The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1916-12-07
Advises Party to Take Up Cause
of Prohibition
WILSON WON WITHOUT "WETS"
Received Vote of All Prohibition and
States Which Had Granted
Woman Suffrage.

Washington, Dec. 6.-Wllllam j.
Bryan tonight struck the first blow in
his fight to make the country dry. At
dinner given him by Democrats of
the District of Columbia, he warmly
advocated prohibition as Democratic
party policy
THE Democratic party won without
the aid OF the west cities" Mr.. Bryan
said. land having received the support
of nearly all the prohibition states and
the states where women vote. is re-
leased from any obligation to the
liquor traffic. 1t is free to take the
moral side OF this great moral issue,
and l have no doubt that it will live
up to its opportunities and obliga-
tions.'
After reviewing the accomplish
ments of the administration during its
first term, Mr.. Bryan suggested sever
al lines along whicht work to effect
still more reforms He urged strongly
against heading the plea of the rail-
roads to be freed of state control,
with entire control to be placed in the
hands of congress and sounded a
warning against militarism.
THE United States cannot afford to
lose its moral prestige" he declared,
for the privilege of terrorizing people
with display of force"
Mr.. Bryan pointed out these needs
of the nation.
"A national bulletin to acquaint all
voters with the questions and issues
under consideration at an election.
Abolition of the electoral college
and substitution therefor of direct
voting for President.
change in the Constitution. max
ing it more easily amendable so that
control OF either the president, the
senate or the house would not insure
defeat of a proposed amendment. I'm
der the present system thirteen of the
smaller states. containing less than
one-tenth of the population of the
country, would be sufficient to prevent
adoption of a proposed amendment.
Adoption of suffrage policy by the
Democratic party. promising the infu-
ence of the party toward nationwide
enfranchisement of women.
Returning to his dry argument
Mr. Bryan declared the statement that
national prohibition is an assault up
on the rights of states has little
weight in the states where prohibition
has been adopted, and that this weight
would diminish as the number of pro
hibtiion states increase.
THE Democratic party is the party
of the people" the former secretary
declared, "and the home is the peo-
Pies citadel. The fight against the sa-
loon is a fight for the home and for
therefore; can not hesitate TO choose
the home against the greatest enemy
that has arisen to menace it,"
President Wilson was unable to at
tend the dinner but sent a letter of
greeting to Mr.. Bryon through Oliver
P. Newman, commissioner of the Dis
trict of Columbia. AS POSTMASTER, Mr..
Newman read the communication to
the diners. 1t follows:
my dear Mr. Commissioner: Will
you not be kind enough to convey
my Ntiy NOluiel SlttllhSo W hl
Bryan and to those who are assem-
bled to do him honor at the dinner
on Wednesday evening? In the re-
cent campaign no one rendered more
unselfish service than Mr. Bryan and
| am happy to know that this dinner
expresses the genuine admiration of
all Democrats for him. May l not by
this means convey to him my warmest
congratulations and best wishes for
his continued health and happiness?
Cordially and sincerely yours.
Woodrow Wilson"
Earlier in the day the President had
received Mr.. and Mrs. Bryan at lunch
con at the White House. the first time
the former secretary of state had Wis
tied the. executive mansion since re-
signing his portfolio