The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1908-07-22
CANDIDATES WANT MONEY,
BRYAN AND KERN ISSUE APPEAL
TO FARMERS.
The First Subscription Mas Made b.,
an Iowa Farmer, Formerly Re-
publican, Who Gives 500 for Cam.
paign Fund-Isryan on Brownsville
Affair.

Fairview, Lincoln, Neb., July IT,
Following his declaration Of yesterday
to the Baltimore Sun that he had moi
discussed the Brownsville affair OIL
the question Of the appointment o.
negroes to office. W. ]. Bryan today
announced that he did not wish to be
misunderstood. He said he did no
mean to convey the impression tina
he had never talked about the Browns
vile case In any manner, but that he
had not discussed it as an issue in the
present campaign. While he had no.
read the evidence bearing on tina,
subject, he recalled an editorial writ.
ten by him two years ago, in which
he made the frank assertion, If the
facts were as stated. President Roose-
velt was fully justified in his course.
Visitors to the Bryan home were
less numerous today than on yester-
day The principal caller was John
E. Lamb, Of Indiana, but he declined
to make any statement as to the sub
ject Of his conversation.
Tonight Mr.. Bryan went in to Lin
coin to attend a masonic meeting and
two hours afterwards received at his
home large delegation from the 10.
cal Central Labor union.
The first appeal for campaign con-
tributions by the Democratic candi-
dates for the presidency and the
vice presidency was issued today, d.
rected to the farmers of the country.
1t is as follows:
ITO the Farmers Of the United States:
THE first contribution made to the
Democratic campaign fund this year,
so far as we know, was made by an
Iowa farmer. Just before the Denver
convention met this man, who mo odest-
ly prefers not to have his name men.
toned, journeyed more than 100 miles
to Lincoln with his contribution Of
500. which he left with Mr. Bryan to
ganized for the campaign.
This farmer was born in Sweden
and for some time after he was nat
uralized was a member OF the Repub-
lican party But he was student Of
public questions and In the courses Of
time became a Democrat. To mani
fest his deep interest in the success
of the party and the triumph of DEM
ocratic principles he made this free
will Offering to the campaign fund.
1T Is very appropriate that this first
should come from that
great body OF our population known
as agriculturists. The farmer has
nothing to gain by privilege and
his hope is in the appli-
cation Of the doctrine of equal rights
to all and special privileges to none.
He has been the victim Of all special
legislation and has suffered from con-
troll Of politics by the great predatory
Now that the Demo-
cratic party has announced its deter
mination not to accept contributions
from corporations and not to accept
excessive contributions even from in
and to publish all contribut-
ions when over q reasonable minimum
1t ought to be able to secure a srf-
flcient sum from the citizens who ask
from the government nothing but
protection Of their rights and con-
sideration for the general welfare
There are hundreds of thousands Of
farmers who are abundantly able to
to the campaign fund.
There are thousands who could give
500 apiece without feeling It: there
are ten Of thousands who could give
$50 apiece without sacrifice and still
more could give $25 or $40 or IS.
"As the national committee has not
yet been organized We will ask The
Commoner to call for subscriptions
to this farmers fund. Those giving
may indicate whether they are wiling
to have their names mentioned and If
the contribution Is not more than 800
their wishes will be complied with. All
contributions above 500 must be
made known, no matter from whom
they come.
"The farmers fund will be turned
over to the national committee as
soon as its permanent officers have
been elected. Who will be the first
to respond? The Denver convention
was peoples convention; it adopted
strong. clear honest platform and
It's nominations were made with prac-
tically unamininity. Our fight is a fight
for the whole people. Our aim is