The Norfolk weekly news-journal. (Norfolk, Neb.) 1900-19??, 1910-02-18
SPLITS NEBRASKA DEMOCRATS.
Bryan's Edict Has Effect of Tearing
Party to Pieces

Party to Pieces.
Omaha, Feb. 1.-THE declaration of
William j. Bryan for county option as
the best and most logical method of
regulating the liquor traffic in Nebras-
ka has brought the democratic party
of the state to the parting of the ways.
1t is conceded that the Bryan follow
ing, whatever it may, will start out on
trail that heretofore has been UNI
blazed by any large portion of the Ne.
braska democrats, while large num-
Der of the leaders and goodly portion
of the rank and file will follow the well
trodden path of the past, on which are
numerous guide posts, all emblazoned
with the words, 1--WE are advocates of
personal liberty"
While the declaration of Mr.. Bryan
was not wholly unexpected when it
did come it sent SILVER up and down
the spine of the entire party of the
state, and, according to the leaders of
both factions, it has caused a split that
is bound to grow wider as time passes
and ultimately disrupt Nebraska de-
mocracy. 1t has suddenly brought two
new party leaders into the limelight,
and to them the members Of the two
factions are looking for relief and So
lace.
With Bryan out SQuarely for county
option, Richard L. Metcalfe, editor of
the Bryan paper, becomes the Bryan
mouthpiece and the man who is to
shape up and outline the Bryan plan
of campaign. On the other hand, the
Bryan declaration suddenly elevates
James c. Dahlman, mayor Of Omaha.
to the position of Moses to lead the
what he designates as "the wilderness
into which Bryan would conduct the
democrats"
For several months, and in fact be-
fore Mr.. Bryan departed on his South
American trip, Metcalfe has been
sounding the democratic leaders in
the different counties of the state, as
pertaining how they and the people
generally feel with reference to the
county option question. While the ex-
pressions of sentiment have been di-
vided, he has discovered that in the
larger towns there is a large proper
ton who are opposed to the move pre-
ferring the high license plan in the fu-
ture as in the past. In the country he
finds that the sentiment Is almost uni
versally in favor of wiping out the sa-
looms. They contend that this is the
only thing that will forestall and put
off statewide prohibition, which they
years.
James c. Dahlman, who now has the
right to be recognized as the leader of
the anti-county-option faction of the
democratic party, does not believe that
the new position assumed by Mr.. Bry-
an can be carried through at the COM
ing election. In discussing the propo.
sition, he says that the Bryan move
ment will win over some republicans,
but he will lose a great number of dem.
ocrats who have been his supporters /
on every measure that he has hereto
fore advocated, adding:
"Our party is composed very largely |
of the so.called liberal element, and
men with that belief will not follow |
Mr.. Bryan, or anybody else, into the
camp of the county optionists. l shall
positively maintain my position and
do all I can to defeat any such propo.
sition."
The position taken by Mr.. Bryan has
had the result of fracturing all of the
political states that have heretofore
been made and no man, no matter how
wise he may be. can tell Just what
markings are upon them.
In the democratic camp the Bryan