The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1911-07-26
STATE CONVENTION FAILS TO
INDoRsE EITHER BRYAN OR
GOVERNOR HARMON.
NERVOUSNESS APPARENT
Followers OF Jefferson Point With
Pride, But Fail to View With Alarm
Seem to Like President Taft
Platform Is Noneommittal-No Conn
mendation is Given Party Leaders.

Fremont, Neb.. July 25.-The Me-
braska democratic convention, which
had been expected to place democrats
on record SO far as concerned their
preference for a presidential candi-
date Il year hence. failed to express
itself on candidates, or TO offer COM
mendations for its own leaders.
For the most part 1t was peace.
ful gathering. once II was i'm session,
and the general harmony program
which leaders of various factions had
mapped out was carried into effect
without n greater hitch than To have
an individual delegate ask the con-
yention To go on record as To presi-
Dental candidates. He was ruled out
of order by the chairman.
This result was not accomplished
without much preliminary caucusing.
but the result was satisfactory. Gov
ernor Harmon has personal repre-
sentative Mt the convention. but he
soon made 1t plain that his principal
business was TO get acquainted and to
look over the western field. No at
tempt was made to present the name
OF the Ohio governor for indorse-
ment.
The gathering was called under the
statewide primary law for the purpose
of adopting platform. the canll-
dates for state offices. three supreme
judges. two university regents and one
railroad commissioner being selected
by direct vote OF the democratic
electors.
No Mention Of Candidates.
The leaders were In conference as
early as Monday morning and until an
early hour today they were hopelessly
divided. Representatives of William
j. Bryan and Mayor James c. Dahl
man of Omaha labored long to come
to an understanding and 1t was not
until agreement had been reached to
eliminate mention OF individuals. that
a common ground was found on which
to stand
The influence OF United States
Senator Hitchcock was factor In all
the negotiations His wish was to
unite all factions and he was emf
nently successful, so far as the con-
yention's action was concerned.
Chairman NJ. +. Harrington, who
previous to the gathering had indi-.
Gated some opposition to Mr.. Bryan.
sounded the keynote of peace in his
opening speech.
However. he permitted Charles
Wooster a delegate from Merrick
county. to offer u motion that the
convention vote its preference for u
presidential candidate. In doing so. he
stated that he would rule the motion
out of order because the law provided
that the rank and file OF the party
should express that preference in open
primary
The convention was In an uproar
for moment, but soon subsidized and
Mr. Wooster was permitted to state
that the federal constitution provided
for free speech and that he was ex-
ercIsing that right, but with no wish
to embarrass the party organization.
Nothing Doing for Harmon.
Although "A liberal minority had IA
yored action ON the presidential can
didacy OF Governor Harmon, the mat
| ter was not brought up on the con-
veaiion floor. A general nervousness
was evident from the moment the con-
yentIon was called to order and It was
/ not relieved until the delegates were
permitted to give voice to their op-
position to any action looking to an
Endorsement of candidates. by practi-
caly "howllng down" Delegate
/ Wooster.
The platform Is confined 10 national
and state issues. on which all fac
tioRs are agreed. The name of Will
lnn j. Bryan is not mentioned. TO
reach an agreement the document was
revised no less than three times. For
mer Governor Shlllenberger. as chair
man OF the committee. with II. l..
Metcalfe, representing Mr.. Bryan, and
4 Harry N Newbranch of Omaha, an
tayowed poaeemaker caring for the in
terests of Senator Iiltehcock's ana
Dahlman's followers.
The Platform.
Following, in part. is the platform
adopted:
THE democracy of Nebraska In cons
, vention assembled reaffirms Its al-
, legiance to the fundamental principles
of the party as enunciated In the state
, and national platform of 1908. Wa
! point with pride to the leadership
? the democracy OF Nebraska has taken
, within the last quaeter of a century
in reforms already accomplished, al
well as those that are in process Ut
accomplishment.
'.We congratulate the nation that
e democratic principles are rapidly win-
), ming favor in all sections of the coun~
q try and with far-minded men OF all
: parties.