Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1916-11-06
BRYAN DOESN'T TAKE
SINGLE WORD BACK
Commoner, in Open Air Speech,
Has Nothing to Say for
Hitchcock.
SCORES LOCAL DEMOCRACY

At an open-ar meeting north of the
postoffice Saturday evening. w. ].
Bryan excoriated local democracy for
alleged affilation with the liquor in
terests. neglected to mention Senator
Hitchcock by name or inference, de-
clined TO consider the candidacy of
Keith Neville when asked by one of
the audience, delivered a prohibition
lecture in characteristic Bryan man.
ner, answered seyera; ilecklers and at
tempted to defend the policies of
Woodrow Wilson. At no time did he
take back the charges which he had
previously made against the Nebraska
senator.
In preliminary talk l. J. Dunn an
nounced "a democratic political meet
ing" On the platform with Mr.. Bryan
were L. J. Quinby, L. B. Johnson, S.
|. Gordon, w. r. Patrick, Lysle /.
Abbott, c. G. Cunningham and Frank,
Harrison of Lincoln. !
Uses Portable Platform.
City Commissioner Hummel loaned
his portable band platform, which
served as speaking stand and was
placed near the curb at the north side
Of the postoffice. A crowd of nearly
5000 heard Mr.. Bryan, who referred
in imprisoned words to the necessity
Of being required to speak outside.
He experienced some difficulty in try
ing to satisfy the demands of those
who wanted him to face their direc-
ton, as the audience surrounded the
platform. p
Turn around this way, Bill"
shouted a good-natured listener. And
then someone on another side would
make similar request.
Mr.. Bryan had fairly launched into
his attack upon the liquor interests,
when heckler shouted, what about
the grape juice?" whcreupon Mr..
Bryan quickly retorted, Il want to
tell the man who said that, if he
would drink grape juice he would not
get drunk and beat his wife"
Another heckler asked Mr.. Bryan
something about the drug stores after
Nebraska went dry, Mr.. Bryan reply
ing that if the drug store would take
the place of the saloon, then the ques-
toner should have no fear of the drug
store.
Neville Not Important.
What about Neville?" asked an
other man.
II have more important subjects to
talk about tonight, sir" was the ready
response.
What about Missouri" was an
other question.
There are too many breweries in
Missouri now, but that state will be
in line later on" replied Mr.. Bryan.
What about Woodrow Wilson,"
was the next query. II
"I'll get to him, but you won't help
his cause any by trying to tie him to
your liquor interests" was the answer.
Not a word for Senator Hitchcock
during the whole evening, although
Mr.. Bryan was particular to mention
the democratic congressional nominee
for this district by name and even en-
dorse him with Woodrow Wilson.
Roasts Local Democracy.
Mr.. Bryan's arraignment of local
democracy was awful to behold. After
declaring he intended to vote in Ian
caster county for dry candidates re-
CARELESS of party, he said: Here in
Omaha democrat seems lonesome if
he is for prohibition, but after next
Tuesday we will have democracy in
Nebraska with higher ideal than de-
Tending the saloon. Democracy out
side of Nebraska is not ashamed of
prohibition, but, on the contrary, is
taking the lead. The democratic party
is not going to be the servant OF the
liquor interests"
But not one word of comfort or
for Senator Hitch
cock, although the meeting was pub
licly announced as democratic po-
litical meeting"
Mr.. Bryan showed considerable fire
during the first half of his address,
which was devoted to the liquor issue.
He showed religious fervor somewhat
of the evangeistc kind, but was dis
appointing in his defense OF the DEM
ocratic administration. He said Oma-
ha is progressing on the liquor ques-
ton and referred to his speech in
Washington hall six years ago, when
he was chairman, committee, speaker
and all that was"
Will Surely Vote Dry.
"When vote in Lancaster county
next Tuesday, will vote for dry
candidates and | don't care what
party they may be identified with.
II two dry candidates are in oppo-
sition, l will vote for the dryest OF
the two" he said He repeated much
of his prohibition address delivered
here last spring, stating that the sa-
loon is against the best interests of
any community and he stated that no