Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1908-07-25

that an agreement of silence had
been coneurred IN by both parties TO
the conversation and It is inconcelv-
able TO our mind how this committee
should have violated the agreement
by giving out the interview in ques-
ton on the eve of the meeting OF the
Democratic National Convention at
Denver.
The shock came though when the
following appeared in the newspa-
pers of the country:
"A telegram came to him this
afternoon from the Baltimore Sun
saying that Bishop Walters OF the
African Methodist Church had de-
clared that Mr. Bryan had given him
assurance that he believed the
Brownsville affair was Plant and
that he would appoint Negroes to
Office Mr.. Bryan replied; The re-
port is not true. have refused TO
discuss Brownsville case and L nave
not discussed the appointment OF Ne
groes.
Mr.. Bryan realized however that
his short, crisp telegraphic response
might have been misconstrued and
that Bishop Walters and his confer
ees might be in the mood TO unani
mously recommend him for member
ship I'm the Roosevelt Annanias Club
so he gave out the following report
the next day:
Mr.. Bryan explained to the news
paper correspondents this afternoon
that when ne said yesterday that he
had not discussed the Brownsville Of
fair. he meant he had not done so
since the Denver Convention and
since he was in a position 20 say
what he would do If elected
He said ho had written an edi-
torial for the Commoner. when the
first report was made. and he had
talked IL over with various persons.
iie had not. however read the evil
uence and ne would desire TO do so
before he predicated any comment
thereon"
This then is a virtual admission
that the report as given out by the
committee that reported TO Bishop
Walters was true. Yet. who can
fail TO appreciate the predicament In
which Hon. William J. Bryan was
placed2 We imagine that James X.
Vardaman OF Mississippi was dancing
a horn-pipe and J. Thomas Heain
or Alabama was swinging corners. q"
when they realized that their peer
less leader had been encouraging Ne
sroes in the North to support the
Democratic ticket.
In view OF this condition OF affairs
and these disclosures. it is no wonder
that Hon. William Randolph Hearst
caoled 70 Mr.. Samuel Gompers I'm re-
ply 20 letter from him his opinion
OF Mr.. Bryan and the Democratic
Party. Il is as follows:
Tell Mr.. Gompers that 7 am not
authorized 20 speak for the mem
nership or the Independence League.
Dut according 70 my personal stand
aros' a purer patriotism consists in
laDoring TO establish a new party.
NnlSh VIII be consistently devoted
20 me interest OF the citizenship, and
particularly TO the advantage and o,I
M, iehl OF the producing classes.
II do not think the pafb 90 no.
trlotism lies in supporting n discro.l
tied and decadent old party which
mas neither conscientious conviction
nor honest intention. or In indorsir >
chameleon candidates who chance tb'o
Color OF their political opinion vvitb
every varying hue OF opportunism
90 not think the best bene6t 90
l@ooring men lies In supporting tbat
olu party, because OF a SOD OF faleo
~ ON Uses when the performance of
maj party while IN power. did more
70 lhJure labor than all the infu,c-
uohs ever issued before or since
! nave lost faith i'm the ar,rt,,
ocracy. s-''ei"'e Dem
nave lost confidence i'm the abl-
w. IN the sincerity. and even in tn
integrity OF its leaders.
30 not consider it patriotism, 70
pretend pretend to support that which as n
oI'i1eh dlstrust and detest ana 7
Hestiy nope the Independence pa
~ VIII give me an opportunitv -
vote Tor candidates that are botb
ore and honest. and for a decIaration
e III principles that is both sound and
" no VIII doubt but what Mr.. VIII
nam Randolph Hearst expresses the
opinion not only of thousands OF
"hite men. but hundreds of eoIored
men as well. His letter is both time
" and useful and the position Of Mr.
Bryan and his attitude towards tho
colored voters, who have been en-
aeaVoring to ascertain his opinions
upon vital questions affecting their
welfare certainly emphasizes all that
inns distinguished New Yorker mas
oeen frank enough to say.
Mr.. Bryan viii evidently endeavor
20 corral a portion of the Negro vote
lie mas an even chance of securing