The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1912-07-05

OF explaining why he and more than
dozen other delegates from Ne,
braska were going to switch their
votes from Clark to Wilson, the for,
mer candidate held the floor for near.
ly nm hour and was the center OF a
storm which swept the hall In chang.
ing waves of protest and appreciation.
He declared that so long as Champ
Clark continued to accept the sup.
port Of Charles F. Murphy and Tam.
many Hair he would not vote for
him. In changing to Wilson, Mr..
Bryan said he reserved the right to
switch again II New York or any
other states controlled by the in
terests" should go to the standard or
the New Jersey governor.
From the floor score OF delegates
hurled questions at the Nebraskan
and Kissed or applauded as he en-,
deayored to make himself heard in
answer, Several delegates demanded
to know IL Mr.. Bryan would support
the ultimate nominee. of the conven.
ton In the event that his nominating
vote included the ninety from the
state of New York.
Mr.. Bryan said he was content to
make his protest In advance of any
decision by the convention. He lex.
pected" to support the nominee. A
lawyer, he shouted, was permitted ito
defend a criminal" after the crime
was committed, but would not be per.
mitted to defend the criminal II he
had abetted the crime.
Some of the delegates believed Mr..
Bryan was making final bid for the
nomination. TX 1t was intended as
such, 1t appeared to fail, for there
seemed to be a capitalization OF the
forces against him and their strength
seemed to indicate that Bryan
stampede, so often expected, was out
OF the question. ~.
Late Saturday night Speaker Clark
issued the following statement:
To-day in the national convention
an outrageous aspersion was cast
upon me and through me upon the
Democratic party by one who of all
men ought to be the last to besmudge
or betray his friends or his party.
So far MS | am personally concerned,
1t Ii enough to say that the charge
which reflects upon my personal or
party integrity is utterly and abso-
lutely false, | might afford to for.
get myself, but | am by the choice of
the Democratic majority of the house
of representatives the ranking Demo-
cratic official In public life. | cannot
be false or corrupt without rejecting
upon my party in the most serious
way,
ANY man who would enter into an
alliance with any selfish interest or
privileged class of this country to
gain the nomination for the prest
dency is unworthy of the presidency
and OF the speakership of the house
II | have not entered into such an al.
lance then the Democrat, however
who wantonly charges
me with this act is a traitor to the
Democratic party and to his pro.
fessed friendship to me.
II am not here to plea for nominal
ton or attempt to influence any mans
political action, Let every man PRO
coed in this convention according to
convictions and the expressed will OF
his constituents. ask no undue
consideration from any man, be he
friend or foe, but | demand exact Jus
tice from every Democrat, either In
this convention or throughout the ma.
ton. With William ]. Bryan and his
charge in the convention today the
issue is proof or retraction. | shall
aYDnct him IN Tnaaf that fscua