New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-02-22
Bailey Says Ex-Secretary
Will Not Oppose Re-
nomination.
ONE-TERM PLANK
DOES NOT APPLY
Commoner Stood Only for Con-
stitutlonal Change to Seven
Years in Office.
frrom Tho Tribnns Bureau J

Washington, Feb. 2I.-William j.
Rrvan's acauicscence in the renomina-
ton Of President Wilson, despite the
one-term plank Of the Baltimore plat
form. drawn by his own hand, was con-
frmed to-day by Representative War
rem Worth Bailey, of Pennsylvania ono
of Tho closest friends of the ex-Secro-
tary of State. 49,.
A letter said to have been written
BY Mr.. Bryan to Judge Clayton, oil Ala
bama, was reported some time ago a.
intimating that the ex-Secretary would
sunnort President Wilson's candidacy
The letter, however, has not been maue
nublic. Representative Bailey DIS
claims all knowledge Of 1t, although az
confirms it's substance.
Representative Bailey declared TO-
dav that since the Baltimore conven-
ton he had talked with Bryan on the
subject Of the Presidents denomination
nj least twenty-five times, and that ni'
wavs Mr.. Bryan had expressed the DE-
sire to abide by the wishes OF the
party. md "a.
serted his positive belief, gathered from
conversations with Mr.. Bryan, that the
ey-Secretary of State would not OPP
nose tho enomination OF Mr.. wilson
on anv ground at all. He predicted a
hard fght by Mr.. Bryan against fresl-
don't Wilson's preparedness programme
Int stated that this would all concen-
trato in the fight over the platform
md not enter into the nomination con-
test proof, Mr.. Bailey pointed ou'
that no move had been made by Ar'
Rrvan or any of his friends toward the
election Of delegates to the conventl11,
while steps are already under way oy
friends of the President toward obtain
ing solid delegations.
MIR. Bryan's idea OK one term TOT ,ne
President and no more IS couple9 WIN
the idea that the term should De iohHei
than four years" said RepresentatIVe
Bailey. 81 think he would prefer seven
wears. as he has frequently mentioned
;bo suggestion made by George WASH
ington to that effect. All tnat the one
term plank OF the Baltimore conven-
ton DOunQ inc NditN' "a" - w ;.
he should fight for such change IN
existing law.
that Mr. Bryan will not oppose the
Presidents denomination on day
ground. | have gathered very cleas
Impression, in talking over the ques-
ton of the Presidents attitude on THIS
militaristic issue. that Mr.. Bryan's at
titude is one OF regret that, as he says,
the President has misread public senti-
ment. Mr.. Bryan still hopes that Mr..
Wilson will come around to the view
that the people DO not want more
money spent for the army and navy.
But suppose Mr.. Wilson should con-
tinue 70 believe the people want. pre-
paredness and insists on going ahead,
then what will Mr.. Bryan do? Or.
Bailey was asked.
Fight with all his strength for a
provision in the platform which VIII
bind the party against any such mill
.sristic move" asserted Mr.. Bailey,
With emphasis. Mr.. Bryan believes,
as do many of US who are opposing lie
President on preparedness. that this
one mistake should not be sufficient 70
overbalance all the good that Wilson
has done as President, and we want
him reelected. But We will do our best.
and Mr.. Bryan will be leading the
fight 20 tie Mr.. Wilson's hands on the
one big question on which he Is wrong
by writing into the platform binding
provision against large increases in the
army or naVy."