The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-02-12
CLASH OVER BRYAN.
Democrat House Members in Family
Squabble.

Washington Feb 12.-For the second
time this week politics cropped out dur
Ing the discussion of the Indian appro-
prtatfon bill In the house. Today MI
Aamill On. J.) got the floor for hve
minutes. presumably to talk on the bill.
My colleague, Mr.. Leake. last Mon
day made some remarks derogatory OF
the conduct of William ]. Bryan, ne
said, and before he could continue Mr..
Sherman On. Y-) arose and said amld
general laughter: st must make the
point of order that this section OF the
bill does not appropriate for William j.
Bryan"
There were demands that Mr.. Hamili
be allowed to proceed. On conditloil
that Mr.. Leake should be permitted nVe
minutes to reply, the permission was
accorded.
Resuming his remarks Mr.. Hamiii
declared that the sentiments as ex-
pressed by Mr.. Leake, ARE not the SEN
tfments entertain or the sentiments
that prevail in Hudson county, Whlcn
we both represent: which prevail TOT
that matter, throughout the state Oh
New Jersey"
Mr.. Bryan. he said, had been critics.
ed because of his knowledge OF the
decalogue. In his opinion 1t was amaz-
ing that Mr.. Bryan should be openly
opposed on the floor of the house. be-
cause he showed an acquaintance WltH
the ten commandments. 1t was refresh
ing, he said, to find man who not only
boosted and possessed an acquaintance
with the ten commandments. Dus WIZ VIZ
Throughout the entire course or ms
public career has consistently put tne
precepts of the commandments into
practice
Shouts of Democratic approval greet
ed Mr.. Hamills announcement that
while he agreed with tne st az Nv
that Mr.. Bryans knowledge OF the com
nandments would fit him to occupy
pulpit with prominence, Il can also
assure the house, rejecting at the same
time their own conviction, that that
same acquaintance will enable MIN 70
occupy with eclat the post OF presioeh'
of the United States"
The principles Mr.. Bryan espouseo'
he said were so undenfaDly souNu'
"that his victorious opponents nave ap-
propriated many of them ana niau p
them the peculiar features OF their poi
icies.''
If, said Mr.. Hanill, it is true, as
charged by his colleague, that MI:
Bryan was engaged in the practice OF
corralling delegates to the Denver
convention, it was the very same sam,
practice INDUCED in "by the illus
frious gentleman whom my friends
on the other side of the chamber
boast of as their political chiefta1n.
Leake Replies.
All ewes then turned toward Mr..
Leake who amid Repuohcan APP
plause said that he had been mlsun.
derstood and that the CongresslonaI
Record would bear him out that ne
had cast no aspersions on tine peer
less one" His tone in referring TO
Mr. Bryan was so sarcastic tnat ne
was again app1auded by the Repupll-
cans. Mr. Leake said it was MS nom
est opinion that his views re, rene go
the sentiment of his district, his state
and the country. There were, he said,
certain principles of the Democratic
nartv which had been departed from
since 1896. land that in TINS year
when we see an opportunity. of VIC
tory we are still trusting our fortunes
to the distinguished gentleman from
Nebraska.
Mr.. Leake spoke of the doctrine of
Thomas jefferson and reverting TO
Mr.. Bryan provoked Republican ap-
p1ause and general laughter when ne
said
IT believe that Mr.. Bryan is sin
cere. honest and 1 believe that he is
truthful and 1 believe further that ne
can not represent the principles OF
Democracy before the American peo-
ME I believe that he can not preach
The doctrine of home rule in the
states. 1 do not believe he can preach
the doctrine of American individual
ity, for when he rises as our. leader ne
is wound around by his heresies OF
free silver, by his doctrines of gov
ernmental ownership, and by his
guaranteeing of the bank deposits OF
the United States and by all those
other socia1istic tendencies.
The county, he declared, needs the
establishment of the principles OF
democracy in our national legislation
and needs to get away from the prln-
cfples which Mr.. Bryan stands for.
Mr.. Leake after asserting that the
Republicans were a party OF expedf-
principle. said that ne mad been ac-
cused of being a Republican. He de-
clered. however, that he did not be-
Iieve that party was based on sound
principles of Democracy as enunciated
by Jefferson.
General applause and laughter
greeted Mr. Leake as he took his seat
and after a momentary silence it broke
out with increased vigor. Mr.. John
sharp Williams. leader of the minor
ity. brought the colloQuy to climax
and a close.
ST have Observed he said, that
the risibilities of the other side were
considerably stirred by the clash of
two individual opinions on this side.
The Republicans seem to rejoice in
the fact that there is no rod of iron
on the Democratic side to assure
absolute unanimity of opinion. 1recog-
nize. as in contrast, that the Republi-
cans are generally united, notwith-
standing the fact that now and then,
when one of them rises he is warned
bv another of them to get out of the
way or be run down."
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