The Washington herald., 1910-07-27

Grand Island, Nebr., July 26.-Twelve
years ago William J. Bryan prevented
Representative C. NJ. Hitchcock Of oma-
ha, from being appointed United States
Senator from Nebraska. This afternoon
Bryan stood on one side Of the big tent
in which the Democratic state convention
is being held and heard Hitchcock intro
duce the resolution which sent the once
peerless leader into political oblivion.
AS The vote which depcsed Bryan from
leadership Of the party which he has
maintained for twenty years was slowly
taken, Mr.. Bryan sat without moving a
muscle. his mouth tightly closed. but there
we're small beads Of perspiration on his
forehead When the result was an
nounced and a tremendous round Of ap-
plause followed Mr.. Bryan folded his
arms and looked about him.
Cheered by Home Delegates
When Bryan was seen coming down
the aisle, none cheered him save those
from his home delegation. His attempt
at a spectacular entrance completely
failed From his seat among the Lincoln
delegation. he sat and saw the eonven-
| ton organized against MIN.
c. J. Smythe, a Bryan supporter since
/ Bryan ran for Congress. was made
chairman Chris Guenther. organizer of
Bryan volunteers in the last campaign.
was chosen secretary. The resolutions all
| adverse to Bryan men were rammed
/ through the convention at lightning
! speed Official after official was chosen.
! and whenever a 3ryan man was named
he was quickly opposed by a candidate
backed by the opposition The Bryan
man was beaten and the opposition man
elected.
During a recess lasting more than an
hour. different Democratic leaders were
called upon 10 address the meeting. Each
speaker was greeted with applause, but
not one call was heard for Bryan.
Not Made Chairman.
The chairman named committee or
| resolutions. Bryan's was the second name
read. but because Of being second. Mr.
Bryan was not made chairman. The
other members Of the committee are al
welI-known anti-Bryan men
Then came the hardest blow Of the az
ternoon G. NJ. Hitchcock, once turned
down by Bryan for the Senate. arose and
/ introduced a resolution aimed directly al
Bryan, and having for its object a par
tial gag rule over the speeches Of th'
Great Commoner." In a moment
Bryan was on his feet, and announced
that he would fight that resolution. Hi
followers cheered as he introduced al
amendment, and the vote was taken
Bryan lost and the convention went wild
Talks for Two Hours.
After Mr.. Bryan and his plank ha,
been turned down in the committee. Mr.
Bryan made a minority report, and 70
two hours his voice rang through IN
great tent clear as a bell, as he pleade,
with his old friends not to repudiate him
not TO send him into oblivion, but at IA
same time offering to relinquish his lead
ership of the party rather than 10 b
forced 10 support a platform in whicl
county option is not O plank Bryan
plank was short and to the point. 1t FOL
lows
eve favor county option as the bes
method of dealing with the liquor ques
ton"
After closing his great speech, Nj
! Bryan sat TO one side and listened 60 IN
} most bitter attacks ever heard in a Ne
braska convention. Delegate after dele
: gate. old time leaders and former friend
of Mr.. Bryan, rose and accused him an
his measure. and defended their ow
r course.
] The vote was: Against Bryan, 647; 70
F, Bryan, 195.
Long after midnight. after the debate
] were over and the delegates tired OF
{ came the vote which brought defeat t
e Bryan, and as he himself suggeste,
forced him 10 relinqulsh the leadershi
= Of the party and pledged the Democrat
l party against county option. Mr.. Brya
e would make no statement tonight, bl
VII do sO in a few da7-S