The Washington times., 1908-12-31
Commoner Likely to Lose
First Try at Constructive
+ Legislation.
LARGE FACTION
IS AGAINST HIM
Financiers Who Favor Deferred
Guaranty Appear in Con-
troll of Party.

LINCOLN. Neb.. Dec. Sl.-The vic
torious Democratic party Of this state
s. torn with disscnsiOn already and on
tho verge Of serious rupture, IL is gen
orally believed. and William J. Bryan
IS struggling 10 maintain a leadership
which is believed TO he slipping from
him. The State committee is divided
into two factions one ruled by Bryan
and the other rapidly becoming anti
Bryan. Governor-eIect ShaIlenberger
with the Senatorial bee bUzzing in his
ear is expected to train with the antis
and do everything in his power TO pre-
vent the Commoucr from securing the
glory that accompanies successful leg
jEation.
Just nov. the fight is for the control
Of the two houses OF the Legislature,
and it looks as though the Bryan
forces had been routed The Democratic
bankers of the State have effected
strong organization and they hope TO
50 amend the Bryan plan of bank guar
anty that II Will be Of little force They
ere insisting. on the plan Of deferred
payment Of claims against failed bank
and Mr.. Bryan has declared this fatal
10 the plan.
Bankers in Control
The bankers appear to have the or
hope thereby 10 control the makeup
OF the committees. which amounts to
control Of legislation. Bryau's friends
have started demand that the COM
nittees be chosen by the members Of
each house. but this plan is bitterly
opposed
on the State central committee, Chair
man r. :. Allen. brCther-in-law Of Mr.
-rT TTrr-e..f &c.
stanch Bryan men. while Secretarv
Chris Gruenther belongs To- the autiS ana
IS the closest adviser Of Governor Shal-
cl.berEer- Vice Chairman Arthur MuI-
len failed to get the appointment as
private secretary TO the EOvCHnOT. which
be desired and IS undecided as to which
camp he will cast his lot
Il is generally regarded here that
immediate payment provision in the
bank guaranty law which is to be
passed viii be a decisive defeat for him
and fl is thought ii viii give his na-
tional leadership 4 decided Jolt such as
three defeats for the Presidency have
not brought him He has appeared as
strong with the national party IL defeat
rs though he were the victor But, 10
he thrown down by his party here al
nome, party which was supposed TO
be in every way suhseTvient to his
wishes, VIII lose him great prestige al
home and abroad
For Immediate Payment
lie is insisting that the bank guar
snty law must provide for tie iume-
Giate payment Of losses OF q failed bank
The main excuse for such a law, his
friends argue. is 90 prevent runs on
banks, and these Will not be eliminated
under plan where the depOSiIO- VIII
get his money only after the affairs
or the failed bank have been fully
adjudiCated. The GepOsitOr wants his
money and he viii join in a run any
time where he thinks his bank Is weak.
lie viii do this as quickly under the
deferred payment plan as under the
present system. Mr. Bryan argues But
tf the dcpOsitOT knows to "A certainty
that he can get his money the next cav
homo and attend TO his business and
there viii be no runs.
Neither Democrats nor Republicans
here are accepting as genuine any talk
that Mr. Bryan intends 20 keen his
hands entirely off the legislature this
winter Every politician IN the State
Iea ilZcS thdl ne has too much at stake
TO remain idle and see the Legislature
fall TO redeem the pledges which he
made 10 the people
10 IS the first time I'm his history that
MI Bryan has an opportunity TO be a
Cor StTucuNS statesman. Heretofore he
has been IN the theoretical class. md
Ing fault with Republican legislation and
IlcJurlnC the benefits that would fol-
low Democratic success Now. he has
chance TO be practical If ne can con-
I9l his party in the state. Under these
Conditions, il is deemed the next tbin0
70 impossible for Mr.. Bryan to avoid
the fight which has been thrust llpon
him.