The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-10-05
COUNTY OPTION TROUBLESOME
Criticism of other Presidential Cam
didates Rot iii<e,i-EiqaOr Oppose
Wreci<fng Pnrty-Au Legislative
Candidates Are Pledged.
BY WILLIS J. ABBOT.
Washington Herald.


politicians the same general disapproval
of his attitude in the present campaign.
but there is no indication OF the bitter re-
sentiment and hostility expressed toward
him in Omaha.
To put 1t In a phrase. / should say
that the country opinion OF his action is
expressed more in sorrow than IN anger.
Why he should have dragged the liquor
question into politics at a moment when
apparently the State was satisfied with
its present local option law and its rigid
early closing law is not understood
bat make no mistake! Mr.. Bryan is a
power in Nebraska No other man could
by one act have taken the State out OF
the absolutely certain Democratic col
umn and made IL doubtful. If, indeed,
he has not handed II politely on a silver
salver TO the Republican party. Never
theless. II is believed here that he has
given his power an almost vital wound
H. his insistent demand for a county op-
ton plank in the platform and In bolt
ing the gubernatorial nomination Of
Jim Dahlman. known as his dearest
friend and supporter for at least sixteen
years past.
Rejects Referendum Pledge
Apparently the press outside Of Nebras-
ka does not understand exactly what the
situation is. Mr.. Bryan's one insistencs
was that the demand for county option
shoAd go into the platform. Il was pro-
posed 20 him 70 put II into a resolution
outside OF the platform. the plea being
that il would greatly embarass candi-
dates for the legislature from a city Ike
Omaha II they were compelled 10 defend
il as part Of the platform.
To this he would not yield, and in later
years he seldom Yields 10 argument. Then
the proposition was made that a res
oiutlon should be passed pledging every
Democrat elected 10 the house or the SEN
ate in the State TO vote in favor OF sub
hitting the county option law 10 the full
vote OF the people under the referendum.
and TO act in accordance with that vote.
This Mr.. Bryan also refused. but the res
olution was passed and is part OF the
Democratic programme in Nebraska.
Bryan's Sincerity Questioned.
I talked with a man in IIncO.@ VIC
has been one of Mr.. Bryan's warmest
supporters politically and financially.
This is the first time" said he. that
have ever questioned the sincerity OF
Mr.. Brian. have been allied with him
in all his Congressional and Presidential
campaigns. When we had saloons in
Lincoln there were twenty-three Of them,
tWenty-one were for Mr. Bryan, and he
knew IT,
"All the brewery interests were for Mr..
Bryan, and he knew il. We knew per-
factly well that he was an absolute alb
stainer from the use Of intoxicating
drinks, and We honored him for il. but we
knew al the same time that he was toll
Grant of other peoples weaknesses He
said TO me once. I have enough 10 do
in taking care Of my own habits without
attempting 20 control those of others It
was upon that principle that he received
the support Of the brewing interests in
this neighborhood. This year he Is not
candidate for office. and has suddenly
undertaken a crusade which would IN
questionably destroy any man who is a
candidate FOR Office and we are wonder
ing here whether in so doing he has been
influenced by the fact that It cannot be
OF immediate hurt 10 him whatever the
effect OF IL may De upon his party"
The gentleman quoted Is the secretary
Of a big corporation, and not in the
slightest degree allied with the brewing
or liquor interests.
Endorsed In Country District.
Now hear the other side man from
little town in Nebraska. whom met on
the train. said TO me: Il have always
been a Republican. l have voted three
times against Mr.. Bryan. and until to-day
I have been inclined TO boast Of those
votes. After his magnificent stand in
favor OF the home and OF the destruction
of the liquor evil in our State / viii vote
for him, or for anybody he asks me to
vote for. I may say, too. in my town we
have only about 800 voters, but l believe
275 of them will vote against Jim" Dahl
man simply because OF Mr.. Bryans atti-
tude. That is the general sentiment
throughout the country districts. We
think Mr.. Bryan has done right; we be-
lieve even in the Republican party that
he has had the courage 10 go up against
a hard proposition. TO sacrifice a friend,
to put in jeopardy his political future in
this State, in order to advance a cause in
which he is sincerely interested
Candidates Criticised.
You can get many ideas in the smok-
ing room of a train. Here Is one that
came to me without my leading up 10
the subject under discussion. man sit
ing next to me, in talking to another,
a politician from Grand Island, was de-
nouncing Bryan. Said he: DO yor
know / believe that Bryan has got an
idea of running again in 1872 ] rode in
the train with him one night and goa
talking politics talked with him about
every man whose name Is prominently
mentioned for the next Presidential NOM
nation I spoke OF Harmon and he ex-
pressed the opinion that Harmon was
controlled by corporate influences.
spoke of Gaynor, and he thought that
Gaynor should stay on the job to which
he had been elected. I spoke of Folk
and he damned him with faint praise
There was no name mentioned FOR
which Mr. Bryan could not find some
criticism, some argument which would
put the man out of the Presidential run
ming"
l quote this conversation merely be-
cause l happened TO overhear IT, II
shows a certain feeling in the Middle
West which may affect. more or less,
Mr.. Bryans immediate future
Bryan Anathema I'm Omaha.
If I were e attempt TO sum up the
situation in Nebraska, I should say this;
That in the city of Omaha the name
of BRYAN is anathema No doubf he has