The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1920-01-23
BRYAN STANDS
PAT ON EDWARDS
ReiterateS Statement That
He Cannot DiSinfeCt His
Platform.
POSITION "lNDEFENSIBLE"
Favors Early Fight on Prohi
bition if Such an Eventu-
ality Is to Come.

Rome, Ga, Jan. 23,-(Specig =
William Jennings Bryan, who Isl.
! this afternoon to deliver an IS
on the enforcement of the VI
tion laws, reiterated his views on the
position of Edward l. Edwards, the
newly elected governor of New Jer-
sey, bitterly criticislng the governors
prohibition views. He also took oc-
casion TO repeat his opinion of the
attitude of Homer Cummings, chair
man If the national democratic COM
mittee, In the nature of n reply to
secretary Daniels, He also took a
rap at the New York Worlds nomi-
nation of Herbert Hoover as the
democratic candidate for president.
MIR. Bryan said:
Every democrat is entitled to his
opinion | cannot hope to agree with
every one, even with friends, and |
do not care to discuss other peoples
opinions. l have expressed my opin-
ion of Mr.. Cummings conduct and If
L had to repeat it | would make il
stronger instead of weaker. If we
are to have fight in the democratic
the sooner it begins the better.
Il think Gov. Edwards position
upon the liquor question is indefen-
sible and intolerable, if may use
phrase that our party uses about
the trust | don't care what his at
titude is upon other questions, or
how many good things he stands for;
II he is for a return to the saloon
he can't disinfect his platform or de-
odorlze his position by declarations
On any other subject.
Mr.. Cummings has, in my tudg-
ment, forfeited the right to speak for
the democratic party, if his concep-
ton OF his duty is that he shall give
recognition to a candidate like Ed
wards and count him in the list of
men worthy to be considered. That
is m. opinion. | do not expect it TO
De lndorsed by every one merely be-
cause 1t is my opinion. | expect the
matter to be judged by democrats
upon its merits. If | find myself in
the minority, l shall not feel lone
some, but we shall not know how
inc rank and file of the party feel
on the subject until they have had a
chance to speak for themselves.
The Edwards case is the best H.
lustration of the necessity for a cam
palgn Tor law enforcement, for il is
lhe most prominent evidence we have
mad of obstinate resistance to a
constitutional amendment ratified by
forty-flve states II the governor of
q state is bold enough to enter the
presidential race in opposition to
triumph Of national conscience, he
must think that there is a very large
opposition to prohibition, and the
friends of prohibition had better be
on their guard, especially the demo-
cratic friends, since Mr. Edwards
effort is to commit the democratic
party to the saloon side of the dues-
ton"
Mr.. Bryan leaves Rome at 5 O'Clock
this afternoon via automobile for
Referring to the recent selection of
Herbert Hoover as presidential candi- |
date by the New York WorId. Mr.. |
Bryan declared that mo one has ap- |
pointed the World to select the demo- |
cratic presidential candidate. The last |
one It selected was Judge Parker The |
World editorial is worth Just as much |
as the opinion of the man who wrote Il |
ana no more. He is just one man. and |
he fact that he would as leave vote |
or Hoover on the republican ticket as |
he democratic ticket somewhat lessons |
he value Of his advice to either parrv.
And besides he indicates that he would |
want Mr.. Hoover to run for presfaant |
ipon particular kind of platform, and
ne cannot tell until the World editor
announces that platform whether 1t
YOU'D suit the democratic party"