Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-09-28
Campaign
Comment.
Mr.. Bryan's Counsellor.
(BOStGn Hcrall)

Ni''''N'ii
The resignation OF A Gov Haskell
from official connection with the
Democratic national campaign will
not clear Mr.. Bryan of the RESPONSE
blity for his presence there Even
should the Democratic candidate re-
fuse to remain the defender and
hpoln@l5t 1"r the FORMER railroad pro-
not.r and the friend and ally of the
ON Trust, GOV. Haskell's preferment
Iii the councils Of the Bryan camp
VIII Still require explanation. Contri-
butions to the complete Identification
OF this oklahoma politician have
beer coming from many quarters dur
ing the past few days. However
effective the plea of mistaken iden-
tity may prove in disposng of the
Monet affidavit concerning the at
tempted bribery in the STANDARD Oi
Interests in nhiO. there seems to bt
no opportunity for mistake concern
ing some chapters Of his career. Il,
be engaged in the promotion of rail-
road enterprises is not an offence
under the law. TO have been asso-
ciated with the late Calvin S. Brice
ana his interests does not condemn
man. Wall street men who Were
acquainted with the Governor in his
various business enterprises bring
no charge of dishonesty against him
although their dealings with his
judgment cost them some millions.
Tut all these experiences furnish eff
fective sidelights upon the charac-
ter and ruling motives of the
man who has been posing as
the defender of the plain "peepul.'
It that time-twclve years ago--the
Governor was enc of the gold
bugs and enthusiastic in his OPP
position to Mr.. Bryan. What sort
of metamorphosis occurred in the
man to make him the leader of
ultra radicalism in oklahoma. the
chief constructor Of the constitution
of that state. its first Governor, and
finally the chief adviser of the Popu-
list-Democrat in the preparation at
Denver of the partv's national plat
form and the management of his
campaign?
Will the Governor of Oklahoma be
able to convince the voters of the
sincerity of his change of mind and
associates? Will Mr.. Bryan be able
to convince the people of the SINGER
ity of his own expressions of conf
dnnce in his Oklahoma counsellor?
Was Mr.. Bryan acquainted with
Gov. Haskell's career when he made
HIM his chief manager at the Den
Yer convention? Was he so i'm
pressed by Gov. Haskell's financial
achievements that he accepted his
Endorsement of the oklahoma
scheme of guaranteeing bank de-
posts, and also considered him as
a possible secretary of the treasury
in the Bryan cabinet?
The delegates to the convention at
Denver may not have had adequate
means Of knowing Gov. Haskcll's
political and financial career. But was
Mr. Bryan equally ignorant? Some
facts we're patent. The Monet charges
had been made and had been dis
c'sscd in the Oklahoma campaign.
ana the Governor had never cleared
his name of the suspicion that at
tached to it. His career in New
York was not Secrct-SOme of it
was a matter of court record. While
the Denver convention was in Ses-
sion he was interfering in behalf Of
h subsidiary Of the Standard Oil
Company. But he was made treas
urer of the Democratic committee
in spite of all that. Did Mr. Bryan
know his man. or had he tested his
principles. or was the fact Of his
popularity as leader of the radical
sentiment Of his state sufficient
crcdental for the high position in
the party which was accorded him?
These are some of the questions
l,, -. 4
people after the excitement Of
charges ana counter charges sub
sides. Confidence in Mr. Bryan as
the national executive will rot be
increased if the people find that
knowingly or iGnnrantly, he has
chosen as his counsellor a political
soldier Of fortune. that he has ac-
ccptod as his financial mentor dis
credited operator in Wall street
More attention may be given to the
personality of Organism. in its satel-
ltes as, We'll as in the person of its
dominant star. Who would be the
Successors of Root and Taft and
Straus AMI Meyer in the Bryan cabi-
net" And who the possible success
sors Of Chief Justice Fuller. and
Justices Brewer. Peckham, Harlan
and Holiness Is the Governor OF
oklahoma tyne of the BRYAN
craftsmanship? Rv what test did he
qualify in the estimation of Mr.
Bryan himself? The strength of an
administration is not measured by
the individuality of the President
alone. The widest leadership is not
that which relies upon it's own
strength of mind or conscience. but
that which seeks the counsel of
others and which gathers around it.
self men who are truly representa-
tive Of the nation. 1t was John
Hay whose masterful diplomacy
shaped the foreign policy of the
country during the administration OF
President Mckinley in the first