Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1910-08-06
BRYAN AND THE SALOONS.

seldom, II ever In the history OF
western politics mas there been more
interesting situation than that which
now exists In Nebraska. Not only Is
It fun OF possibilities for RePubli-
cans and Democrats alike, but the
great forces Interested in the tenn
perance movement throughout the
United states are following develop
ments with equal concern.
At the present writing. affairs stand
on this footing: William J. Bryan for
years the master and the idol or
Democracy In the state, fell from his
leadership because he advocated coun-
~ option on the liquor question. The
convention was heavily against the
proposition. The Republican conven-
ton took an exactly different view and
endorsed the county option idea Mr.
Bryan announces that he Will go on
with the fight until county option
triumphs In the Democratic party. a
certain wing Of the Republican party
has opposed the Republican stand
and the interesting question now pre-
sents itself as to what attitude Mr.
Bryan will take on the platform dur
ing the fall campaign. one eastern
paper. The Washington Post, thinks
MIR. Bryan will yet land, bag and bag
gage, in the prohibition party
Mr. Bryan's stand elicits the
following words OF approval from
such stanch Republican paper as
the Nebraska city Press:
"wnliam J. Bryan has placed him
self on record as being unalterably OPP
posed 10 the Democratic party being
the tail-cnd OF a brewers procession.
worthy stand on the part Of any man,
whether he be Democrat or Republic
can. Mr. Bryan knows far better than
his most bitter enemies that the stand
he has taken Is one OF the most un-
popular moves man In public life
ever made. But II will soon be time
for Mr. Bryan to laugh, even as at this
present moment he has perfect right
10 smile. The Democratic party, In
order 10 he saved from the rocks of
party Ption. must cut loose from
the domination OF the liquor Interests.
The big leaders know Il, the press Is
talking II, and there are plenty Of
signs in the air that eventually Bryan
Will have been proved correct In his
statements The dav has passed when
any Intelligent body OF men can be
herded like sheep and be marched to
the polls and vote for a continuation
" a policy which has done so much
TO put politics I'm bad repute."
Mr.. Bryan's own views--and even
his enemies have never doubted the
rugged honesty OF his oplnions-are
thus set forth in his paper, THE
Commoner;
IF a man opposes county option be-
cause he Is afraid his county Will go
dry. he confesses that he IS interest
ed in defeating the will OF the ma
iority OF his county on this subject.
But suppose he says he is not afraid
OF his county going dry7 What II his
attitude them It Is that he Is not
content to have saloons in his own
county but insists upon forcing them
upon counties that do not want them.
Isn't this attempting too much? The
man who wants a saloon near him
but not too near--merely that he may
have n place TO drink. ought TO be
content with county option. The saloon
ia on the retreat; Il has enough TO do
70 get license anywhere-it will
overtax lts strength II II tries TO go
everywhere.
THE man who opposes county option
will have to meet tho question: Are
YOU fighting for saloons because you
want them in your county or because
YOU want 10 compel counties to permit
saloons against the viii Of the people?
Is Il self-interest or Interference
which ?"