Omaha daily bee., 1912-03-24
BRYAN WILL FIGHT HARMON
Peerless Leader Restates His Posi-
tion at Holdrege Banquet.
CLARK OR WILSON ACCEPTABLE
Says He Can support Either of Them
IL Nominnted-MorEa and nm
Are Financing Harmon
Campaign.

HOLDREGE, Neb.. March e3.-(Special
Telegram.l-In his speech at the Phelps
county democratic dinner, In this city,
last night, ". J. Bryan reiterated his
determination to resign as delegate to
the national democratic convention rather
than serve In that capacity If bound by
instructions TO vote for Harmon. If l
20 as a delegate" said Mr.. Bryan, indi-
eating 10 what length he would insurge
against Harmon's candidacy. Il will need
TO have but one room engaged at Balu-
more. but II / am Obliged TO go as
private citizen, / will engage three or
four rooms
Explaining the reasons for his oppo-
sition TO Harmon, Bryan said that the
Iact that J. =. Morgan and Jim Hill. who
offered to finance the campaign against
himself three and half years ago to
an unlimited amount, have picked Har-
mon as their candidate is proof sufficient
that he is not the candidate for progress
sive democrats TO support. Mr.. Bryan
stated plainly that either Champ Clarh
or Woodrow Wilson would be aceepiabl,
to him. other speakers at the dinner
were Candidates A. c. Shallenberger
Willis II. Reed. w. II. Thompson. r. D.
Sutherland, J. II. Morehead and II. L.
Metcalfe. w. NJ: MaupIn. c. +. IIarman,
w. G. stamm. candidates for railway
commissioner: George l.. Hail. for state
treasurer; r. H. Klopp, for state super
lntendent. and J. w. Kelley. for secro-
tary OF state. were also present and were
called upon for words Of greeting.
a lengthy letter from Champ Clark, re-
citing the progressive acts of his political
career. and a telegram of felcitation
from Governor Wilson, were read to the
audience. There were many local repub-
licans in the crowd Of l75 guests at the
dinner.
The event began at s o'clock and II was
1:l5 when Mr.. Bryan. the last speaker,
concluded. H. c. Richmond of Omaha
acted as POSTMASTER.
Hitchcock VIII Obey Instructions.
WASHINGTON. March Ex-senator
Hitchcock Of Nebraska today issued a
statement. replying TO the declaration Of
William J. Bryan that II Governor Har-
mon was indorsed by the Nebraska
primaries he would not 20 to the Balti-
more convention as a delegate. Senator
Hitchcock characterized the Bryan state
ment as an attempt at dictatorship,
which Nebraska voters would not tol-
crate" He added that while Harmon
was his personal choice. he would vote
for any candidate indOrsed by Nebraska
democrats.
Senator Hitchcock says.
/ regard Mr.. Bryans statement as an
attempt to repudiate the new Nebraska
direct primary election law That law
provides that the democrats of the state
instruct them whom TO vote for as can
didate for president. 1 expect to abide
by that law.
II Champ Clark has the most votes, l
shall vote for him and support him Wig
OrOusly to the end. II Governor Wilson
primaries l shall vote for him and sup
port him TO the end. IL Governor Harmon
has the most votes in the primary | shall
vote for him, and support him to the
end
That Is the letter and spirit Of the law.
1t means the rule of the people. II per-
mits voters to instruct their representa-
tiyess in the convention.
Mr.. Bryan's statement is a defiance
Of the law. He announces that under
no circumstances win he support Gov
ernor Harmon, even II he receives the
largest vote In the democratic primary.
He even threatens that he will not go
to the convention as a delegate IL Har-
mon carries the primaries, but will then
resign and go as a private citizen to at
tempt to defeat Harmon's nominaliGn.
/ regard this as dictatiop. 1T is an
attempt to overthrow the primary law
for which Mr. Bryan and ! haze both
worked. II is an attempt by thrNat to
assert the old doctrine OF the party boss.
/ am frank TO tell the voters that
my personal preference is Governor Har.
mon, but II e.eeted as a delegate / shall
cOnscientioGsiy and heartily support the
man the democrats Of Nebraska prefer.
The assertion made by Mr.. Bryan that
Harmon has the support OF Wall stree
Is utterly without proof or foundation,
so far as I know.
When Mr.. Bryan IL opposed 10 a man
he first assumes and then asserts that
Wall street Is for the man. Certainly
Wall street has no reason TO be fol
Harmon. AS governor OF Ohio Harmon
has shifted $4,000 Of taxes off the
people onto the railroads, which are
.aTgely owned by Wall street interests.