The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-12-07
BRYAN LAUNCHES
CAMPAIGN TO MAKE
DEMOCRATIC PARTY DRY
Makes Eloquent Address at Dinner
Given In His Honor by District
of Columbia Democrats.
DEMOCRACY HAS WON
WITHOUT AID OF VETS
Urges Movement to Make Constitution
More Easily Observation-Disclosures
States With One-Tenth OF Nations
People Can Now Block Action.

Washington. Dec. S.--William Jen-
nings Bryan tonight struck the first
blow In his fight to make the coun-
try dry" through Democratic party
action.
At a dinner rendered to him by
Democrats Of the District of Column
bia. he warmly advocated prohibition
as a Democratic party policy.
The Democratic party won with
out the aid of the wet cities Mr..
Bryan said. and having received the
support of nearly all the prohibition
States and the States where women
vote. Is released 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 1t
will live up to it's opportunities and
obligations"
Suggests Other Reforms.
After reviewing the accomplish
ments Of the administration during its
first term. Mr.. Bryan suggested sew
eral lines along which to work to
secure still more reforms. He also
urged strongly against needing the
plea Of the railroads TO be freed OF
state control. with entire control to
be placed in the hands Of Congress.
and sounded warning against mill
tarism. The United States cannot at
ford to lose its moral prestige, he de-
clared. for the privilege of terror
izing people with a 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.
A change OF the Constitution max
ing It more easily amendable. so that
control Of either the President. the
Senate, or the Hease,-weula- not in
sure defeat OF the proposed amend
ment. Under the present system tkir-
teen OF the smaller States. contain
ing less than one-tenth OF the popu-
lation Of the country would be SUM-
cient to prevent the adoption OF
proposed amendment.
Adoption OF a suffrage policy by
the Democratic party. promising the
influence Of the party toward securing
nationwide enfranchisement of wo-
men.
Wet Arguments IAttle Weight.
Returning to his dry argument.
Mr.. Bryan declared that the statement
that national prohibition Is an assault
upon the rights of States has little
weight in the States where prohibition
has already been adopted. and that
this weight would diminish as the
number Of prohibition States increase.
The Democratic party is the party
Of the people," the former premier
declared. land the home is the peo-
pies citadel. The fight against the
saloon is a fight for the home and
for humanity The Democratic party.
therefore, cannot 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.. Bryan through Oliver
P. Newman, commissioner of the Dis
trict of Columbia AS toastmaster.
Mr.. Newman read the communication
to the diners 1t follows:
President Sends Greeting.
my dear Mr. Commissioner: VIII
you not be kind enough to convey my
very cordial greetings to Mr.. BRYAN
and to those who are assembled to
do him honor at the dinner onf We'd
nesday evening? In the recent cam
paign no one rendered more unset
fish service than Mr.. Bryan. and l am
happy to know that this dinner ex-
presses the genuine admiration OF all
Democrats for him. May ! not by
this means convey to him my warm
est congratulations and best wishes
fContanuAd IN aA~onA ParaN