The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1910-07-27
DETHRONED.
AFTER REIGN OF
TWENTY YEARS
His Leadership Repudiated by
Nebraska Democrats
CHEERS FOR HIS DOWNFALL
Peerless One Lost on Test Of
Strength in State Convention
Yesterday

Grand Island, Neb, July PIPER
manent Chairman Smyth Of the Neb-
raska democratic convention, amid a
tumult Of cheers from the former fol-
lowers of William j. Bryan read yes
terday the result of a test vote of the
gathering practically taking from Mr..
Bryan the democratic leadership of
Nebraska which he has maintained
for nearly 20 years. The vote came
on motion made by Congressman G.
NJ Hitchcock, a candidate for the SEN
atorial nomination, and in effect was
to eliminate the introduction of plat
form planks. with accompanying
speeches, unless submitted as a sec
ton OF the majority or minority re-
port of the committee on resolutions.
Mr.. Bryan, seated as a member Of
the Lancaster county delegation was
upon his feet at once with a protest,
and proffered an amendment that
would modify the original motion A
dozen delegates made as many mot
ions and heated speeches on the sub
iect the Bryan adherents denouncing
the Hitchcock motion as gag rule,
end their opponents asserting that
individual rule" must not prevail in
{ the convention.
Chairman Smyth ordered a roll
call on the amendment and the gath
ering was silent as the vote of the
counties that would determine the
strength Of Mr. Bryan was called.
I When two-thirds had been called fees
OF Mr.. Bryan realized that he was
/ defeated, and a wave OF cheers that
drowned the roll call began. As
4 Chairman Smyth finally read the re-
+ suit. i65 against the amendment TO
S9i in favor OF IT, the delegates
sounded a fresh volume of cheers that
seemed to indicate their relief from
the uncertainty that had existed as
to the strength which Mr. Bryan
might develop IN the convention. The
original motion OF Mr. Hitchcock was
then adopted
The convention came TO order In a
tent packed with perspiring delegates
and surrounded by throngs OF specta-
tors eager 10 hear the oratorlcal bat
lie that had been predicted Instead
of calling for the oratory the dele
gates began to speed up the action OF
the convention TO a gait that promis-
ed TO limit the contest 10 two brief
and busy sessions. the temporary
organization was made permanent
and Chairman Smyth after a brief
speech. selected a committee on res
. nfmffanH AZ Of L..
first OF the committee OF seven nam
ed
Congressman Hitchcock then made
D. his motion TO restrict discussion. The
opponents OF Mr. Bryan asserted that
II individual introduction OF platform
planks had been permitted with a
speech or speeches on each one ID
would have materially delayed the
program OF the body. While they as
serted their willingness that ne
should speak on the minority report
which Il was expected would be offer
ed. the action practically opposed any
other speech from him In the conven
ton.
While the committee on resolution,
was drafting its report Gov. Shallen
berger and Mayor Dahlman OF Oma
. ha, rivals for the nomination for gov
) ernor, addressed the convention an,
! hurled verbal shafts az each other
! The Omaha mayor said he welcome,
! a fight In the convention rs trll
f.. of several hundred miles 10 a harmo
NOUS gathering was not worth the eN
penditure Of car fare. Gov. Shallen
berger also asserted his eagcrncs
for a battle and announced his will
ingness TO stand for election on IN
: Endorsement OF the daylight closin
law, the operation of which had bee
p attacked by Mayor Dahlman and hi
p followers. The Governor also prom
!. Used the delegates that II reelected 1
y gether with democratic legislator
4 no would give them opportunlt
r through legislative action. to settl
!. the saloon question definitely.