The Washington times., 1909-09-16
New Thought" Men of Both
Parties in Middle West
Drawing to Him.
SPLIT OVER TARIFF
CAUSE OF 1T ALL
Nebraska Republicans Aroused
Over Stand Their Men in
Congress Took.
By ]. c. wELLIvER.

By J. C. wELLIvER.
Day-by-day developments in Nebraska
politics are paving the way for William
Jennings Bryan toward the United
states Senate. Likewise. there is be-
ing strengthened the force which is ex-
pected to compel Mr.. Bryan to mako
the Senatorial race, whether he wishes
to do so or not
These conclusions are drawn from va
rious contributions OF Nebraska infor-
nation, which come to Washington from
various sources. They represent a sum-
mary Of Republican and Democratic
advices alike, which agree, in the main,
that Nebraska would give Bryan a
larger majority for Senator than it
gave him year ago for President, and
would give 1t against anybody the Re-
publicans could name.
Increasing assurance that the Bryan
personality viii be projected into the
campaign next year has caused a va
rlety Of sensations among politicians,
both Democrats and Republicans alike.
Just at present. Mr.. Bryan is in the
South, making trouble for Senator Ball
ey OF Texas. whose denunciation Of the
doctrine of free raw material has arous-
ed the Ire Of the Nebraskan.
Democrats in the Senate are never
enthusiastic when they discuss the prob
abilities Of Bryan becoming one Of their
number. II II were left TO a. secret hall
lot OF the caucus he would be defeated
by an overwhelming majority. He
nnaGnff
easy-going Senators who, comfortably
IN control Of the situation IN their own
states and secure in their seats. have
seen no prospect for national better
ment Of their partys situation through
Bryan and are certain that II Bryan
should become a Senator he would force
some records on questions decidedly en-
barrassing to Democrats of the old
school
Coming Bryan's Way.
But out in Nebraska, according to
the reports. things are coming Mr..
Bryans way, perhaps faster than he
himself would wish. There are a good
many sincere friends OF Bryan who
doubt If he really wants TO 20 to the
Senate at this time They doubt
whether he would be able to maintain
his position as a national leader from
Senate seat, with all its responsible
ties, 50 well as be can do from the
outside But they agree, with an en-
pnasis that Is proportionate to their
Information on Nebraskan conditions,
that Bryan viii be practically forced
10 make the race. Not only his own
party III Nebraska demands ii, but the
militant independent Republicans Of
the middle West are bringing a curious
and unprecedented sentimental pressure
Hnran TElF
State that somehow, regardless Of
party, II owes the country the duty Of
sending Bryan 70 Washington. An
Illustration Of this situation was re-
Gently given by the conversation of
two Nebraska Republicans with some
friends they had met In a summer re-
sort.
rs Mr. Bryan coming TO the Senate
next year?' they were asked.
Yes. he probably will replied the
Nebraskans.
the Presidential racer" was the next
question
Stronger Than Way.
on replied one OF the Nebraskans.
he'll be stronger than he was as a
Presidential candidate. You see, all the
independent Republicans around us are
constantly egging on their Republican
friends In Nebraska 70 support Bryan
full at Washington, and ali that sort
Of thing. We are assured that II Bryan
lived IN our State we'd send him. The
breaking down Of party lines IN the
middle West has done away with the
ola party prejudice against Bryan. The
people who have been making the radi-
cal tights IN States like Iowa and Wis
consiu and Kansas feel that he proper
IS belongs 20 the group OF men like La
Toilette aud Bristow and Cummins, who
o q HF |HHa DID NHrF Hfa
they just naturally want 90 see him, TOO,
60 You viii be surprised 10 see how
much effect this sentimental pressure
from outside will have when u comes
10 the Nebraska election
And II turned out on further inquiry
that both these two Republicans We're
going 70 support Bryan
Senator Elmer J. BuTkett or Nebraska
is the Republican who viii have TO de-
TEND his title 10 a seat against Bryan
next year. Burkett voted for the tar
ia bill. Here IS an excerpt from a let
ter written by a widely known Nebraska
Republican 10 a friend IN Washington:
Public Is Aroused.
You can certainly have no i6ea of
the aroused condition Of public saEtj-
ment regarding the tariff bin and the
conduct Of the Nebraska delegation
You have no opportunity to hear
fervent 'cuss' words bestowed on both
our Senators and on an the Republican
Congressman except Norris. Did YOU
hear Of any rOusing reception being ac-
corded any Of them when they returned
homer. Why, the feeling here is so
chilly, that even Burkett notices it, He
has lost his customary Cheerfulness and
seems worried
Immediately after Senator Burkett re-
turned home, following the passage of
the tariff BILL G.. Q. WhedOu, Of Lincoln. !
the leading Republican lawyer OF the
town and a very prominent politician,
challenged Burkett 20 a joint debate on
the tarim The question would have been
in substance whether the Nebraska Sen
ators did right or wrong In voting for
the bin. Burkett declined the challenge
on the ground that Il would only serve
10 stir up dissengiOn in the party at a
time when there was every reason 20
strive for united action. The rejection
Of the challenge didn't please the peo-
pie generally, who were Tor the debate.
There was suspicion for time that
Whedon had designs Of being a candi-
date for the Senate against Burkett;
but this has proved, thus far. TO be
without foundation.
They are surely keeping case on
their Senators and Representatives IN
these insurgent Western states From
the same letter already quoted IS taken
this extract.
Brown voted siXty-five times against
Aldrich and hfty-siX times with him in
the tariff contest, or SO per cent against.
IL 800 a rHHna Ia