The Newport plain talk. (Newport, Tenn.) 1909-1939, 1912-01-11
Retains His Seat as Member
of National Committee.
END OF A BITTER FIGHT
Col. W. J. Bryan Suffers Defeat
in His Fight to Unseat Com
mitteeman Cuffey of Pennsyl-
vania-The Fight Was Heated
and the Nebraskan Had No
Apologies to Offer.

Apologies to Offer.
r. f. l.. Mouatcastie Of Knoxville,
Tennessee's member Of the National
Democratic committee, whose seat on
the committee was being contested
by John Vertrees, was seated in the
committee Monday with only one dis
senting vote. The much heralded
fight, which had been waged in Tenn
essee's democracy weakened before the
National committee and was entirely
lost sight of in the fight which Col.
W. J. Bryan was waglng against Col.
Guffey, the Pennsylvania member Of
the committee whose seat was also be-
ing contested. While opposing Col.
Guffey, Mr.. Bryan let it be known
that he was in favor OF Mr.. Mountcas-
tie, and it was a foregone conclusion
that tie Tennessee .nember would re-
tain his seat.
This is great victory for the Inde-
pendent democracy ofTennessee, whose
party loyalty has been questioned by
the so-called Regular democrats. and
ii shows that in the eyes of the democ-
racy Of the nation that an Independent
Democrat is just as good democrat
as q so-called Regular. and this ques-
tion oneed settled, should put the two
factions in position to merge.
William Jennings Bryan made his
fight in the dernocratic national COM
nittee and lost. He made Colonel
James NJ. Guffey, member ofthe COM
mittee from Pennsylvania, the issue,
and the committee declined to unseat
Colonel Guffey by vote of 80 to IS.
Mr.. Bryan at onced appealed from a
decision OF Chairman Mack and was
defeated 33 to Is.
The committee session was marked
by extreme bitterness Of feeling. Once
the lie was passed and blows seemed
imminent. Mr.. Bryan from first to
last was central fignre and the fight he
precipitated ut the very moment the
committee was called to order lasted
throughout the day. -" '.- -'''
The committee began its sitting
with open doors, but as soon as Mr..
Bryan hegan his fight, they were closed
and remained so throughout the day
1t is said there was no mincing o.
words BY any OF the speaekrs, but al
the end OF the day apologies were offer
ed and when adjournment was taker
all members seemed outwardiy OBJ
on the best Of terms.
Colonel Gufiey hurled the lie at Rep
resentative A. Mitchell Palmer, o.
Pennsylvania, who was contesting TO
the seat. Later Colonel Gutfey de
clared his temper momentarily had
got the better OF him, and he was sor'
ry. Mr. Palmer said TINT although h,
had been thrown out Of the committee
he would continue tC labor untiringly
for the party. Mr.. Palmer had pre-
yiously asserted heatedly that if i
were not for Colonel Gutleys gra.
hairs, the issue between them woult
have had a more personal aspect.
MIR Bryan, arraying himself agalns
some of his friends OF old, including
National Chairman Norman T.. Muck
and Senator William J. Stone. OF Mi.
eouri, fought desperately to the last
mud had tine committee in turmoil {
excitement. He had been greeted wit
cheers when he entered the room be r
ing the proxy OF NebraSka. Mi
BRYAN said he Woaid leave WaShinG
ton probably early tomorrow after
noon.
Mr.. Bryan insei.hcd bitterly again'
Colonel Guffey, ard is said TO hay
been unspariac in his arraignment {
the Pennsylvania member. The fue
between the two men is Of old standing
Representative Palmer had accuse
Col. Gufiey, OF consorting with th
republican .'machine"ln Pennsylvani
and Of disloyalty to his aarty. NJ
Bryan repeated all OF this and NOR
AT the end, il is said he had no oapoi,
gies TO otier, and undoubtedly he wi
carry ION his fight against Colon
Gufey.
J. Winfield kyker is the prou
E.aAar &C lra eiz h.