The Washington times., 1912-06-28
BRYAN'S VICTORY
ONE FOR PROGRESS
BUT NOT COMPLETE
Nebraska Leader Robbed
Himself of Full Fruits of
His Action.
BY THEODORE TILLER.


William Jennings Bryan destroyed
precedent and moved to throw from
the Democratic convention August
Belmont and Thomas F. Ryan, 1t is
apparent here today that the Nebras-
ka leader robbed himself of what
might have been a full victory
Playing the game on the political
chess board, Bryan unfortunately
moved his pawn to a valuable spot
and saw 1t captured.
If he had not overlapped this once,
Bryan might have been hailed this
morning as a man who had swept the
opposition entirely off the boards. AS
1t is, he typifies only a partial VIC
tory, and despite the most dramatic
speech in his entire career, is not
now regarded as a four times Presi-
dental possibility.
Lost Complete Victory.
The victory he won in this night Of
unparalleled scenes was undoubtedly
one for progress. but he lost the fruits
of full victory when he added sixteen
words to the unprecedented resolution
sprung upon aconvention least ex-
pecting IT.
That is the way the convention throng
today looks upon the spectacular charge
Of Bryan against the citadel Of "preda-
tory interests"
He committed the convention to an
attack upon j. p Morgan. August Bel
mont, and Thomas F. Ryan, but he was
forced to retreat when he proposed to
throw out of the convention hall Bel
mont and Ryan, who were delegates
from New York and Virginia, respect
lively.
Bryan Swallows Words.
These are the words Bryan uttered
and then swallowed when 1t became
apparent that Virginia and New York,
standing on the doctrine of State 6
Rights. would refuse to oust a member
of their respectie delegations.
''Resoled, That We demand the
withdrawal of any delegate constituting
or representing the above named inter-
ests."
Bryan said he would withdraw the
last sixteen words If Virginia and New
York protested against the withdrawal
of Ryan and Belmont. II mean the
majority from New York-not Mr.. Muir
ply" shouted Bryan. who dealt no
longer in generalities, but in personali-
tfes.
Flood Answers Challenge.
The turbulent crowd did not hear.
and the official record will not show
what Congressman Hal Flood Of Vir-
ginia said face to face with Bryan as
he moved to within foot Of the Com
moner to accept for Virginia what
Flood termed an 'insolent challenge"
AS man to man. Flood is reported to
have said to Bryan:
You are doing your best to disrupt
~ 1D0
men in Virginia who are better Demo-
crast than YOU"
Bryan's reply, made differentally and
without temper, was not heard.
Scene Without Precedent.
The excited Flood, defantly shaking
his fist at the dominant figure in the
Democratic party, the suave Bryan,
bowling as he yielded the platform to
the Virginian; the scores of frenzied
delegates who mounted chairs and be-
gan to make speeches to those about
them; the thousands in the galleries
who hissed and cheered, according to
their pent-up feelings; the attempts of
officers to clear the aisles; a fist fight
In far corner of the htti; the adamant
Ryan and Belmont, who sat with stern
faces throughout the ordeal, and the
scurrying of countless telegraph mes
sengers with bulletins telling a waiting
country of another crisis precipitated
by the three times candidate, afforded a
Panoramic view Of a scene which prob.
ably never will be duplicated, and
which certainly is without precedent in
underlying cause in the history of any
party
Obnoxious Words Withdrawn
When Flood had accepted for 1.-The
sovereign State of Virginia, the insolent
challenge of the only man capable Of
the floor again and withdrew the fina
sixteen words in his resolution on the
ground that he did not care to precipi,
tate the issue of State rights.
In the confusion, the convention had
been In an uproar now almost an hour
Bryan es'ted if New York took a stand
similar to Virginia, but the reply was
lost in mingled catCalls and cheers.
After Withdrawing the last sentence
In his resolution, which he had sprune
without warning after making a dram
attic entrance upon the platform, the
main portion of the Bryan resolution
unprect dented as 1t was, received 3
"VOte of $3.50 to 1856
Following is the resolution which kept
the convention in turmoil for moro
than two hours last rght, ana "hich
a vote of $50 to 1885, and whiCh 'cciVed
the approval of both Belmont and Ryan
the men 1t was aimed at:
RESOLVED. That in this crisis In OuI
party's career, and in our counrry's his
tory, this convention sends greetings tc
the people of the United States, and as
sures them that the party Of Jefferson
and Of Jackson is still the champion OF
popular government and equality before
the law
AS proof OF our fidelity to the people
we hereby declare ourselves opposed tc
the nomination OF any candidate fol
president who is the representative of
or under any obligation to, j. Pierpon
Morgan, Thomas F. Ryan, August Bel
mont, on any other member of the priv
hege-hunting and favor seeking class.
BE II further resolved, That we de-
mand the withdrawal from this conVen
tion of any delegate or delegates consti
tuting or representing the above named
interests"
EndeaVorerS Meeting.