Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1911-08-04
DEMOCRATS REPUD|ATE
PEERLESS ONE BRYAN
Underwood, Amid Great Ex-
element, Replies to Charges
Branding Them False
BACKED UP BY Mr.. KTCH|N
Senate Democrats Uphold Under
wood With Tremendous Ovation
When He Denounces Nebraskan

Washington, August 2.-William
Jennings Bryan, for fifteen years the
idol of the Democracy, was repudiat-
ed by the Democrats of the House
today in one of the most dramatic
seems ever enacted upon the floor
of that chamber. Rising to a ques-
ton of personal privilege, Represen-
tative Oscar w. Underwood, chair
man of the Ways and Means Com
mittee, denounced as absolutely false
Bryan's charges that he had prevent
ed a revision of the iron and steel
schedules, and the House gave to
Underwood an ovation that seldom
has been equaled.
The majority floor leader did not
mince words. 1t was a question of
Bryan against Underwood, and the
Democrats, cheering Underwood at
every sentence, rising en- masse when
he had concluded, throwing handker-
chiefs in the air-made their choice.
1t was Underwood.
Mr.. Underwood sent to the clerk S
desk a morning paper which contain
ed an interview with Bryan, in which
the latter charged that Underwood
had been "unmasked," and that he
was unfit to be at the head of the
Ways and Means Committee.
Underwood was interested in steel,
said Bryan, and had stood in the way
of revision of that schedule. Call
ing upon the members of the Ways
and Means Committee to be his wit
nesses, the majority leader with
shaking voice, declared he had urged
the revision Of the iron and steel
schedule at the beginning of the ses-
sion.
81 told the committee" said I'm
derwood, "that because I had public
ly stated that was small holder in
an iron mill, it might save me from
embarrassment if we proceeded to
revise the steel schedule first. The
committee decided to revise the wool
and cotton schedules first
1--WE will revise the steel and iron
schedule" said Mr.. Underwood mo-
ment later, and again the Democrats
cheered him to the echo.
"These statements made by Will
liam Jennings Bryan are absolutely
false" said Mr.. Underwood. If
they reflected on me alone l would
not take the time of the House to an
swer them, but they reflect upon the
entire Democratic party in control
of this House. I would be false to
my party and false to my position
as floor leader did l not characterize
them as false here today"
Bryan calls on Kitchin to sustain
him. I now call on him to take the
floor and say whether my statement
is true
Representative Kitchin of North
Carolina took the floor and expressed
.'egret for the controversy.
Il am sure the gentleman from
Nebraska is misinformed. While he
asks for publicity of caucus action he
ought to give publicity as to his in
formant
He could not have been informed
by any one in the caucus, because
there is not one word of truth in
that statement except that I reminded
the caucus that Mr.. Underwood was
Interested in the iron and steel bust
aess. But l said it would be wise to
revise the steel schedule, because
did not want Republicans to SANDER
Mr. Underwood, but I never dreamed
any Democrat would do so. Mr..
Bryan is not responsible.