New-York tribune., 1908-07-05
BRYAN STARTS FIGHT
ATTACK ON COL. GUFFEY.
Pennsylvania Committeeman Furious
and Murphy amazed.
TBy Telegraph to The Tribune. ]


Denver July 4-Mr Bryan probably has for
gotten all about the attractive line of harmony
talk he has been handing out at Lincoln ana
which his friends have been bringing to Den
yer daily for the last week When he was
called upon to address the Pennsylvania Bryan
League to-day according to the reports which
were Immediately teIegraphed to Denver, he
said all sorts of unkind things about the Key
stone States national committeeman, Colonel
James NJ. Guffey. and finally described the col
one as bushwhacker put into his camp to
betray him
The things which Colonel Guffey said to his
friends when ne read the speech would not look
we'll in print. To the newspaper men the col
one declared that he would say nothing for
publication until tomorrow evening. when he
would give out a statement which would burn
the peerless leader up
But as he grew more excited over the attack
Mr. Guffey consented to say just a word or
two for publication. He said: Sixty per cent
of the delegates in this convention, if they were
not swayed temporarily by morbid sentimen-
tality, would be absolutely hostile to the nomi-
nation of Bryan. They under instructions,
and do not their way clear to disobey those
Instructions but they feel that Bryan cannot
be elected and they would like to some one
else nominated. / will not say anything for
publication to-day" added the colonel. as he
continued to stride about his room; but to-
morrow afternoon shall make statement that
will be exceedingly entertaining to the dele
gates"
Colonel Guffey has many friends III the con-
vention and is particularly close to large num-
Der of the delegates from New York. In con-
necticn with the publication of this attack an
interesting incident occurred which may have
some significance in deciding the question of
whether the fight against Mr.. Bryan is to go on
Since the arrival of Mr.. Murphy and his fol-
lowers yesterday il has been charged that the
Tammany has been dickering with the
Bryan forces in order to strengthen his hand
against Senator Patrick II. McCarren 1t was
said that In return for pledges of support In
his effort to keep the Brooklyn delegation out
Mr.. Murphy willing to vote the New York
delegation for Bryan. 1t was conceded that If
this is done the bottom will Immediately fall out
of the Bryan opposition
Colonel Guffey called Mr.. Murphy to learn
whether the reports were true. If New York
joined the Bryan forces he ready to follow
the lead of that state and to release the delega-
tions from other states who had pledged them
selves to aid in the anti-Bryan movement.
While Colonel Guffey was consulting with MI
Murphy afternoon newspaper was brought
into the room By Daniel F. Cohalan. The paper
contained account of Mr. Bryan's speech at
Lincoln and Mr. Cohalan began read the
article aloud. Neither Mr.. Murphy Mr.
Guffey had seen it. Before Mir. Cohalan had
read half OF the story MIR. Murphy took 1t out
of his hand and, beginning at the first, read IT
to himself He was amazed at the character of
the attack Colonel Guffey.
He knew that Colonel Guffey had aided the
Bryan ticket in New York eight years ago when
the party in New York State badly in
need of financial assistance. He completed the
reading and handed the paper to Colonel Guffey.
who then read the article The Colonel
appa rently less surprised at the tone of the
speech than Mr. Murphy and Mr.. Cohalan had
been.
so that is the man who wants TO be elected
President on a Democratic harmony pro-
grammer' said Mr.. Murphy, with some
phasis.
The situation was discussed at some length by
the three men, but no decision was reached Col
onel Guffey felt encouraged. however, and will
continue to confer with delegations as rapidly
they arrive.
Immediately after the conference, Colonel Guf
fey was asked to make a reply to thu Bryan
speech. He said:
Not now for have not fully dgested 1t.
will not reply to-day nor tonight. 1 cannot say
haps nothing and perhaps a great deal No.
boys" he said as he waved away number OF
newspaper men, Il guess you will have to wait"
What effect Bryan's attack on Colonel Guffey
will have on the situation here remains to be
SEEN but further developments in the fight are
awaited with great interest.