The Columbus journal. (Columbus, Neb.) 1874-1911, 1908-06-03

raise the necessary funds for the pur'
pose of corruptiDg the ballot box
But recent developments in the re.
count of the ballots cast in the contest
for mayor of New York two years ago,
between Hearst and Mcclellan, clear
ly proves that the Tammany Democ-
racy, by the free use Of money and
other corrupt methods. succeeded in
defeating Hearst and counting in
McC lellan. This act on the part of
his admirers and boosters, Mr.. Bryan
has never publicly condemned, but has
sought to detract the attention Of the
country by assailing the alleged meth.
DDS adopted by Republicans to infu-
ence voters. In ell the outcry he has
made against Republican campaign
committees, not . single sentence has
been registered against questionable
means employed by his own party for
the very acts he condemns Republi-
cans for.
Although the fact could not have
escaped his attention, yet Mr.. Bryan
has never offered an explanation for
the effort his managers made, by the
free use of money, to defeat johnson
at the primaries in Minnesota. Mr..
Bryan must have known that money
was being used in Minnesota in his
behalf, and that the funds used were
in direct violation of his protested
ideas on the subject, yet he put the
stamp of approval upon the methods
employed by remaining silent. Then,
in order to again call public attention
to his professed political morality, he
sent . telegram to Secretary TAFT ask.
ing him to join with him in making .
request to congress to pass the cam
paign publicity measure. It Was .
grand stand play on the part of Mr..
Bryan-a crude attempt to white-wash
himself and pose as . reformer after
he had become . beneficiary from .
system he claimed was only adopted
by Republicans for the purpose Of
defeating Democrats. When Mr..
Bryan touched off his request to Sec
rotary TAFT he had no idea that the
gun was loaded, and the recoil
almost paraly1ed the Nebraskan. It
appears that Secretary Taft, several
months ago, without any public dis
play of superior political morality, had.
written to Senator Burrows, chairman
of the Committee on Privileges and
Elections, stating that ''it would tend
to the absence of corruption in politics
if expenditures for nominations and
elections of al candidates, and oil
contributions reserved and expendi.
lures made by political committees
could be made public, both in respect
to state and national politics" In
closing his letter to Senator Burrows.
Secretary TAFT said: II mark this
letter personal. because l am anxious
to avoid assuming attitude in . cam
paign which it is quite possible I shall
never have the right to assume, but 30
far as my personal influence is con-
cerned, l am anxious to give it for the
passage of the bill"
Mark the contrast between the two
men on this question. Secretary TAFT
modestly conveys the thought that
possibly he would not be the nominee
of his party for the Presidency, while
Mr.. Bryan, with his usual arrogance,
assumes that there is no question as to
his nomination.
Since Secretary TAFT wrote his letter
to Senator Burrows, enough votes have
been pledged to insure his nomination
when the national convention assem-
bles. On the other hand, Mr.. Bryan
has not yet secured the necessary
number Of delegates to make his nom
ination sure. Behind Secretary TAFT
stands we'll organized party, united
in his support the moment the wires
click his nomination to the people Of
the country. Mr.. Bryan will go into
the Denver convention with his party
divided, and his nomination will not
unite the two factions The Nebraska
man does not possess the confidence Of
his own party, and Ill the graad sand
plays he can possibly make prior to Or
after the convention viii not strenRth.
en- him With tie people or unite IN his
support the discordant eleaeah claim-
ing allegiance to tie Deooeratic
party.