The Mathews journal. (Mathews C.H. [Court House]) 1903-1937, 1910-08-04
BRYAN BEATEN
BY HIS FRIENDS
ImpasSiened Appeal by the Peerless
One In Speech from ROstTum.

GRAND ISLAND, NEB.- Special
William Jennings Bryan, thrice the
national standard bearer OF the Demo-
cratic party, was overwhelmingly de-
feated in the State Convention July
9th when by q vote OF CAT to
lsS the delegates defeated his county
option plank.
The vote came after an impassioned
speech by Mr.. Bryan on the floor OF
the convention. He was cheered by
his supporters. but the volume OF
sound made by them was small as
compared with the mighty cheer that
followed the announcement OF the
vote that took the leadership of his
party in Nebraska away from Bryan
The defeat for Bryan was especially
bitter in that IL was his former friends
who, cheering wildly. wrested the
leadership from him when they regis
tered their disbelief in his policies
The principal figures in the fight in
the state Convention were Bryan,
Governor Shallenberger and eX-Mayor
James 9. Dahlman, of Omaha. Bryan
asked for the adoption Of a county on
ton plank. the initiative and referen-
dunn and the elimination Of the brew
ers from politics. He got only the ini-
uotive and referendum. Shallenb er-
ger opposed county option; asked an
endorsement OF his administration. the
lnluatiVe and referendum and an en-
dorsement Of the s o'clock closing law.
He got everything he asked for.
Dahlmann asked for a specific stand
against the county option law, but
failed to score a point.
AS matters stand, Shallen0erger was
complete victor.
Forecasts Downfall.
G. j. Smith, who was named for
temporary chairman, forecasted Bry-
ans fall in his speech when he said:
1T may be necessary for some of us
n a n lao IL ,FNl.
for twenty years has given lustre to
our party. If that should be let no
man say that it argues any abatement
in the esteem of him who embodies
that leadership"
The platform endorses the admins
tration of Governor Shallenberger and
favors the giving to metropolitan cities
and cities OF the first class the right to
announced that two minority reports
would be submitted, one by, W. J.
Bryan and the other by H. B. Fleharty.
Mr.. BryRn's speech.
Mr.. Bryan, speaking from the plat
form in behalf Of the minority planks
shouts OF al. APPLAUSE by his supPorteSrs
feel your wrath. If you find l have
done anything that is not for the good
of the Democratic party, do not ask
who. less than 1. could desire to
disrupt the Democratic party? Am
uoN aware WHat a TepuolatlOn at your
hands will mean to me? II has been
said that i am making this fight be-
cause 1 am not a candidate. Nothing
could be more untrue" Mr.. Bryan re-
ferred to the political battles he had
waged and declared he had been fear
less when his own future seemed at
stake.
Continuing. he said: Il have been
allied dictator for expressing my opin-
on. Your candidates here today have
-, pressed their sentiments. BY what
aw 2m / compelled to remain silent
when 1 iUsl that the good name OF the
state is at stake. 1t has been said that
am aggrieved because / have been
'old out by the liquor interests in my
pwn State. I have been sold out bN
hese liquor Democrats in my State and
saved by the votes of self-respecting
To Stay In Politics.
Il expect to be in politics for many
years vet. i expect to aid in the work
# the Democratic party. but i will not
remain silent when q band OF political
Il am not willing TO admit that this
is a final settlement of this question"
continued hr. Bryan. and on a moral
question l am not afraid 10 express my
opinion and stand on it, IL / have to
stand alone"
Mr.. Bryan declared he had learned
on his return from South America OF
the plan TO betray Nebraska into the
he election of United States Senators
md state officials was a part of the
conspiracy. and that he felt called upon
20 prevent the political burglary OF the
state.
The Republican party and the Popu-
list party OF this State have adopted
county option" said Mr.. Bryan. 1.-THE
tide is turning toward Democracy in
on them. not in defense OF the liquor
traffic"