Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1910-07-25
CommonerS Former Strong
Supporters in Home State
viii Give Him Fight of His
Life in Convention.
NEBRASKA DEMOCRATS TO
OPEN SESSION TOMORROW
Crucial Test of Peerless Lead
er'S Influence in Own Ball
wick viii Come up This
Week.


IBy Morning JonrnaI speeial Lsases wireI
Grand Island, Neb July 24--Demo-
Gratis of Nebraska will hold their
platform convention in this city Tues-
day and IL promises to he Of greater
interest than any gathering of the
kind held in this state for many years.
That there will be a contest TO secure
a county option plank in the platform
is admitted by every leader in the
democratic state organization. And
that contest will be carried on be-
tween leaders who heretofore have
graed IN every way on what demo-
cratic platforms should contain. viii.
liam j. Bryan, for the first time since
he took up the leadership of the dem
ocratic party, win be opposed by
former associates within his own state.
The fight for and against county
option has become on open one. Mr..
Bryan and his friends are actively en-
gagged in an attempt TO secure a coun,
Is option plank while Congressman
Hitchcock OF omaha and Mayor
James {. Dahlman also of that city
supported by Governor Shallenberger,
are equally active in an effort TO Sc
cure a declaration against such a
plan.
The situation is considered an un-
usual one because the men who at
present are most activeiy opposing
Mr.. BRYAN were formerly his strong
est supporters This condition, con-
sidered with the fact that the cam
paign for the selection II state tick
ct and the recommending of candi-
date for United States Senator has
taken on many different angles, has
given impetus TO the political struggle
in Nebraska seldom If ever before Wit
messed.
Congressman Hitchcock has been
for several months an avowed candl-
date for United States senator and has
been organizing his forces throughout
the state with view to securing the
support of the rank and file OF MS
party. He has stated his position as
being opposed to county option until
the people OF the state. under an IN
itiative and referendum law SHAH de-
clare specifically for II.
There is little doubt that the anti
county option men wilt -resent such u |
plank and that it will be heartily OPP
posed hv Mr. Bryan and his friends
Mr.. Bryan has always been given
place on the resolutions commlttee
when he attended state conventions
and his policies have always prevails
cd in the writing of platforms. That
no will be accorded the same courtesy
Of onpointment at Tuesdays conven-
ton is generally admitted. althoush II
10 believed there will be an over
whelming majority opposed to MN On
the question Of county option. II ~
now apparent that he will carry the
firht to the floor Of the convention
and there make plea for straight
county option plank. Six hundred of
the eight hundred delegates 10 the |
are either instructed or
are known 10 be opposed to such q |
plank ana extreme interest centers on
wbot effect Mr. Bryan's speech on the
floor will have on the ma
ioritv.
Richard !. Metcalfe. associated with
Mr.. Bryan in the publication Of the
latter's paper. announced his candi-
dacv for United States senator at the
fNNl moment ~ 'fHNHAAf'A w ''''
gresham Hitchcock. He has receiv-
ed the unqualified endorsement Of Mr..
BRYAN. who expresses the belief that
AIetcalfe can poll more votes than
anv other democrat. himself not ex-
cluded Both Bryan and Metcaife
were formerly employed by Mr.
Hitchcock. All three have been
closely associated In the politicni
world until now. and by many demo-
cratic leaders Il is believed the com
ing state convention will mark the
parting or the ways.
There stln remains In Nebraska
number 81 democrats
who allied themselves with the gold
wing" of the party fourteen years ago
and who have never become reconch-
ed 10 Mr.. Bryan's leadership. These
men have become strong partisans
with the leaders who are opposing Mr.
BRYAN at this time and have made ihel