New-York tribune., 1910-08-01
A MUzzLE FOR BRYAN
They Are Getting 1t Ready for
Him in Indiana.
BUT WILL HE WEAR IT?
Between the Brewery Interests
Devil and the Deep Blue Sea
of Local Option.
[Rv Telegraph to The Tribune. ]

| tBy Telegraph to The Tribune.I
! indianapolis. July 3t.-Have the Demo
! era is tied string to their proposed invi
| tation to Mr.. Bryan to take part in the In
diana campaign this year? There is also
good deal of curiosity to know if the Ne
braskan viii consent 10 be nuzzed.
When the conference OF members of tht
committee ard candidates on the Democrat
state ticket was held the sentiment was
practically unanimous that the party could
not afford to put such slight upon Bryan
as a failure to ask him to speak. He had
spoken in every campaign since 1891, and
the better element was emphatic in The
opinion that to fail to ask him now be-
cause he was opposed to the Indiana party
on a moral question would be fatal. as It
would ALLEVIATE hundreds OF Democrat
from the ticket.
It was suggested that Bryan would be
more than welcome if he would contine him.
self TO national issues-the tariff, particu
larly-and keep away from the discussion
OF local option, but whether he would con-
sent to be dictated to in the matter of his
utterances on the stump was a question
that no one was able 10 answer. But the
conferrees were agreed that he must be an
vited. and Cha Tman Jackson was instruct
ed to extend the invitation. It was thought
that 1t would be better to do so through Il
subcommittee and two members and one
candidate on the state ticket were selected
for the delicate task.
The subcommittee did not receive any
instructions. but 1t Is well known that It
will try to muzzle the Nebraskan 1t VIII
represent to him that here in Indiana the
.>r-,
of degree rather than one of principle, the
Republicans favoring the county and the
Democrats the city and the township as
local option units and that there IS no dl-
vision among Democrats as to the enforce
ment of the liquor laws or the necessity OF
circumscribing it within narrow limits
This being the case. they will argue that
any discussion of the subject can only tend
to divide Democrats and lessen the chances
of carrying the Legislature and of electins
Kern to the United States Senate. It IS
known, of course, that Bryan has declared
that the larger the unit the better it is for
the people. but it IS hoped TO confine m
wholly to other issues and reap the benefit
of his efforts for Democratic success along
political lines and take no risk of defec
tions because Of the better platform of the
Republicans with which Bryan agrees.
In the mean time some very worthy
Democrats who are not in accord with their
party on the> liquor question, are preparing
to enlighten the Nebraskan on some points
that they believe he may not fully under
stand. They plan to say to him that the
Democratic platform was dictated by Tom
Taggart, always the creature of the brew
cries and the saloons. and by State Senator
Fleming and Crawford Fairbanks, both of
whom ere brewers and that Democratic
victory means the dominance of brewery
politics in Indiana. just the thing ne has
been fighting IN Nebraska. 1t will also
be pointed out that the Democrats are not
in good faith, even in the matter OF their
own platform, and the record of The last
legislative session will be pointed to as evi-
dence of this allegation.
They will tell Mr.. Bryan that the Demo-
Gratis adopted the same platform two years
ago and with brewery and saloon money
elected a majority Of the House Of Rep
resentatives; that they bent all their efforts
to the repeal Of the county option law.
which he favors in Nebraska. and did not
even Introduce bill for city and township
option, it being plainly their purpose to
repeal the existing law and adjourn with
out giving the people any local option law
at all. Aud he s to be asked that if brew
cry domination of the Democratic party
in Nebraska is SO reprehensible that he
took the stump against it, how can it be
less reprehensible in Indiana? Or WHY
should he speak here in favor of that
against which he has fought in sister
state?
In contradiction of the plea that the
Democrats are united in respect 10 their
it will be pointed out to Mr..
Bryan that in Boone County the Democrats
have declared in favor of county option
and instructed their candidate for Repre-
to vote against the repeal of the
present law; that in Johnson County the
Democrats have nominated a man for Rep
resentative who voted against the repeal
Of the county option law two years ago
and was the leader of those who refused
TO be bound by {, caucus on a question
which they regarded moral and that in
other counties the Democrats have both
adopted platforms and nominated candi-
dates directly opposed TO the state plat
form of the party And Mr. Bryan viii
be asked If he proposes to come here and
be silent on q question of such vital i'm
0ortance, and BY that silence give encour-
agernent TO the liquor element which is
the Democratic party.
Some of the members of the Anti-Saloon
r,eague, who have always been Democrats. |
intend to ask Bryan &c take ground in
favor of county option and. if the Demo-
cratic committee does not approve of it, !
then to speak under the auspices of the
league in some of the larger cities of the
state He viii be asked to appear, pot as
Democrat, but as d man who is making
a valiant fight against the domination of
the country by the liquor element. and he
" i'll be assured of q hearty welcome By the |
best elements of all parties if he win |!
DO so
In the mean time there is much specula- |
ion regarding the reception that Bryan |
will give the proposition TO speak tor the |
Democrats and avoid an issue which |
le himself has declared vital. Many OF !
hose who have heard his lecture, The |
Prince of Peace and who regard him as |
I Christian gentleman. regardless of his |
political vasaries, do not believe that he |
viii consent to be muzzled. and if he does |
hey will be greatly disappointed i'll him |
The Democratic leaders, who are willing |
10 accept victory at any cost of submits |
sion to the brewery and saloon, do not |
eally want Bryan TO come into the state. |
and they have consented to invite him only |
because they Tear the effect OF ignoring !
lim On that moral element which looks |
mon the leadership with suspicion and |