Omaha daily bee., 1908-09-05
pev1Ns c.NpIIcN FUNn

~ ~ y A6NNN 49, -
Colonel Bryan's appeal for popular
subscriptions is not producing satisfac-
tory results, and the surface indica-
lions are that Norman e Mack of Buff.
falo, chairman OF the democratic ma
tionaI committee, is responsible for
the condition. Very soon after his APP
! pointment as committee chairman, MI.
Mack gave at least winking APP
prevail to the report that he had a fund
OF $1,000 left over from the Parker
management Of 1904" The report
was doomed for a few days, evidently
with the double purpose Of squirting
the democratic workers into action and
to leave the impression that the pluto
Gratis had given Parker more money
than his committee could spend in
1904. But there was another side to
It. Democrats over the country got
an idea that $500, 900 was a lot of
money, perhaps all that would be
needed, so they withheld their contri-
buttons.
Chairman Mack was called to Lin
coin and both he and MI. Bryan made
ment had not left 5000, 900 to the new
committee. Neither denied that the
committee had 100000. They sim
ply said they did not get 100000 from
the Parker committee. That will be
readily believed when II is recalled that
Tom Taggart was the head Of the
Parker committee, and Tom does not
Overlook any $500 900 "~sleepers" in
the game ne plays. But Mack can not
keep still about the campaign riches
in his hands. In a formal interview at
New York, after his meeting with
Bryan at Lincoln, Mack said:
am not worrying about finances, and
there is no distress for money. The finance
committee has supplied me with all the
money that is necessary, and I AVE or
dered supplies and everything needful to
run the campaign. Our funds come mostly
in small contributions from the masses OF
the people, and we are gathering much
money in this way. The day for large con-
tributions. so far as the democratic party
is concerned, is fairly over. l am not
afraid that the committee will not obtain
all the money II needs to conduct a legiti-
mate campaign.
Crediting Mr.. Mack with proper re-
spect for the verities, an explanation
lis in order. "The finance committee"
says he, has supplied me with all the
money that is necessary and l have or
dered supplies and everything needful
to run the campaign" Where did he
have placed much emphasis on their
intention to make full reports Of the
campaign contributions before election,
The amount thus accounted for to date
is miserably small, compared with the
$500, 900 admitted as necessary to pay
the legitimate expenses of a great Ia.
ltional campaign by either of the
.. parties. II Chairman Mack has all the
money necessary to run, the campaign
will it not be the proper thing for Mr.
Bryan to do to announce the fact and
ask his friends to quit sending any
more contributions, from 80 cents
up?" The possession of more none!
fthan Is actually needed is a stront
|, temptation to corruption and there arr
even ssme democrats who are no,
strong enough to resist temptation.
This is one of the questions Mr.
Bryan can not refuse to discuss, as 4
was mentioned in the Denver platform
If Mr.. Mack is speaking by the card
the democratic campaign fund must b.
a bumper crop this year. Mr.. Macl
practically admits that he did ge
, $500, 600 from some source, but doe
not offer any account of how tina
amount came into his possession.
Where did you get it. Mr.. Bryan?