Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-06-26
Bryan Refuses Chairmanship.

which Mr.. Bryan replied: Il don't know
whether you will stand for all will do.
Bryan Refuses Craftsmanship.
Because he is not in sympathy with the
forces "seemingly in control OF the con-
vention," Mr.. Bryan declined to accept
the Craftsmanship Of the committee unani-
mously rendered him. Senator John W..
Kern Of Indiana was elected after Mr..
Bryan twice refused the honor.
When the committee met at 1915
o clock Mr.. Bryan was not present. His
absence was disconcerting. No one ap-
peared to know what the Nebraskan' s
attitude was to be, but it was rumOred
that he had said to several friends that
he would not accept the responsibility OF
directing the platform makers. Neverthe-
less. 1t was decided unanimously that the
place should be proffered him.
After a brief discussion it was suggested
that committee Of Mr.. Bryan's friends
should be sent to his rooms to urge him
to assume what the committee declared
to be duty to his party. Senators Ray
ner of Maryland. O'Gorman Of New York
and Culberson Of Texas were sent post
haste to Mr.. Bryan's rooms. The COM
mittee arrived too late; Mr.. Bryan had
started to the convention hall.
The committee of senators returned to
the convention hall and entered the COM
Bryan finish a speech refusing to serve
as chairman. The Nebraskan said he
was not in sympathy with the forces who
appeared to be directing the trend of
political events in the party, and that
he was not sure that he could support
the platform to be presented by the COM
mittee. He declared that unless the plat
form embraced his ideas of true progress
he would submit a minority report to the
convention He said he would take no
appointment which might embarrass him
in pursuing such course. He emphati-
unanimously wanted to bestow upon him.
Why Bryan Declined.
In refusing to accept the chairmanshir
Mr. Bryan said:
not willing to act as chairman. I am q
believer in harmony. but think that
the committee in it's Offices ought to be III
harmony with the convention, and l an
not in harmony with the organization OF
the convention nor Of the national com
mittee which controls the organization OF
the convention.
I'VE used to have .two kinds Of demo.
Gratis, progressives and conservatives; we
have now only one kind, progressive but
we find there is wide difference in the
definition of the word progressive, and
do not define progressiveness as it is
defined by a majority Of this convention
in harmony with the convention, and
desire to be more free to represent the
minority sentiment. I do not say that
there will be a minority report, but II
would not look we'll for the chairman OF
the committee to take in q minority re-
port. 1t may be necessary for me to
take in a minority report. do not know
that it will, but / do not want to place
myself in that awkward position, and fol
that reason l decline"
Not content to SO easily abandon their
harmony program the committee turned
the matter over to Senators Rayner,
O'Gorman and Cub erson, and they held
an earnest discussion with Mr. Bryan in
one corner Of the room. Their efforts
were fruitless; Mr.. Bryan had announced
his position and 1t was unalterable.
Senator Kern was turned to at once as
representing the progressive democracy
and there was no nomination In opposi-
| ton to him. His election was unanimous
| mary to closing the doors for the work
| Of making the party platform.
Moves to Defer Platform.
AS soon as the committee organized Mr.
Bryan moved that the presentation OF the
platform be deferred until after the con.
vention had nominated a candidate 70,
| President.
Senator Rayner seconded the propo-
| sition He spoke at some length, urg-
ing a progressive platform and par
| ticularly in reference to the tariff and
direct election Of senator's, on which
| planks there was found to be a di-
| vision Of sentiment.
Mr.. Bryan's motion was carried, Al
| to 9. The committee adjourned until
the convention should determine the
| matter.
| Keeps Platform Plans Concealed.
Whatever Mr.. Bryan's plans might
be for the party platform. he kept
| carefully concealed from his friends
He had no statements to make this
morning regarding either the platform
or Judge Parker's appeal to the dele
| gates to make Mr.. Bryan chairman OF
the resolutions committee.
/ Returning to his hotel from visit
/ to Mayor Preston. the Nebraskan spent
| the early morning hours In correspond
| ence and then went to attend the
| meeting Of the resolutions committee
resolutions committee.
"The delegates are saying below
stairs that you will write, the party
i platform" was suggested.
] But progressive platform would