Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1915-12-12
Nebraska
MAHER COMMENTS
ON BRYAN'S INQUIRY
Colonel Makes Tart Observations
About Attitude of Mayor Toward
Wilson Petition.
PEACE PROPAGANDA FOR CASH
(From Staff Correspondent

LINCOLN, Dec. Especial. 49,
Criticism by Mayor Charles Bryan Of
the acts OF certain democrats in fill
ing a petition placing the name of
President Wilson on the primary
ballot as a candidate for renomina-
ton has prompted Colonel John G.
Maher to respond and he gives out
the following communication today
in answer to what has been said.
so much interesting talk has greeted
the filing OF the Wilson presidential pc
ttion in this state that I am convinced
now, more than ever. that what those
twenty-seven democrats did will find
general endorsement at the hands OF dem
ocrats generally as well as men of other
parties.
"Our petition could have extended yards
and yards down the secretary's office
but those of us who talked the matter
over considered it of sufficient length
and thought that democrats OF Nebraska
would agree that it should contain only
the required number OF names. The sug-
gestion for its circulation came from
point out in the state and we Lincoln
democrats were glad to circulate It.
VIII Not Embarrass President.
Recent history made at our national
capital demonstrates beyond all doubt
that the filing will embRrass any nom
partisan program the president may have
in contemplation. For only the day after
the receipt of the petition at tie White
House, President Wilson. himself, dined
the entire democratic national committee
and freely talked with his political fam
/ lily as to plans for the coming year.
| He was given a strong vote of en-
| dorsement at the hands of the committee,
too, a sentiment so inspiring that no one
/ could construe his position as other than
/ wholesomely and aggressively partisan.
| lie is still the president of the people.
J but he has lost none of his partisanship.
! This, in my opinion, is a tribute to his
power and his Observation-Disclosures. He is
! all the more American because he folloms
| this course.
LAS to Charles w. Bryan's inquiries at
! Washington concerning this petition there
| is little to say. Mr. Bryan was given a
chance to sign the petition. He did not
do so. The reason he gave was ethereal,
as thought at the time. ] am more than
ever convinced of 1t now.
Roast for Bryan Propaganda.
| Especially am / convinced OF II when
evidence is laid before me of the personal
ends which Mayor Charles and his
brother have in continuing their opposi-
ton to President Wilson's policies.
Il find. for instance, that the organs,
under the name OF Mayor Charles. are
! circularlzIng hundreds, yes perhaps
! thousands of democrats in this and other
states working up sentiment against what
many people consider the presidents most
important program. 1 find him in these
letters, dwelling at length upon the
strong selfish Hobbies and interests.
which. he says, are the chief ones back
ing the adequate defense program for
our beloved country. find him excoriat-
ing senators and congressman, who are
standing behind this program, as toe
close to big business to turn it down
or too unintelligent to disagree the mo.
tives which he says, prompt its proposal
at this time.
CashinE Political Antics.
II find Mayor Charles citing. in his
fervor, the battle put up under misap-
prehension-to repudiate President VIII
sons program and then 1 find at the enc
of this lengthy, unpatriotic TRADE at one
dollar per against the Wilson policies, q
plea for restoration of the recipients
name to the subscription list OF the Com
moner
1T is not enough that w. j. Bryar
should desert our president in a trying
hour. 1t is not enough that he SHOULD
seek to belittle resident Wilson anc
make the people of the country believe
that the president had turned his bach
upon them and was about to go ovel
to big business.
1T Is not enough that he should pro
pose a course for this country, which
would shame it among all people and b'
an invitation TO pugnacious and design
ing nations to do us violence-but nov
he must come forward and collect none!
for his activity!
Verify this is the most sordid anC
Incorporate peace commercialism an6
doctrine of non-resistance our countr!
has ever been called upon to witness
There is but one thing the earnes
citizen can ask himself as he gazes upoI
this display-and that is: How long will
it be possible for him to cash in hii
political antics at the boNoffice, and hoV
long will he be able to offer them L
the public at bargain subscription rate
how long will a sincere and serious
minded and patriotic public endure thes'