Omaha daily bee., 1909-03-04

into a rage because the legislature intended
to authorize acceptance OF Carnegie PEN
slons for the University OF Nebraska teach
ers. But Mr.. Bryan seemed very happy
when a dear friend left him $4,000 by will.
There seems to be a great difference be-
tween a gift and a pension in Mr.. Bryan's
mind. which the ordinary mortal is unable
to distinguish.
Syracuse Journals: MIR. Bryan may have
lost some Of his admirers after the man
ner in which he slde-stepped the question
of county option and woman suffrage was
made known, but we presume he made
up the loss from other quarters. Anyway
the people know that he does not favor
these propositions, or he would not have
refused to discuss them In his address
before the Joint session last Thursday.
Kearney Hub: County optionists were
pretty certain hat Bryan would say some
thing about county option when he ad-
dressed the two houses OF his legislature
on Wednesday, but nary a word dropped
from the fountain of eloquence regarding
this paramount issue which is creating d.
versions among democrats as well as re-
publicans. Optltionists therefore have the
political option OF holding him responsible
for what he leaves unsaid, and considering
his conspicuous initiation into the order of
Eagles, 1t Is not to be believed that he
will do or say anything to ALLEVIATE the
members and friends Of that influential
order.
York Times: The Omaha Bee criticises
Mr.. Bryan because when he was telling the
legislature what laws they should pass
and which ones they must kill he said
nothing in behalf of labor. This was a
leading feature of both the democratic ma
tlonal and state platforms and the desired
effect was attained when the state went
democratic. What sense would there be in
advocating purely votecatching schemes
after the votes are cast? Mr.. Bryan wisely
reserves his fire until the approach of an
other battle. Then he will feed labor fat
on such light food as he has been doing
out to 1t for years.
Aurora Sun: We have always had great
confidence in Mr.. Bryan and still firmly
believe him to be not only a man OF great
ability and eloquence, but also a man of
strict Christian principles. But we do not
see why in the great speech he made last
week to the Legislature, he did not deal
with the greatest question before the people
OF Nebraska, namely, the county option
issue. So great is the influence he could
WELD that taken with that of Governor
Shallenberger, he could probably turn the
balance 10 the county option side. 1t was a
splendid opportunity for him to assert his
Christian manhood and principles at a
time when such assertion was sorely
needed. But he did not see fit to take the
stand. AS we do not know his reasoning
In the matter we will not Judge him., but
we are distinctly disappointed.
Hastings Tribune: William J. Bryan
responded to the invitation issued to him
to speak before a joint session of the
Nebraska legislature and in doing so he
volunteered but little Information for the
benefit of the audience. Mr.. Bryan scored
the Carnegie pension fund and made a
strong appeal for its defeat. pleaded for
the legislature to enact the bill compelling
the publication of campaign contributions
before elections; defended the physical
valuations of railroads and concluded by
approving the guarantee as drafted by the
banking committee. The fact that Mr..
Bryan lodged the county option issue
makes II more patent than ever that he
has no intention of committing himself on
this important question, which is soon Ia
be threshed out in the Legislature. Nc
doubt this is what Mr.. Bryan would call
diplomacy.
Grand Island Independent: As many
OF us see 1t there is at least
one thing worse than the legallzed and
regulated traffic in liquors. 1t IL the H.
legal and unregulated traffic. And exper,
fence, so far, would seem TO show thai
where there is not the one, there is gen.
orally the other. This depends largely upon
the size of a community and the makeup
of its citizenship. And that lie why Mr.
Bryan and many even more practicable
and experienced statesmen are, we believe
right when they regard II as a local ques,
uon' to be government in accordance with
the wish of the majority of citizens OF
such community. In any case the minority
ought to abide by and respect the decree
OF the majority. And, always-if we wan
to do the right thing-we should try tc
look at IT about as our neighbors look al
1t, and aim for a better understanding witt
each other.
Kearney Hub: without considering the
the merits OF the Carnegie pension scheme
for university professors, II would certainly
strike an unbiased juror that w. J. Bryan
is stopped from appearing in opposition tC
Its acceptance by the state. Mr.. Bryan IL
down In black and white in favor of Carne
gle money for the Lincoln public library. II
the Carnegie pension money is tainted, ther
how much less faint is there on the Carnegie
library money? In the latter instance how
many thousands upon thousands of young
people-and others-are insidiously led e
believe that Carnegie is a great menefactol
after the legend. Carnegie Library" hal
appeared to their eyes over and over again
As a matter of fact, the Huh believes tina
1t Is not good public policy to accept pTl
vate donations for libraries or schools o.
institutions maintained by public taxation
The people are able to pay for what the!
l, need, and will appreciate their institution.
all the more for having made personal sac
: rifices to insure them. The proper avenu,
for the disbursement of swollen fortune
. IL In private benefactions and for the en-
? dowment Of humanitarian Institutions tina
do not derive revenue from public taxation
, The question is not so much a moral
. one as IT In a question Of expediency.
a Duty Deferred.
Springfield Republican.
The house decides that the hulk Of tn
Maine need not be raised; or rather a con
20 gresham named Douglas, who took adj