'm
expected assurances that they are at
Il st ready to support him.
Another Quadriennium has passed. and
the Bryan of 1905 appears at last able