Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1910-07-28
BRYAN GOES DOWN
FIGHTING BEFORE
A DOUBLE COMBINE
Victory Was Almost in Reach of
Commoner in His Single
Handed Fight.

Grand Island, Neb. July 29.-Ne-
braska democrats last night wrested
the leadership Of their state OrganiZa-
ton from William ]. Bryan on the is
sue Of county option. BY decisive
votes they registered their unbelief in
his present policies after listening to
an impassiOned appeal from Mr. Bryan,
who declared the liquor interests were
In an organized attempt to secure poll
teal control of the state. The minor
ity plank submitted by Mr.. Bryan was
brief, and his opponents declared ii
was an effort to reCede from his former
radical attitude. But the work ers
against the county option plank were
unappeased and stood firmly against it.
Bryan Plank Rejected.
The attitude of many Of Mr.. Bryan's
former lieutenants toward him was
eVinCed in the speeches Of several who
addressed the convention after him.
His reference to "assassins" in the
party was frequently referred to, and
as each speaker denounced his present
position the cheers of the delegates
showed that the speech Of Mr.. Bryan
had been ineffectual. The vote on
which his county option plank was re-
JcCted was not taken until after mid
night 1t was decidedly against the
measure Mr. Bryan made no comment
after the vote, and in answer to ques-
ttons referred to his speech. in which
he proclaimed his fealty to the demo-
cratic party and it's platform.
Amid tumult Of cheers from the
former followers of William J. Bryan,
Permanent Chairman Smyth. of the
democratic platform convention, read
the result of a test vote of the gather
ing which practically took from Mr.
Bryan the democratic leadership of
NphT9 "a Ia n tai N
20 years.
The vote came on a motion offered
by Congressman @. NJ. Hitchcock, a
candidate for the senatorial nominal
ton. and in effect was to eliminate the
Introduction of platform planks, with
accompanying speeches, unless sub
mitted as a section of the majority or
the minority report Of the committee
on resolutions.
Complain of Gag Rule.
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 that intent of the origi-
nal motion. A dozen delegates made
as many motions and heated speeches
on the subject the Bryan adhercnts
denounCing the Hitchcock motto as
gag rule" and their opponents dc,.dr-
ing that individual rule" must not
Smyth ordered a roll call on the
amendment, ard the gathering was
silent as the vote of the counties was
counted that would determine the
Bryan strength.
Hitchcock Wins His Point.
When tWO-thirds had been called for,
Mr.. Bryan realized he was defeated
and wave of cheers that drowned the
roll call began. AS Chairman Smyth
read the result-465 against the
amendment and 484 in favor of 1.-THE
delegates sought 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
then was adopted.
The convention came to order in a
tent packed with perspiring delegates
and surrounded by throngs Of spCCta-
tors eager to hear the oratoricaI battle
that had been predicted. Instead of
calling for the oratOry the delegates
began to speed up the action of the
convention to gait that promised to
transform an anticipated long drawn
out contest TO brief and busy sessions.
Bryan on Committee.
The Temporary O ganization was
made permanent and Chairman Smyth,
after a brief speech, selected a com
mittCe on resolutions. Mr.. Bryan was
among the first two Of the committee
of seven named. Congressman Hitch
cock here made his motion to restrict
discussion. The opponents of Mr.. Bry-
an asserted that If Individual intro
duction of platform planks were to be
permitted, with 2 speech or speeches
on each one, it would materially delay
the progress of the body. While they
asserted their willingness that he
should speak on the minority reDort
which necessary n h.,
action, the motion practically prohibit
ed any other speech from him in the
convention.
Governor and Jim Speak.
While the committee on resolutions
was drafting its report Governor Shall
lenberger and Mayor Dahlman. of
Omaha, rivals for the nomination for
governor, addressed the convention and
hurled verbal shafts at each other. The
Omaha mayor said he welcomed a fight
in the convention, as a trip OF several
hundred miles to harmonious gather
ing was not worth the expenditure of
car fare.
Governor Shallenberger also asserted
his eagerness for a discussion on the
Endorsement of the q. light closing
law, the operation of which had been
attacked by Mayor Dahlman and his
followers. The governor also promised
the delegates that If elected, togeth
er with a democratic legislature, he
would give them opportunity, through
executive action. to settle the saloon
question definitely.
The convention took a recess until s
o'clock last night awaiting the com
mittee on resolutions.
Patrick Champions Bryan.
Discussions among the membership
of the resolutions committee DELAYED
the presentation of the divergent re-
ports until long after the hour at which
they were to report at the evening ses-
sion. A disorderly crowd that packed
the tent. preventing many of the dele
gates from occupying their seats. also
delayed the proceedings.
The differences of the Shallenberger
and Dahlman factions on minor points
OF the platform did not prevent a solid
front by them against the county option
issue, of which Mr.. Bryan was the only
sponsor.
At the opening of the evening session
former Senator w. r. Patrick, the Bry-
an candidate for governor, took the
platform and openly defied the oppo-
&c - I1E-xyn Il