Omaha daily bee., 1908-10-21
WRIGHT DISCUSSES BRYAN
Secretary Of War Severely Condemns
Nebraskan's Ideas.
TWO PLATFORMS ARE COMPARED
Democratic Tariff Plank Intended 20
Please Free Traders and PrOtec-
~IOnists AIike--Business In
terests in Danger.

NEW YORK, oct. 20.-Seldom has William
]. Bryan been so severely arraigned during
the present campaign as he was here last
! night by General Luke E. Wright, secretary
Of war, who addressed a large mass meeting
at Terrace Garden.
General Wright, who was introduced al
"A democrat having the honor Of holdinl
a cabinet position under a republican ad.
ministration," was greeted with enthusiastic
cheering when he appeared on the platform
The speaker entered vigorously into tbs
principal issues of the campaign, condemn.
ing Mr.. Bryan In sharp terms for the lat.
, ter's reference in a recent speech to Presi.
dent Roosevelt as the hired man"
General Wright said that such statements.
"tickled the groundlings, but made the
judicious grieve."
He then outlined the powers OF the presi.
dent in an endeavor to show that the presi-
lent is not a hired man, but the chief ruler
Of the people,
He then made some comparisons OF the
material points of the platforms of the two
great parties in those particular parts In
which they are in conflict.
The omission " the democratic platform
to declare for revenue only. Secretary
Wright said, was not accidental, but was
~ 80 a nun hloAA NNAlAAlA
democratic free traders and protectionists
alike could stand. The secretary said:
/ say this because 1t Is a matter of com
mon notorIety that there is a very consid-
cradle ana ! may say growing, element In
the democratic party which favors reason
able protection to American Industries. We
know that there are many thousands who
haoitua!ly vote the den ocratic ticket. in
the eastern states especially, who are for
moderate protection, call II by whateyor
name you please; and we know also that
In the other great sections Of the country,
and especially In the south where mining
and manufacturing are being developed by
caps and bounds, and where sugar wool
lumber and various other products rcceIve
the benefits of protection, democratic votes
are In favor of a continuance OF some form
or other or the protective policy. II must
also not be overlooked that there exists a
strong feeling among the masses of the re-
publican voters, especially in the central
and far western states, all of whom are
tariff schedules are too high and should
be Immediately lowered.
Business Interests in Danger.
The real question, the speaker said, was
which of the two candidates can be best
relied upon to make an honest revision. He
was persuaded, he declared, that II Mr..
Bryan's Influence is controlling and he
can give direction TO tariff legislation. the
strong probability is there will be an un-
settling Of all the large interests Of tho
country, while Mr.. Taft, he said, would
not impose upon the shoulders of that great
mass Of the American people who are
consumers and who chiefly pay the freight,
any unconscionable burdens.
The secretary ridiculed the feature Of the
tariff plank in the democratic platform
which proposes TO put on the free list
trust-controlled manufactures, declaring
that It reminded him OF the proposition to
cure a case Of Indigestion by giving the
patient rough on rats. 1t Illustrated, he
declared, the superficial manner in which
Mr.. Bryan proposes to deal with evils
which everybody sees. and his readiness
to apply a remedy so out OF proportion to
the evil as to be destructive, or so made
quate as to be worthless.