The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1915-09-29
FAV0RS LASTING REFORMS,
BRYAN HOPES PROHIBITION
WILL NOT BE CAMPAIGN
ISSUE.
Question for States to Decide First
No Definite Plans for Peace Mis-.
sion to EurOpe-Must Work to End
War.

Columbia, Sept. 24.-William Jenl
nings Bryan, former secretary of statd
in President Wilson's cabinet, yester3
day said unequivocally that he thought,
national prohibition would not be am
issue In the presidential campaign
next year. I may add" he continued!
II hope not. I am anxious to see next!
years campaign fought out on econ
omic reforms which have been secur-
ed and which need an Endorsement at
the polls next fall to make them per-
manent." He said that prohibition is
a State issue rather than national
issue at the present time.
to speak last night at the Columbia
theatre under the auspices of the
Y. M. c. A. on 'The European War
and It's Lessons to U.s. volunteered
the above statement after expressing
his pleasure over the successful out
come Of the recent prohibition elec-
ton in South Carolina.
II used 10 think" he said, that the
liquor question might be dealt with
In different ways in different COM
munities, but 1 reached the conclusion
some time ago that / could not afford
to be on the same side Of the liquor
question with those who are pecunia-
rily interested in the sale of intoxi-
cants. The national amendment. ]
think, will be submitted whenever
enough States have acted on the sub
ject to make it likely thatlt amend
ment will be ratified.
"At present, it Is q State issue
rather than a national issue although
the vote In congress last winter in
dictated that the sentiment Is growing
in favor OF national prohibition"
When asked If he thought national
prohibition will be an issue in next
years presidential campaign he re.
piled: mo. 1 think not, and I may
add, hope not. 1 am anxious to see
the campaign fought out on economic
reforms which have been secured and
which need an Endorsement at the
polls next year."
Mr.. Bryan arrived in Columbia at
11.55 o'clock yesterday morning Oh
the seaboard Air Line railway train
from Washington. He was taken to
the Jefferson hotel on his arrival and
rested until dinner. In the early af-
ternoon he declined to see visitors
and at o'clock in the afternoon was
taken for an automobile ride by Am
brose e. Gonzales. publisher. and w.
w. Ball, managing editor. of The
State. and ex-governor d. c. Hayward.
After his speech last night he took
the midnight train for Florida.
The proposed European trip for Mr..
Bryan in the interest of peace has not
been decided and the date Of his de-
parture as well as his initerary will
not be fixed for several weeks, pos
sibly not until November /, as. he ex-
planned. his speaking engagements will
occupy his time until that date. He
said that he did not care at this time
to discuss any hypothetical questions
arising out of his plan to go to Eu-
rope; this was in reply to a question
whether he would place his grounds
for peace before the people Of the
warning nations.
"IIow does the war look to you
now?" he was asked.
II would not like" he said, "to
make any predictions. 1t Is difficult
to predict with accuracy on ordinary
things; this war Is not an ordinary
thing; In fact, 1t Is without precedent
and without parallel. We can only
hope the end Is near and contribute
as far as possible toward bringing 1t
to an end"