New-York tribune., 1908-01-20
FEAR BRYAN AS A FOE.
LEADERS WANT HIS AID.
Waldorf Conference WH Sees to
.ShelUe His Candidacy Gently.

rr,,o ,,,a,ayers of the conference to be held at
the Waldorf on Thursday TO find ous what Is
the matter with the Democratic party ana to
suggest some plan of action that Will unite the
leaders on some Presidential candidate are
much elated at the favor with which their ef-
forts have been received. They have assurances
from all the prominent members of the pa{ty,
both in this city and in the South, whose names
were given in The Tribune, that they are heart
lily in sympathy with the objects of the confer
ence and hope TO be present.
Democrats who are working TO obtain the
nomination Of a conservative member of the
party for President were much interested in a
report from Washington that William Jennings
BRYAN had expressed himself as being willing to
renounce his aspirations along that line in case
It could be shown that representative Democrats
supporting him in the past were now OF the
opinion that some other man should be named
This led certain of the men who are to attend
the conference at the Waldorf to say last night
that the meeting should not be looked upon as a
distinctly anti Bryan gathering These men ad-
nit Mr.. Bryan's influence in the party, and are
willing to conciliate rather than antagonize him
If he should show any disposition TO consider
any other candidate than himself.
Ex-Justice Morgan ]. O'Brien. who will prob
ably be named the chairman of the Waldorf
conference said last night that the meeting
in favor of any particular candidate
1T is too soon to say that are for or
against any man for the Presidential nomina-
tion." said Mr.. O'Brien. 1T would be great
mistake for the conservative members OF the
party to come out openly in hostility TO bryan
or any other possible candidate at this time
If we have any hopes of uniting on any common
ground. 1t certainly cannot be done by starting
with a declaration against any one
"Mr. BRYAN went a long way when ne salu'
as reported that he would step aside If it seemed
IN he for the best interests Of the party. We
recognize the great influence of Mr. Bryan and
hope that he will be willing to work with those
striving to get g. candidate who has seme chance
of success at the polls. This is to be meeting
Of those who are conservatively inclined, with
q purpose to find some platform on which the
great majority or party can unite
District Attorney Jerome said he would take
mart in the conference with great deal or
pleasure "Of course ! have been against Bryan
and am still opposed to his nomination for any
office" said the District Attorney. But do not
understand that the primary purpose OF TINS
meeting is to oppose Bryan. We are gong 10
meet TO discuss the future Of the Democratic
party and to see If we can to some extent swing
il back along the old lines. Democrats have got
TO get together. and 1 do not know OF any
better way to reach some understanding than
to talk the situation"
II is held by some who unalterably op-
posed to the nomination Of Bryan that it would
be much better to compromise with him In the
way of a candidate or platform than to de-
clare a fight to the finish against him. which
would lessen the chances of the partys success
at the polls.
1t will be remembered that, in contrast to the
attitude he took on Bryan last night ex-Justice
O'Brien some weeks ago went SO far as to say
that if Bryan was the Democratic candidate
and the Republicans did not put up conserva
tive candidate it might lead to third ticket
being placed in the field.