Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1916-02-13
Bryan Political Machine and the Liquor Question in
Nebraska A Caustic ReUietO by Richard Lee MetcaFe

until we get the initiative and refer
endum. That Is the way TO settle such
questions"
Eight O'Clock CIOsnng.
II was at that session OF the legislature
that Victor r. Wilson, then q member
from Polk county. and now a candidate
for the democratic nomination for rail-
way commissioner. had charge OF the
passage OF the 8 o'clock closing bill The
legislature finally passed that bill. A
terrific fight ensued for the purpose OF
persuading Governor shallenberger "a
veto the bill. He gave Il his approval
The Bryan political machine manifested
little concern In either the passage or the
approval OF this s o'clock closing bill
Efforts were made by friends Of the
measure to persuade leaders of the Bryan
machine to have Mr.. Bryan wire the
governor asking him to approve the bill
But those efforts were unavailing.
Governor Shallenberger was the target
for ali sorts of abuse from the liquor in
tertsts, but he obtained no encouragement
from the Bryan machine.
In 1910, during Mr.. Bryan's visit to
South America. Mr.. Bryan's brother con-
ceived the notion that Nebraska should
have a special session OF the legislature
in order to submit to the people an initia-
tive and referendum amendment. To this
end Governor Shallenberger was nagged
at every opportunity by Mr.. Bryan'e
brother and that parsonage even went 80
far. during Governor Shallenberger's abb
sence from the state, to announce that
special session would be called
Public sentiment in Nebraska was op-
posed to a special session and Governor
shallenberger refused TO call It, although
he did everything possible to prevent a
break with the Bryan machine.
Then Mr.. Bryan announced that he
would make n fight TO put the county
option plank in the democratic platform
The convention-held at Grand Island
rejected the proposition.
Helped Beat shaIIenberRer.
1t was during that primary that Mr.
Dahlman contested with Governor Shall
enberger for the nomination. The liquor
interests were arrayed against Governor
Shallenberger on account of his approval
OF the o'clock closing law and they
lined up solldly behind Mr.. Dahlnan.
Every possible effort was made to per
suade the Bryan machine to do something
In behalf Of Governor Shallenbergers re-
nomination. but It did not do It ana ali
the time the efforts OF the Bryan political
maohine-made in the covert and hypo-
critical way characteristic of that ma
chine-were exerted to the embarrassment
Of Governor Shallenberger and as a con-
sequence to the help OF Mr.. DahlmaTFs
nomination
Dnh
Then MIR. Bryan announced that he would
not make speeches for Mr.. Dahiman. He
did not, however, bolt him outright usgtil
several days before election-when it was
apparent Mr.. Dahlman would be defeated
Tor governor. Then Mr.. Bryan made one
speech at Omaha and another at Lincoln
m which he declared strongly for the de-
feat OF Mr.. Dahlman.
In 1911 the Nebraska legislature sub
mitted the initiative ana referendum
amendment
In 1912. after woodrow wilson's nonnina-
ton for the presidency. the democratic
state convention again assembled al
Grand Island Mr.. Bryan was, OF course
anxious Tor the election of Mr.. wEson
Mr.. Bryan controlled tho convention as
well as the resolutions committee. He
made no effort to include county option
plank or other temperance measure In
that platform. although two years before
he had declared-even as he declares To-
day-that the democratic party must pro-
nounce its freedom from the liquor inter
ests yoke. The reason that he did not
want the liquor question injected in thai
campaign was that he wanted woodrow
Wilson elected and he knew that the in
lection OF the liquor question at the state
convention would demoralize the party II
this state.
II was the same reason for his unwill-
insness to drag the liquor question II
during the several campaigns when Mr.
Bryan himself was a candidate for office
How They Explained IL.
Al the 1919 state convention there wers
a lot OF dry democrats who were dry
all the time. The had heard Mr.. Bryan
at the 100 convention say that the nquol
question was the life and DEATH ques
ton. They had heard him IN his magnifi
cent speech OF 1910 declare-just as ht
now declareS-that the party must shsks
off the liquor interests yoke. And thes,
dry democrats asked II the question
was so important In 1910 why not put Il
in the platform OF 1919 now that Mr.
Bryan controlled the convention and th'
resolutions committee. This question be
oarue embarrassing. But they were FIN
ally told by the representatives OF tbs
Bryan political machine that Il was mo-
necessary to drag the liquor question n
for tbs reason that the initiative AMI
referendum would be adopted and tina
provided the method whereby such cues
lions could be disposed Of without part,
embarrassment or disgenSion amonl
democrats. It was the Same answer Mr.
Bryan himself had given Mrs. Head II
1909 II Is the same point urged b!
dry and wet democrats today who
anxious for the reelection OF Woodrow
Wilson. do not want the party In Ne
braska demoralixod any moro than Mr.
Bryan wanted It demoralized in 1912. whel
he really wanted Mr.. Wilson elected; an,
more than Mr.. Bryan wanted the part,
demoraliEed when he himself was a can
didats for office.
Later Mr.. Bryan went into the cabinet
While he was there the big fight 70
national prohibition was on. He had
chance TO help. He did not do Il.