The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-09-21
BRYAN KGCkS OVER.
Bolts Head of Nebraska Democratic
Ticket Because of Prohibition.

Lincoln. Neb., Sept 21.-In state
ment in which he declares that. the
crusade which he feels compelled
to wage against the liquor interests of
the state and nation overshadowS
personal and political friendship of
20 years, William ]. Bryan last even
ing announced he had bolted the head
of the Democratic state ticket in Ne
braska, and would not support James
c. Dahlman for governor.
Mr.. Bryan says he regrets he is
compelled to take the stand he does
his first departure from political
regularity-but says he feels it is his
duty to do so because of the position
taken by the Democratic nominee on
the liquor question.
The statement, which, in way, is
apologize in tone, does not indicate
that Mr.. Bryan will support the can
didate of any other party, but an
nounceS that he is q pronounced ad-
vocate of county option and the early
closing saloon law, both of which he
insists are menaced by Mr.. Dahlman's
candidacy. The statement is as fol-
lows.
II am leaving for Missouri and shall
be absent practically all of the time
for about a month campaigning in
Missouri, Kansas, Iowa, Indiana and
Illinois. After that 1 shall be at lib
erty to speak for Mr.. Hitchcock. the
Democratic candidate for congress,
and for the state ticket in Nebraska.
In speaking for the state ticket, how
ever. 1 shall not be able to present any
arguments in favor of the election of
Mr.. Dahlman. His position on the
liquor question makes that impossible.
I regret this exceedingly, for he has
been a political and personal friend
for 20 years, and it would give me
pleasure to speak for him if 1 could
he stands
but he has chosen to make the liquor
question the paramount issue and
makes his appeal on that issue.
I'm spite of the fact that the last
Democratic state convention voted
down a declaration against county op-
ton by a vote of 63S to 202. he says
that he will veto a county option bill
if passed, and in spite of the fact that
the state convention endorsed the s
o'clock closing law by vote of 10 to
1853, he announces that he will sign
a bill repeating it if such a bill is
passed. He is making his appeal on
non-partisan lines with the liquor
question as the sole issue. His cour-
age is to be commended. 1t is an
honest way of making a campaign,
although it compels him to separate
himself from friends who do not agree
with him and to rely for speech max
ing upon those Democrats and Repub-
licans who take his view of the SUBJ
ject.
Possibly it is just as we'll to have
the issue clearly presented so that it
may be settled this year instead of
two years hence. Trou blesome as
the question is now, it would be even
more embarrassing if presented in
1912. when we have a presidential
election on hand.
IF Mr.. Dahlman is elected it will
be a declaration of the voters of the
state against county option and
against the s o'clock closing law. If
he is defeated. it will be declaration
in favor of county option and in favor
of the 8 o'clock closing law. In 9TH
portunity to decide whether the state
shall go backward or forward on the
liquor question. The present argu-
ments in favor of going backward
would not only contradict what I
have always said on the subject, but
1 expect to make hereafter to save
our party from the odium of being
the representative of the liquor inter-
eSts.'
DahIman Is Defiant.
Omaha. Sept. 21.-Mayor James c.
Dahlman, Democratic candidate for
governor, last night hurled defiance
at William J. Bryan, who gave out
statement that he would not support
the mayor in his gubernatorial cam
paign. In many respects the mayors
statement is more forcible than elo-
quent, and he closes with the declara-
ton that they will find out they have
got hold of the wrong end of red
hot poker and will get the biggest
trimming that has been given in this
or any other state for many years."
The mayors statement follows:
Mr.. Bryan and l have been CO.
workers and friends, politically and
personal, for 20 years and during
that time l have never wavered at
any point along the line when his enc
mics assailed him, nor when he was a
candidate for office.
The position 1 take on the liquor
question is purely Democratic, and
follows the spirit of Democratic prin-
ciples. which stand at all times for
personal liberty and self government.
The party has always stood for per-
sonal liberty and that is why 1 am a
Democrat.
1.-The Slocum liquor law of our
state has been on the statute books for
80 years. 1t gives each city, town and
village the right to vote saloons in or
out. which means local self govern
ment. County option, which Mr.. Bry-
an is advocating, enlarges the unit
and takes from the people the right
of local self government
"Mr. Bryan and his friends try to
make it appear that this is a brewery
HSnl. Inc primary el0cL1On just nelQ
in Nebraska has demonstrated that
the people of our state, without regard
to vocation, farmers, merchants and
workingmen alike, have rallied to my
support and gave me the nomination
regardless of politics. because they
are opposed to Sumptuary laws.
ct regret exceedingly that Mr.. Bry-
an and myself must part company, for
a short time at least. When the votes
are counted November s, Mr.. Bryan,
the county optionist, and all of the
people who are trying to force sump-
tuary laws on the citizens of this state,
will find out they have got hold of the
wrong end of a red hot poker, because
we will give them the biggest trim
ming which has been given in this or
any other state in several decades"
GALLAGER MAY SWEAT.