The Penn's Grove record., 1920-07-16
SUBSCRIPTION RATES
Bryan Too Much For Nugent

When the thousands from Jersey
City and Hoboken marched into Tren-
ton last January to hail the conquer
ing hero, Gov. Edwards, they thought
they would own the whole United
States soon. When Gov. Edwards's
name for President was presented in
other states, there "a opposition at
one Having heard of Bryan's
strength, Gov. Edwards decided that
discretion vas the better part of valor
and stayed at home from the National
Convention.
Jim Nugent, in his younger days,
knew that nearly every delegate and
politician he ever met took a drink and
that for many years a plank was put
in the Democratic National platform
against "sumptuary' laws, which was
classed as against prohibition. He
believed that all he would have to do
was to have a roll-call and the old
plank would go thru with a whoop.
But Jim was not in Newark nor Tren-
ton when he got in San Francisco.
Much water has run under the bridge
since he was allowed to attend nation
al conventions before Wilson's day.
He not only found the committee on
resolutions against putting a wet
plank in the platform but the conven-
ton voted against even cider, beer
and wine by a two-thirds vote.
Bryan's dry plank received only
155 1-2 votes and 929 1-2 against.
Then Bourke Cochran made a plea for
wine and beer.
Bryan made the greatest effort of
his life. He told the convention that
the legislature of every Democratic
state in the Union had voted to adopt
the constitutional amendment and
every Republican state but three.
Bryan was provoked to his best to-
ward the close of his speech by inter-
ruptions. He demanded to know if
there was a mar in the New York and
New Jersey delegations, which were
wet, who would arise and say that he
was glad the saloon was gone. Prac-
tically every man in the New York
delegation leaped to his feet, followed
quickly by the ~Jerseyites.
Bryan, who had just been greeted
with cheers and Kisses when he said
they stood for the dram shop, follow
ing Bourke Cockran's declaration that
he did not want the saloon, was ap-
parently surprised at this answer.
"We hope you will get the news
papers back in New YORK to print
what your positions are on this ques-
tion," said Bryan.
eve win," chorused the Tammany-
ties.
Perhaps" said Bryan, eff we have
been able to convert you against the
saloon IN this length Of time, after
we have forced Prohibition on you
against your will, we win be able to
convert you all the way in a year or
so longer"
1t was worth all of the intense eff
forts of Mr.. Bryan at the convention
to force such a declaration from sach
a gang.
Of course, these men were not sin
cere.
Never before had Anti umptuary
failed in a DEMOCRATIC Convention, but
Bryan was commander at this Water
loo. The wet plank received S56 votes
and 726 1-2 against.
Jim Nugent became so Disguised
that he left the convention before the
nomination was made. Jim learned
much by going to the convention. He
learned that Newark, Jersey City,
Trenton and New York are living in a
past generation. The Nation has en-
tered a new era, a new epoch, a new
age since he helped elect Woodrow
Wilson governor in 1910. Having
seer a new light at the Golden Gate
there is hope for Gov. Edwards and
Jim Nugent.