New-York tribune., 1908-07-20
EX-]USTICE PRYOR 80
VETERAN JURISTrS views.
On Birthday He Discusses the PO-
HticaL Outlook.

HticaI Outlook.
Ex-Justicc Roger A. Pryor, Of the Supreme
Court. lifelong Democrat declared yesterday
in the course OF an interview discussing tho gen
eraI political situation and the candidates that
as lifelong Democrat he expected to for
Bryan, though he frank to say that he utterly
abhorred some of his doctrines.
Ex-Justice Pryor celebrated his eightieth birth
day yesterday. but 1t not a celebration in t,e
ordinary OF that word A few friends called
to see him. and his large. utiIitarfan desk in his
library the third floor Of his home. at No 8
West 69h street. held two huge punches of beauti-
full flowers which he loves flaming red gladioIus
ard sweet peas. But he spent the day-as he spends
NEST OF his time now-with his books. his flowers.
Mrs. Pryor. his constant companion. and tiny
canary which triis with an energy out OF keeping
with It's small body.
In view of his long experience with political
events and his observation of public life extend
ing from 1852 when he was tho youngest member
of the convention which nominated Franklin Pierce
at Baltimore, ex-Justice Pryor asked to
press his views the opposing candidates IN the
coming election and on the general political situa-
ton.
MY first vote was cast for Franklin Pierce"
he replied in his pleasant musical voice. with just
touch of accent betraying his Virginia birth
IT may say I have consistently voted for every
Democratic candidate for President from that time
down. voted both times for Mr.. Bryan, though.
OF course, I utterly abhorred his silver notions,
ard afterward the government ownership notion
which he voiced recently. magwump can
vote consistently according to his Individual dio-
syncrasies but who belongs to party
engages. by belonging to that party. TO yield his
views to the collective voice of his party. duly
promulgated. Therefore. when my party in au-
thentic shape promulgated that particular doctrine.
I bowed to II.
las to Mr.. Taft" he went on II have the high
est estimation of his uprghtness and ability. and
I think him most lovable from what hear
of him, and. 50 far character and competency
go, undoubtedly perfectly qualified for the office
of President. On the other hand, don't agree
with Mr.. Bryan in good many OF his notions. as
he has declared them from time to time Still. as
a party man. expect to vote for him; mark you
L say expect to. for L can't tell what may come
up between and election, and cannot make
a positive statement.
Now. to the issues. I have postponed read
ing critically the platforms until get the
letters of acceptance of the candidates Then I
shall get their definitions of the platforms
Wf you express any views as to the outcome
of the election?' ex-Justice Pryor was asked He
hesitated trife. then said slowly:
"In my Judgment, It is not at all certain that
Mr.. Bryan will not be elected The fact Is. in
cline to think that he will be elected. Now. there's
a remarkable man!' He broke OF the thread OF
his discourse for a moment. HE goes trip
around the world continued the veteran jurist.
mot holding any public office-just plain Ameri-
honors equal to those which greeted General
Grant with his prestige from the Civil War and
the Presidency of the United States. The Russian
Douna set aside day for him to be present and
make address. Tolstoy received him for long
private interview: so did the King OF England
Then Bryan pre-eminentIy has the gift of eIo-
quence-a gift which distinguishes man from the
rest of the brute creation
WELL as was saying. I see The Herald con-
cedes that he will have 1sa electoral votes sure.
T. A0 Va11x ~l~rc ia hn
fonder of that game than most anything else
years ago: well, that's mighty good hand to
draw to.
IT assume Mr.. Bryan will get the labor vote.
continued ax-Justice Pryor Understand. 7 speak
generay-not much on account Of the platform.
but on account OF his recent adrcft speech ap-
peans to labor men. Then I assume he will get
the Grand Army vote largely because Of Mr.. Taft
unfortunate Memorial Day speech at Grants
tomb I assume Mr. Bryan will get the bulk of
the negro vote too You'll observe Booker Wash
fnzton has declared for Mr.. Taft. but Booker
Washington Is most odious to the bulk or the
negroes all the country They almost liter
ally detest him, and I'm speaking now as South
erner.
Strange to say. it appears that the Jews are
against Mr. Taft. and for the most absurd reason |
in the world-they say, because Mr.. Taft went out
of his way to pay his respects TO the Gar OF
Russia Now. the Gar Is the only man in Russia |
who really friendly to the Jews Also, Mr.. Taft |
is not Christian: he's Unitarian That accusa- |
ticn was brought against him. If he had said he |
Indignantly refused to notice any attack on his |
religious views that would have commanded the \
respect of everybody BY implication he admitted |
the validity Of the charge pleading IN palliation
that he his wife occasionally went to Christian
Finally. there must be great body of patriotic |
Republicans who take this yiew-that IL is bad for |
the country to have party everlastngiy IN |
power, and that the slate should be wiped and ac-
count taken of assets occasionally. They can say /
of Mr.. Bryan with great force that If he were dis
posed to be mischievous he could do no mischief.
for he will be restrained by Republican Senate.
Those are the reasons for my views They may
be faactous; but. holding them, they make me
think that Mr.. Bryan may be elected L should Il
greatly regret the defeat OF Mr. Taft personally on
account of his high character and ability, and es
pecially on account Of his relations with President
Roosevelt for whom I have the highest possible |
admiration. I think him the most conspicuous ruler
in the theatre of the world. not excepting the /
aiser or the Czar I personally approve his poll
cies though L think them really Democratic |
policies
Despite his eighty years. ex-Justce Pryor is hale /
and vigorous His voice, though soft. is full and /
resonant: his hair. worn long over his shoulders.
shows little than trace of gray, and his |
figure is well knit and sturdy
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