Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1908-10-01
Newspapers and Men with Him in
1896 and 1900 Now Urging
Taft's Election.
All Find Judge Taft Admirably
Fitted for the Presidency and
Have Been Unable to Follow
Bryan's Political Shell
Game.


Bryan first attempted to win the high
est office in the nation he has given
voice to opinions which have alenated
many newspapers and men who once
found something in the man and his
changeable doctrines to uphold.
The Baltimore Sun, for instance,
which for years has been the mainstay
of the Democratic party in Maryland,
turned squarely against Bryan and
positively for Taft early in the cam
paign.
at is our deliberate judgment" said
the Sun,
"That for the next four years the
material interests Of the people of this
country would be safer with Mr.. Taft
at the head of the national government
than with Mr.. Bryan"
The backsliding of William Randolph
Hearst and the Hearst string of news
papers is well known. 1t is not dis
puted that the Hearst support formerly
was one of the strongest factors Of
Bryan's strength. Mr.. Hearst's present
opinion of Mr.. Bryan is scathing. Here
Is part of it:
Gle is the peerless prestidigitator
of modern politics, whose hand is quick
er than the eye, who causes his prin-
ciples to disappear and changes his
politics in full view Of the audience.
A Snowman at a county fair, conduct
ing shell game with his political
opinions.
"Where is the little ball of free
silver? Under the first shell? Not at
all. 1t was there once, but it is not
now, and the confiding voter loses.
Where is the little ball of public own
ership? Under the second shell?
Wrong again, and the confiding voter
loses again. Where is the little refer
endum ball? Under the third shell?
Wrong again. and once more the con-
fding voter loses.
''My friends, Mr.. Bryan has no set
convictions. He has changed his opin-
been wrong so often we are justified
In assuming that he is wrong again. Mr..
Bryans definition of a fundamental
principle is proposition that will help
to elect Mr. Bryan. If it fails to elect
him it ceases to be an eternal verify
and becomes an exploded theory.
"Mr. Bryan's substitute for perma-
nent principle is perpetual speech. He
talks well, but he thinks badly and he
acts worst Of ALL"
Revolt Is Widespread.
M. It. Tarpey, of Fresno, Cal, for
years one of the most prominent Demo
cratic National Committeeman, one of
the most popular and best known Dem
ocrats In California and once candidate
for Governor, has announced through
the press his support of Taft, saying
81 feel it is for the best interests of
the nation and our State to elect as
President the man who represents not
only President Roosevelts policies, but
his ideals. and who will be able to get
the best civic results out Of the awak.
ened public conscience"
How widespread is the spirit of re
volt among the former followers OF
Bryan may be judged from the defec,
tion Of the Santa Cruz Surf. a Cali.
fornia newspaper of considerable infu
ence which has supported the Demo
cratic party for thirty years through
thick and thin under the editorship OF
Arthur A. Taylor. In a four-columr
editorial in the issue of August 26 the
Surf sets forth its reasons for discard
ing Mr.. Bryan and advocating Mr.. Taft
Mr.. Taylor's conclusion is that Bryan
lacks "the most essential requisite fol-
the wisdom"
Ex-senator George L. Wellington OF
Maryland Is open and enthusiastic in
his support of Taft, in great contrast
with his attitude of eight years ago
when. he appeared on the rostrum with
Bryan at the greatest political meeting
ever held in Cumberland, Md, and wher
he stumped the Northwest for the Ne
braskan. His attitude has entirely
changed, and he states that he considers
Taft an ideal candidate as representa-
tive of Republican policies.
Nebraska Populist and Rhode Island
Democrat.
John G. Sprecher prominent Ne
braska Populist and editor of the
Schuyler Free Lance, has repudiatet
Bryan and warmly urges the election
of Taft and Sherman. The change II
Mr. Sprecher's political views was an
nounced in recent issue of his news
paper The editor was twice sent t.
the Nebraska Legislature by the Popu
lists and has upheld that party and it.
views for many years. In his editoria
committing himself to the Republican
national candidate, Mr.. Sprecher says
"Above all else this year, the Free
Lance editor is opposed to the election
of w. ]. Bryan for the Presidency, be
cause he is simply disguised with the
standing candidate, who is apparently
for or against any proposition that vii
net him votes"
Perhaps the most notable Democrat,
detection In Rhode Island is that o.
DR.. James r. Sullivan. Of Narr:can
sett. Democratic Presidential Electol