Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1914-12-04
Gossip About Bryan
New Parnmounts Excite Amasemen..

A staff correspondent OF the Brooklyn Eagle at
the national capital writes to that democratic paper
follows;
william J. Bryan's public espousal OF the causes
OF equal suffrage and prohibition national reforms
20 be accomplished through the medium Of consttu-
tlona amendments has excited profound astonish-
ment in the city OF Washington. In view Of the
contrary views entertained on these questions by Mr.
Bryan's chief President wilson Mr.. Bryan has come
out in unequivoca terms for woman suffrage and
prohibition OF the liquor traffic and has given tho
democratic party notice that. ~ II would keep step
with the times. II must incorporate both propositions
In its national platform Of 1915
ION the contrary. President Wilson, ON at least
one public occasion. declared that regulation OF the
liquor traffic properly function Of the states, and
to delegation Of suffragsts who called at the
White House with View 20 enlsting his support
FOR their cause. he asserted with strong emphasis.
that they should look 10 the states for laws granting
women the right 20 vote.
I'm the face Of these assertions by the president,
Secretary Bryan made public proclamation. In which
he declared that the democrats Of the nation have
an Issue TO face, and they may well prepare for
It. Mr. Bryan described this issue the alcoholic
milestone He followed this up with the assertion.
Woman suffrage is comng-nothing is more certain
Then. the secretary Of state added that the saloon
the enemy OF equal suffrage well as OF pro-
hibiton and that the advances of the two reforms
should unite In a fight on the saloon
Break with Wilson In sI9htt
III Mr. Bryan should adhere TO his views on suf-
frage and prohibition and President Wilson stands
by his guns, the two apt to find themselves
seriously az odds IN 1916 Both tenacious OF their
opinions end. despite his position in the cabinet Mr.
Bryan has shown a remarkable disposition to assert
his beliefs although he has appeared at times
as acting contrary 70 the administration program and
policy.
For example. Mr.. Wilson and Mr. Bryan took
opposite sides In the recent senatorial campaign I'm
Illinois Mr.. Bryan went to that state and made
active campaign before the primaries IN opposition
to the nomination OF Roger Sullivan There is an
thority for the statement that Mr. Bryan did not
consult President Wilson to his course. Sullivan
was nominated and, candidate before the people
was Endorsed by the administration. Mr.. BFyan's
action IN this case aroused great bitterness among
some administration officials. Just what the presi-
dent himself thought about II has never been dis
closed
'In UNFOLDING prohibition and equal suffrage as
national reforms. Mr.. Bryan is not only running
counter TO the views of the president but he is d.
reetly in conflict these questions with most Of the
democratic leaders in congress-. notably Representa-
tive Oscar w. Underwood of Alabama Mr.. Under
wood made campaign for the senate and won on 3
platform that declared regulation of the liquor traffic
to be state issue. He maintains the attitude
toward equal suffrage Furthermore. the democratic
leaders OF the house instrumental at the last
session in preventing vote on both prohibition aud
equal suffrage. They claim that the resolutions en-
bodying those reforms Will be defeated II brought
TO vote at the forthcoming session.
| Speculation or Bryan's Motive.
mr.. Bryan was fully aware when he voiced his
views equal suffrage and prohibition that HIS party
leaders in and possibly the president
opposed. grounds OF political expediency. to any
agitation likely to the thought that the
proposed reforms should brought about by amend
of the federal constitution. Accordingly.
OF the leaders want to know the motive that i'm
PEELED Mr. Bryan to speak out these subjects IN
the way he did. and Mt this time They fear that
Mr. Bryan. who has the courage OF his convictions.
is certain to make trouble for the party on these
two issues in 1915 They express grave doubts that
the president who has been able to hold the secre-
tary Of state in check most administration poll
cies. win be able to influence him In the sghtest
on what Mr. Bryan has described the moral Issues
| OF the day.
when Mr.. Bryan entered the cabinet. everybody
who Is anybody In politics predicted that his tenure
would not last more than year. MIR. organs enemies
| charge that he has been a colossal failure in the
office OF secretary Of state They charge, further
4 that knows this quite well, President
Wilson, Nevertheless It Is practical certainty that
MIR. Bryan viii remain In the post until the end OF
the administration, unless he chooses to retire OF
his volition. Those close TO President Wilson
say that Mr.. Bryan. whatever his omission
commission. win not be asked TO resign nor Is he
believed at this time to harbor any such intention
whether MT Bryan IL attempting to create a
situation that would warrant him in giving a good
excuse for n break with the administration a qtles-
ton that has frequently been asked since the pub
4 location OF Mr., Bryans pronounced views woman
suffrage ana his reiterated opinions prohibition.
IT seems TO of the friends OF the adrninstra-
ton that Mr. Bryan went out OF his way to give
| utterances that he must have known would arouse
hard feelings among leaders In congress- and at the
same time place him in position OF antasonIsm to
President Wilson"
|