Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1908-05-27

Democratic Leader Puts Issue Square
iy Up to Repubiicans-Messa Of
Bring Majority Party to Front-Taft
Embarrassed by Crumpacker Bill.
(By Associated PreSs.)

"iiiidHl jennings bryan. NnoSt
Overwhelming lead in the race for tn.
Democratic pre- siGantial nomination
insures on the first ballot at the Den
yer convention his selection as the
D"mocraiic standard bearer. las,
night from his home in Lincoln. Nrb
challenged William Howard raft, the
probable Republican nominee. to join
with him in urging upon Congress tn.
necessity of passing bill requiring
the publication of campaign cOntri-
buttons
From his home in Lincoln, N-b
Mr.. Bryan tonight sent to Secretary
Taft the following telegram:
Il beg TO suggest that as leading
candidates in our respective parties
We join in asking Congress to pas
4 bill requiring publication of cam
paign contributions prior to election
II yen thing best, We can ask other
candidates 10 mite with nss in the re-
WI. BRYAN.
The action OF the House Republi-
cans in placing upon the Mccall bill,
requiring publication Of campaign
funds. the Crumpacker provision pro-
vding for an investigation of suf-
fraee conditions in the Southern
states. is accepted by Democrats to
mean that the majority party Is op'
posed to publicity campaign. as IL
is 4 foregone conclusion that the an
thority for such an investigation
would not be sanctioned by Senate
Democrats. framed as ii is with the
sole motive of defeating publicity or
the alts rnative of reduction OF the
Sonth's electoral vote.
Realizing that. as the situation
stands. there is no possibility of the
passage of the House bill. Democrat;
have heen seeking way to brins
sduarely to the front the question Of
campaign contributions.
Mr.. Bryan. in his telegram to thu
| secretary of war. does this. Secre
tary Taft is quoted by former Sena
tor Chandler as saying that he is II
favor Of the passage Of such Dill
| The man who is hailed by the Re
pubIicans as the next President
should certainly have epough infiu
ence with a Republican Congress Z
| secure the passage of a measure open
ling the books and insuring an homes
election.
Taft Dodqes Real Issue.
Secre tary Taft this morning mad
the following answer to the telegram
received by him from william Jer
nings Bryan challenging the secretar
10 use his influence Ia have passe
the campaign publicity bill,
"Hon. William J. Bryan.
Lincoln. Neb.:
your Telegram received. On Apr
Goth. last. i sent the following le'
tier TO Senator Burrows. the ChaiTma
lof the COMMITTEE on Privileges an
Elections Of the Senate;
| NY Dear Mr. Burrows sir
crrely believe that IL would cr"ati
l,end 10 the absence of corruption /
politics nf the exp'nsrs foS n"m'n:
itrnd 10 the absence Of corruption !
ttiuns and elections Of all candidai1
and all contributions received and o.
pend;turrs made by political commi
itees could he made public. both in r.
spect 10 state and nationa! po'tic
jFor that reason am strongly in &
vor Of the passage Of the bill. whic
lis now pending IN the Senate an
House. 70 l~ing ahout this result
far AZ national politics are concrrnr
mark this letter personal bcCaHs
II am anxious 10 avoid assuming =
attitude in tho campaign which 10
quito possible I shall never hav" "
rich, 10 y Ssume but en- far a. nv y"
SnraI influence Is concerned. a
an1Gous To Civ" II for the passage
The bill
"vcrv sinc"riv ynrrz
Will IAN ". TAFT
since writing IN" ahov" in
sxcr 10 inquiry. 7 have Said>pnhliC
that I hoped that bill vorld mass
y WILLIAM " TAFT"
u fs regarded as significant hero
Wa shingt"n iilnt S"oTciary Ia
d~dyrs tho real isEue. which involv
the nu.s,ion ~ his attitude tosar
? the Crrrparker hill which is NV
> rider On the publicity hill. and viii
. hrinvr tho negro question prominent
ITO the front.