The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-10-01
TAFT IN BRYAN'S TOWN
Takes Up the Challenge Regarding
Campaign Contributions.

Lincoln, Neb., Oct 1.-Accepting the
challenge of w. ]. Bryan. right in the
home city of the Nebraskan, w. H.
Taft last night not only Endorsed Pres
ident Roosevelt's position on the ques-
ton of the publicity of campaign con-
tributions, but defended it with argu
ments calculated to establish that po-
sition as sound from the standpoint Of
public good and to show that the Bryan
position was one simply for pre-elec-
ton sensatiOralism.
Mr.. Taft made eleven speeches in
Nebraska before reaching Lincoln and
five speeches in that city. His audi
ence were large and enthusiastic and
his reception in Lincoln was made par
ticularly gratifying to him by the en-
thusiasm and friendliness exhibited by
the immense crowds which greeted him
at all points. Excursion trains came
to Lincoln from many places in the
state during the day and the city was
alive with bands, marching clubs and
general campaign exhilaration and ex-
! element.
The one disappointing feature of the
Taft demonstration in Lincoln was the
| bad condition of the voice of the can
didate. He had talked continuously
| throughout the day in the open air and
| this, added to the strain he has been
under during every day for the past
| eight days, made him decidedly
| hoarse.
The big meeting was held at the
auditorium which was crowded with
| enthusiastic ShouterS for Taft. Taft
| had intended to reply in his speech to
the challenge of Mr. Bryan concern
| ing campaign contributions. He be-
came so engrossed, however, in other
| topics that he made only incidental ref
| erence to this phase of the campaign
and made answer to the challenge in a
| formal statement which he gave to the
| press.
When the Taft special reached Lin
| coin shortly before o'clock it was
! greeted by an immense crowd. With
/ out alighting, however, the candidate
! was switched out % Havelock, where
are located the repair shops of the Bur
/ lington system, and here he delivered
to the workingmen employed there his
| address on labor. He was brought
| back to Lincoln before o'clock and
| escorted at once TO the state univer-
sity where at a meeting of the stud
ents, presided over by Senator Burkett,
| he gave a short talk and met the
! student body. A concert and general
| jubilation on the capitol grounds was
the next feature which was carried out
| with a vim, and then the candidate
| was taken to the auditorium which
| was crowded with women, presided
| over by Mrs. Sheldon. wife of the gov
ernor Here Mr.. Taft made one of his
characteristic talks which was rece1V-
ed most enthusiastically. After a din
ner at the home of Governor Sheldon
he returned to head a parade which
| escorted him again to the auditorium
| where the speech of the day was de-
| livered. At the capitol grounds there
was a big demonstration Governor
Cummins of Iowa made the principa
speech and was heartily cheered for his
position regarding Republican policies
Taft's Statement.
His statement on contributions is
as follows:
"Mr. Bryan challenges me to take
the same position that President
Roosevelt takes with reference to the
time when publicity should be made
Of campaign contributions and I ac-
! cept the challenge. I take exactly
the same position that the president
takes. 1 have always been in favor OF
| a law which will require publicity OF
both contribution and expenditure;
Immediately after election. Mr.. Bryan
seems to favor the publication of con-
tributions before the election bu
postpones the publication of expendi-
; lures until after that time.
81 confess I see no reason why, il
contributions are to be published be-
fore election expenditures should no.
: also be published. 1 think that the
character of expenditures is quite a.
; important as the character and source
of the contributions / don't know
of any election law either in thi!
Z country or abroad which requires tht
: publication of contributions or ex
'penditures before the election. The