New-York tribune., 1908-07-04
BRYAN AND HEARST.

Mr. Rrvap never grows discouraged in his eff
forts to extend the olive branch acceptably to Mr.
Hearst although his experiences hitherto nave
been enough to dishearten less persistent con-
ciator He began by offering his services IN
tbe campaign when Mr. Hearst was running for
Governor, only TO have his offer declined. Arter
that election he lauded tn, defeated candidate
as a reformer and professed 10 see the triumph
OF Mr. Hearsts ideas everywhere. There was
no sign from the New York leader that his
cordiaty in the Iatter's defeat was amieaby
received When Mr.. Hearst took charge OF
Mayor Dunnes campaign for reelection IN chi
cago Mr. Bryan offered to take the stump for
the Chicagoan This service was codly re-
iected Last winter the Nebraska man, who
was setting up all his political differences, made
call upon the New York editor in his home
but apparently the olive branch. even when per-
sonally conveyed. was not acceptable. for Mr.
Hearst in his speeches and his newspapers
shortly afterward made a series of sighting
allusions to Bryan and Organism. Now comes
"The Commoner' with the latest olive branch.
1audatioD of Mr. Hearst a reformer and
prediction of a guarded sort that he will support
the Democratic ticket.
Such persstency in turning the other cheek
ought to be rewarded. and there Is this much
TO be said in favor Of Mr.. Bryan's prediction
namely that the Independence party does not
show the signs of activity to be expected from
nartv preparing for a national campaign. How
ever the Independence party has the advan-
tace of compactness. 1t may go through all the
motions of a national convention without tedious
nreliminaries Delegates may pour in myster-
ousIv from everywhere without any explanation
of how and by whom they were chosen, and a
whole national campaign may begin at a mo-
ment's notice Still, despite this advantage OF
the machinery of the party over that OF
the old nartes the absence of Mr.. Hearst in
Europe and the utter lack Of preparation cast
some doubt upon the ambitious programme OF
launching new national party.
In the way of the Hearst organizations sup
mort of Mr. BRYAN is the fiat declaration of the
Hearst newspapers at will not support Mr.
BRYAN" There are. moreover, the resolutions
adonted at the recent first national conference
of the nartv for the nomination of a ticket of
IFS own And there are Mr. Hearsts own
sneeches against anv future fusion of the new
partv with either of the older parties. Mr..
BRYAN apparently thinks that all of these utter
ances and actions were part Of an elaborate
hIuff which when it fails will be abandoned.
The Hearst propaganda perhaps was not to be
taken any more seriously when it said it wo1lid
not support Bryan than when it pictured
NuT-rhy in stripes. Having been nt1-Murphy,
it became pro Murphy; and having been anti
B,yan. it may become ro-Bryan. The sage of
Lincoln makes only n very guarded prediction as
TO what the Independence party will do and no
one else would venture even to guess. But II 1t
does support Bryan this year. after all Its
nrotestatons of contrary intention, 1t VIII De
difficult for its leaders to induce any one to take
it seriously as third party in the future