Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-01-19
Tho BRYAN Program

THE presidential campaign has proceeded
far enough to indicate in fairly con-
elusive way the course which William j.
Bryan may nc expected TO follow i'll his plan
OF action, He has said publicly and no doubt
sincerely that he is not candidate for tho
Democratic nomination. lilo told his hearers
at the jackson Day dinner that what he had
20 say might be the more impressive for the
reason that il did not proceed from the head
or heart OF a candidate
All this may be and probably is true in n
literal sense. He is not candidate in the
pre-convention fight. He is not out gather
ing i'll State delegations or bidding for State
Endorsements. He is asking no leader or
group or leaders for their support He de-
clares that he is interested primari in the
fate OF his policies and is unconcerned re-
gardins personalities But those who have
studied the characteristics of the Nebraska
statesman can scarcely doubt that he is now
as much OF a candidate as he was i'll 1912
AT Baltimore. At that time he was first for
Clark then for Wilson, always holding him
self i'll reserve IL situation should arise
whereby he might seize the honor and march
forth with the party standard in his hands
history promises to repeat itself at San
francisco. Mr.. Bryan will invade that city
establish himself upon the floor OF the con
ventlon and make Il mighty drive 10 domi-
nate the committee on resolutions He will
demand the RICH; to write the party plat
form and will appeal straight from the floor
Tor the adoption of the doctrine which he
VIII lay down, ii his policies are accepted
he wants to commit the psrty to rigid pro-
hibition. He wants to commit il 10 govern
ment ownership OF the railroads and. there
after, TO government ownership OF all public
utilities. He wants to pave the way for the
naturalization OF all basic industries
Inc Commoner has given full warming OF
his purposes. He has shouted his program
from the housetops. He conhded the poll
cies upon which his heart is set 10 his fell
low Democrats in Washington and TO his fell
low countrymen outside that city. He works
always III the open. He has no mysterious
platform planks concealed IL his inside
pocket He has pledged himself to work
LOT the domestic changes just outlined, and
he will be found at San Francisco urging
their adoption.
II Air. Bryan is able 20 sween the con.
vention into an Endorsement OF his program
he may be the only eminent, party leader
qualified 70 act as the exponent and tho de-
tender OF mis- theories. In other words he
may make his nomination possible by max
ing the nomination of anybody else impossi
Die Nor will he hesitate 10 carry the tieb,
10 the country if he should be successful
III gaining approval for his platform. In
iace WIN preliminary victory 10 his credit
y "ou!o be difhcuit 10 deny him anything
further which he might desire
The safest way. it seems for those who dn
not want Mr Bryan nominated is TO send
delegations 10 the convention who will ra
sist the radical ideas OF the Nebraskan If
ms platform is repudiated he will have been
P3oscribed as a candidate. But if that plat
form Is engineered through, be will instantly
become the mos: formidable of the candi.
dates IN the arena 81 the time