The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-11-21

not going to say anything yet about the avail
ability of any person for his council taDie
He is doing at this time muchs listening and
thinking and no talking on public matters
Naturally more concentration has been at
tempted to secure something from Mr.. Bryan
One utterance was alleged to have been made
by him last week, but 1t was promptly denied
Now. on yesterday, comes the report OF
another statement, to this effect:
Il am entirely out Of it, am. not interested
in 1t myself nor in any one who Is. Whom
Governor Wilson selects for his cabinet does
not interest me in the least"
1t is extremely doubtful whether that Is
either an authorized an accurate statement
of his attitude. 1t carries with 1t a tone OF
Irritation, of harshness. Nor does 1t sound
frank and sincere, qualities that have always
characterized Mr.. Bryans views 1t could not
be true that Mr.. Bryan has no sort of interest
in the personnel of Governor wilson's cabinet
Every Democrat has greater or less interest In
that important matter and Mr.. Bryan cannot
avoid having a very deep interest, because Of
his prominence in the party, and of his activity
in behalf Of the ticket. His interest may be
unsefsh, in the sense that he does not want
place in the cabinet for himself or any close
friend but an interest he should have and
must have.
The probabilities are that Mr. Bryan will
soon deny the authenticity of that precise
statement, 1t may have been obtained second
hand, from some person who has heard him
say something ike II, out entirely dlHerent
in tone
AS to the issue itself, The News frankly
hopes that Mr.. Bryan may not be included in
the new cabinet, for it is doubtful whether it
would be best for the harmony of the Wilson
administration of the broadcast interest of
the party 1t is to be feared that Mr. Bryan
Is not temperamentally suited for the council
table. He has throughout his public life.
shown an extraordinary spirit OF self-reliance,
of unwillingness to listen to counsel, of deter
mination to have his own way. He is distinctly
self-sufhcient and headstrong, could be il
Illustrated by many incidents in his career.
Such a type of mind such dominant charac-
tcristic, would be out of place in a cabinet
of counsellors There every man Ia expected
to deliberate, to help guide. not to control or
to direct. There is little doubt that Governor
Wilson is more cautious, willing to
listen, more deliberate. practical and
sagacious than most of the latter-day leaders
but II is also true that he is tenacious to
his convictions Of duty and most resolute In
carrying out policy once formed. There
would be danger of friction between the per-
sonalities Of Mr.. Bryan and of Governor Will
son. the one head-strong and the other reso-
lutte. There might not be harmony of long
continuance between the two men in too close
relation.
Mr. Bryan is great Democrat He is q
powerful leader, and has exercised whole
some influence at many times. and In many
ways. He quite effective in helping shape
the outcome at Baltimore, though he may not
have planned that outcome from the start.
He can be of great service to the Democratic
party in the future. He is entitled to the
distinguished consideration of the president
elect, and to proper recognition. But 1t
would be best for all concerned IL he should
be given leading foreign portfolio, and not
a place in the cabinet.-Brmingham News.