The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1908-07-17

president There had been a free field
with a strong preference for Gray
When his friends showed a letter posi-.
lively refusing to stand for either
nomination, the balloting began with
John W. Kern of Indiana in the lead
Soon the other candidates withdrew
and the nomination of Kern was made
by reclamation. Kern shares with
Bryan the distinction Of having made
two losing races for high Office, Kern's
aim being the Indiana governorship.
The Indiana man Is an out and out
radical who worked for Bryan on the
free silver platform.
No Second Term For Bryan.
The following statement was made by
William j. Bryan when he received
announcement Of his nomination as the
candidate Of the Democratic party for
president:
The honor Is the highest official possess
sion In the world, and no one occupying
1t can afford to have his views upon pub
lie questions biased by personal ambition.
recognizing his responsibility to God and
should enter upon the discharge Of his
duties with singleness of purpose. Be-
lieving that one can best do this when he
Is not planning for a second term, an
nounce now. as I have on former occa-
sions. that. If elected. I shall not be a
candidate for reelection. This is a nomi-
nation as purely from the people as can
be. and II elected my obligation will be
as purely to the people. l appreciate the
honor the more because II came not from
one person or a few persons. but from the
rank and file acting freely and without
compulsion.
After he had heard of the adoption
Of the platform Mr.. Bryan said:
! am very much pleased with the plat
form. 1t Is clear specific and strong. and
! am grateful to the committee for the
work that they have done in stating the
issues. I am sure the platform will great
ly strengthen us in the fight we are en-
tering.
Watson Accepts Nomination.
Thomas E. Watson of Georgia met
the special committee Of the Populist
party at Atlanta July and formal
ly accepted the nomination Of that
party for the presidential office. In
doing so he took occasion to make
bitter attack upon Bryan as being IN
worthy Of the vote of the south, espe-
cially for his friendly attitude toward
the dismissed negro soldiers in the
Brownsville affair. BY the same token
Watson lauded Roosevelt and Taft.
Los Angeles Socialists Jailed.
To the long list of Socialist street
speakers who have been thrown into
prison by the Los Angeles authorities
there have been added four women.
They refused to accept bail and will
stay in jail until tried. Already thirty
five men had been jailed and some
were working on the chain gang.
Debs Predicts Taft Victory.
Interviewed at Little Rock, Ark, Eu-
gene V. Debs, the Socialist candidate,
said that Bryan would be nominated
and Taft elected. mot because Bryan
Is not considered safe by the capital
lists, but because they do not longer
care to associate with the dying middle
,lass." He added that Socialists would
be surprised at their own strength.
Taft Management Announced.
At Hot Springs, Va, the subcommit-
tee of the Republican national commit
Zee in consultation with Candidate
Taft elected Frank II. Hitchcock as
chairman and George r. Sheldon as
treasurer of the national committee.
Arthur I. Vorys was made manager in
Ohio. but responsible direct to Taft.
Otherwise Hitchcock is to be the su.
Dreme manager Of the Taft canvass
Sheldon is the New York banker who
was treasurer in the Hughes campaign.
It was announced that the New York
state publicity law would be followed
Dy Sheldon in his management of the |
rational campaign contributions This |
sets new pattern.
Socialist Labor Candidates.
The national convention of the So |
,ialist Labor party in session at New
York, with twenty-three delegates in
ended it's deliberations with
he nomination of Martin r. Preston
or president and Arthur S. Dover of |
Texas for vice president. Preston is
low serving prison sentence of twen- |
y-five years for having killed a man
Who threatened him while he was act |
ng as picket in a strike in Gold
ield. His nomination was made re-
,ardless Of the fact that convict has |
10 civil rights and that Preston is not |
# legal age to serve as president. In |
is dispatch of notification the conven-
ion said he was regarded as a victim
# the capitalistic class. Leader De |
4eon told his followers that Preston |
would be liberated and seated If elect
d. regardless of the constitution. |
.ater Preston wired his refusal Of the