The New York herald., 1920-01-22
EDWARDS CANDIDACY
ATTACKED BY BRYAN
Declares He Will Resign as
Delegate if Jersey Man Is
Nominated.
SCORES HOMER S. CUMMINGS
Chairman Must Quit Vets or Re-
sign His Post, Asserts
Commoner.

NORFOLK. Va, Wednesday.-Wil
Jennings Bryan. speaking here today un-
der the auspices of the Anti-Saloon League
OF America. declared that he would oppose
any movement to bring about the selection
of Governor Edward I. Edwards. Of New
Jersey. as the Democratic nominee for
President in 1920.
The former Secretary OF State asserted
that II the address made by Homer S.
Cummings. chairman of the Democratic
National Committee, at the dinner held
last night in Newark in honor of the newly
inaugurated New Jersey executive cor
rectly expressed the chairman's attitude he
would oppose him for chairman of the
National Committee.
Edwards has picked out my own State.
Nebraska to launch his campaign in de-
clared MIR. Bryan, but If Nebraska IN
structs for Edwards I'll never be u dele
gate TO the National Convention
Referring to the address made by Chair
man Cummings. Mr.. Bryan said:-
"If that is Cummings attitude he'll never
be chairman of the Democratic Committee
gain If I can help it..
Referring again to Governor Edwards.
whom he said conducted his campaign In
New Jersey on wet ticket, Mr.. Bryan
reiterated -
IF Nebraska instructs for Edwards and
I am a delegate, I'll resign. I'll never vote
TO nominate n man like that
Following eloquent appeal for sup
port OF the Anti-Saloon League, he d.
gressed to say -
''Twenty-four years ago I commenced
running for President" and laughter fol-
lowed.
Nineteen hundred years ago." he added.
"the wise men came from the East, and
New York editors think they are still
coming. No reform ever started in New
York. and they can have no faith in reform
OF any kind"
Referring 10 the possibility Of Repub-
lican victory this year, Mr.. Bryan said =
rGod did not put the impossible in the
hands OF any human being. especially a
Republican, and no Republican is going to
be permitted to nominate the next Presi-
dent of the United States"
Nearly 5000 people were packed in the
City Auditorium to hear Mr.. Bryan, who
was greeted with loud applause as he en-
tered the building.
Bryan scored Governor Edwards for his
stand on the Prohibition question ques-
ton and flayed Cummings for what he
termed the Chairman's apparent support
OF the New Jersey Governor.
The Democratic Party Is too near and
dear to me to allow me to let il be buried
with the liquor interests declared Mr..
Bryan. IF am elected delegate to the
national convention and my State in
structs me to vote for Mr.. Edwards 1
would refuse TO serve. I won't join with
Mr.. Edwards in trying to turn the
Democratic Party over to the liquor in
terests.
''If the chairman" he continued, refer
ring to Cummings. has not sense enough
to know better than to join in boom for
a candidate like that, he hasn't sense
enough to be on the committee.
Mr.. Bryan took fling at Edwards again
when he referred to reports that Edwards
had announced his candidacy for Presi-
dent in Nebraska and Virginia.
''I don't know why Mr.. Edwards went
to Nebraska to announce his candidacy"
he said. unless he wanted a hot fight.
And II he did. he sure came to the right
place. If Edwards comes down here, /
want you to be ready for him"
Asserting that the liquor interests were
going TO take the fight against nationwide
prohibition into politics and try to elect
wet" President on a wet platform,
the former Secretary of State announced
he could bring evidence to prove his state
ments
Many members ~of the State Assembly
were in the audience and to them Mr..
Bryan directed an appeal that the wom-
ans suffrage amendment be ratified at
this session.