The Washington herald., 1908-01-27

If William Jennings Bryan stands upon
the ledge Of a political precipice which
threatens to crumble beneath his feet
and drop him, a mangled Presidential
possibility, abandoned By the Democratic
party, be was most unconcerned about
his perilous position yesterday. In fact,
he has not noticed his imminent danger.
If any OF Mr. Bryan's friends or enc
mics contemplate forcing upon the Ne
braskan the role Of Caesar. the Brutus
is yet coneealing his fell purpose, and the
threads Of the conspiracy, OF which much
has been heard, have not yet been tied
together into a well-deyeloped plot
Friends Not In on Plot.
But the ides Of March are coming.
There are still some Democratic sooth-
sayers who perhaps have warned Mr.
Bryan that there is something doing out
Of the East that may mean his with
drawaL II such action upon the part OF
Mr.. Bryan is to be looked for during his
visit in Washington, most Of the Con-
gressmen who call him friend know moth
ing Of it and dlscredit the existence Of
such a plot.
Mr.. Bryan was too busy yesterday TO
bother much about the ehimera, as his
friends term it, Of a split between the y
different sections Of the party, or at
least a split between certain members Of
| that party in Congress.
The aftermath Of the GTidiron dinner.
the two speeches yesterday which Mr..
Bryan had TO make. the calls upon him
by friends and his own calls made else
where than at the Metropolitan Hotel.
where he is staying. helped 10 round out
day which began early ard stayed late.
Bryan Raps VaciIIatIng Press.
Although pressed FOR time. Mr.. Bryan
made opportunity to talk to a bunch of
newspaper men in the morning in his
rooms at the Metropolitan. He allotted
them about fifteen minutes, and discussed
many phases Of the situation.
He has paid but little attention to the
stories. he said. which have appeared re-
Gently in several newspapers, in which it
was stated that there is a movement 10
have him withdraw from the Presidential
contest.
He said he pays but little attention to
some newspapers. because they viii re-
tract one day what they have said the
day before. Often Mr.. Bryan and other
public men have been misquoted. he said.
and consequently he is not worried by
any stories appearing against him.
When asked how he views the currency
situation. Mr.. Bryan, evidently thinking
reference was made to the free silver
plank OF 1896, was silent he said that
he is in favor of a guaranty fund.
Bryan Sees Victory sure.
It is said that Mr.. Bryan has expressed
the conviction that he can defeat any
man whom the Republican party can
lname. His view on the prospects of can
didates to be the nominee Of that party
are said 10 be Taft first, Hughes second,
and Cannon third. ANY one of these pos
sible rivals, he believes, he can easily de-
feat
Late in the day Mr.. Bryan took iocu-
lar attitude when asked about the report
of his withdrawal lie was at this tima
dining with Representative Clayton, Har-
Try Walker, OF New York. and several
other friends at the New Willard.
Asked if he has been approached by
William Sheehan, of New York, and for
mer Senator Smith. of New Jersey. on
this subject. he replied:
/ I have not.
What will you tell them it they do
call on vou?" he was asked.
"a Want Credentials.
A bro Ie spread over Mr. Bryans
face as T. piled:
We'll. the first thing / ought TO ask
them. I suppose, is whether or not they
are the guardians Of the Democratic
party. If they answer in the affirmative.
1 assume the next proper question should
Ibe for their credentials. However. I viii
cross that bridge when 1 come 10 it"
This was the most that Mr.. Bryan
would say about the report. which has
evidently circulated freely in Washington.
He certainly knows nothing whatever Of
il, or OF its origin and did not seem a
bit worried over its significance,
Later in the evening he returned 10
the New Willard Hotel. where he spent
some time with Judson Harmon. If Ohio.
who also came to attend the Gridiron
dinner Judge Harmon assured him. it
is said that Ohio is now suffering from
a Republican family quarrel that viii
greatly aid the Democratic party in that
State.
Judge Harmon also said that since the
Republican party has had a panic it can
no longer lay claim TO all the prosperity.
Wall Street Interests InImieaI.
Harry Walker, vith whom he took
dinner. declared last night later that it
was the wall street interests thar are
behind the move to induce Mr.. Bryan to
quit the race.
And you may further say" continued
Mr.. Walker, that Wall street will get its
answer on February 4. when Mr. Bryan
is to speak in Carnegie Hall"
The speech on that date is on the sub
iect Thou shalt not steal" 1t is antici-
pated that the utterances will be such as
Continued on Page 4, Column 4.