Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1910-07-26
coMMoNER At NEBRASKA CON-
vENTIoN PREPARED TO Bat
TIE FOR OPTION PLANK.
CRUCIAL CONTEST ON
FOR NEBRASKA LEADERSHIP
Republicans Of Nebraska Also Wrest-
ling With County Option Question,
With Senator Brown and Norris
Leading Two Factions - Politics
Holds Nebraska Stage.

Grand Island. Neb., July 26.-Dele-
gates gathered early about the tent
where the democratic state platform
convention is being held today. The
presence Of w. J. Bryan and the bellel
that he was to make one of the most
notable speeches of his career in what
is regarded as crucial contest for his
political leadership also served to draw
hundreds of spectators.
With the arrival of Bryan all the
dominant figures Of the convention are
on the scene. Mayor Dahlman. OF
Omaha, now arrayed against his form
er political leader in the pending coun-
ty option contest, headed large dele
CATION from Omaha today. which lloyd
ly proclaimed the candidacy Of Mayor
Dahlman as the successor to Governor
Shallenberger. The headquarters OF
Congressman Hitchcock, OF Omaha,
and Richard l.. Metcalf, OF London,
candidates for nomination for senator.
were crowded during the morning and
much partisan feeling was evinced,
altho the convention will take no ac-
tion on the candidates. for state and
national offices.
Platform tho Big Question.
Save for the probable endorsement
of the administration Of Governor
Shallenberger, the convention will con-
fine its efforts to drafting and endors-
ing a platform on which the party will
make the campaign in the state this
year. 1t was indicated early that the
fvot ne
tion will be made permanent and that
Constantine ]. Smythe. OF Omaha, as
temporary chairman, would deliver the
keynote speech OF the convention.
Conferences OF democratic leaders
during the might were attended by sew
eral populist delegates, whose conver/.
tion also Will be held here today, and
efforts to adopt platform pIanks that
will not conflict radically were made.
| It was deemed probable, however. by
the populst leaders that the county
option feature would be stunned by
tho larger convention and would be
one OF the populist planks.
Bryan Beaten Two to One.
Fight for supremacy. with quarter
neither given nor asked, between the
former followers of Bryan and their
OllS llIllo lCStGcH WAS llc SlludllOH
scented when the democratic conven-
ton was called to order. County op-
ton was the issue that divided the
delegates. and the insistence Of Bryan
that county option plank be inserted
in the platform was combatted by a
Majority Of almost two to one. Bryan
refused to listen to the advice Of
friends, and those opposing the op
ton plank stood against granting any
concessions to him on the question,
and it was apparent that the longtime
dem ocratic leader was to meet his
first defeat at the hands OF the Ne
braska democrats. This was the sit
uaior when the convention openedanS
indications were the contest would car
ry the convention into a night session.
Bryan Stands Pat.
Feeling among the delegates that
Bryan might adopt a conciliatory at
titude in the face Of a decisive major
ity opposed to his county option views
and might acquiesce in placing the
question later before the legislature
for final decision, received no encour-
agement from Bryan or his adherents.
1t was indicated that in his speech on
the floor Of the convention he would
place the matter squarely before the
delegates. Governor Shallenberger was
anxious the convention endorse the en-
forcement Of law, while Mayor Dahl
man and his followers were even more
desirous that no endorsement be given.
A Word for Bryan.
c. j. Smythe, temporary chairman
of the democratic state convention, in
his address to the delegates, said in
part:
There never was a time in the his
tory OF onr country when. the people
were more anxious to accept democra-
tic principles than at the present NOM
ent The mask has been torn from the
republican party by some OF the purest
and best OF it's own nembers. For
years that party has masqueraded as
the friend Of the people and has de-
but no one who desires to know the
truth may be deceived any longer"
Referring to William ]. Bryan. but
without mentioning his name, Mr.
Smyth said: IN considering the great
questions that may come before US to-
day, let us be tolerant OF each others
views. Impute unworthy motives to no
one except on the most conclusive
proof. Deny to no man that liberty Of
opinion which you claim for yourself
It may be necessary today for some Of
us to refuse to follow leadership
which .for almost twenty years has
given lustre to our party in the state
and tho nation. II 1t should, let no
man, ssys that It argues any abatement
in the esteem OF him who emhodies
that leadership. When this convention
shall have adjourned our differences. I
an sure, W1ll be forgotten, and We will
all fail fntd our acoustsmed places, the
&c: -: IN his and the subordinates in
theirs. to tight for our platform and our
party"
Concluding he said: This conven-
tion dees not end things. T9iere is a
hard campaign ahead, no matter what
views prevail today. THIS staAs.ln its