Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1924-01-17
FLORIDA DEMOCRATS
TURN DEAF EAR To
BRYAN'S AMBITIONS
Political Buffoonery Laid to
Con1moner in Effort to Be
Convention D Gle gate.
FetchIer's Friends RiIed
BY ROBERT T. SMALL
LEASED Wire Service to The Journal. J
iConpriohf 1Qoi)


MIAMI BEACH, Fla. Jan. 10
William Jennings Bryan faces one
of the most crucial tests Of his long
and tempestuous political life in his
effort to be named a delegate at
large from Florida TO the Democrat
ic national convention.
At the present moment the
chances seem to be all against the
great coIlmoner, but as the primaries
are not held until the first of next
June there may be a change of SEN
timent in his favor. Three times the
national standard bearer of his par
ty, Mr.. Bryan may be turned down
in his ADOPTED state for the compar-
atively lowly office Of national con-
yention delegate.
Mr.. Bryan's latest move in an
nouncing that he is for DR.. A. A.
Murphree. head Of the Florida state
university, for president of the
United States has reacted against
has given his political enemies the
chance to say Mr.. Bryan is drag
ging in" the eminent educator as a
stalking horse and that the Common
er still has ambitions which lie in
the direction of the White House.
some time ago that he had a dark
horse up his sleeves, a dry southern
progressive, some persons thought
he was going to name Josephus Dan
iels, of North Carolina. Mr. Bryan
blasted that idea, however, by say
ing ne had narrowed his choice to
Floridian. Then the political wise
acres and the paragra piers of the
country all jumped to the conclusion
that Mr.. Bryan coyIy was about TO
nominate himself.
Opposed by Fletcher's Friends
Mr. Murphree is greatly admired
down here in Florida, but is realized
by his closest friends that national
ly he is known only among the
higher educational circles. Political
ambition has not been attributed to
him in any degree. So Mr.. Bryan's
announcement for him seems to have
been but another of number of
moves which have made the former
Nebraskan a bit unpopular with the
Florida Democrats.
First OF all there Is a belief that
Mr.. Bryan is grooming himself to
contest the seat of Senator Duncan
Fletcher two years. from now. This
has naturally caused resentment
L. =
Mr.. Bryan has not appeased them
by including the senator among the
Florida Democrats he would be glad
to support in the event of his nOmi
nation. The Democrats down here
know full well that no Floridian has
a chance to be named for the presi-
dency at this time, and they regard
Mr.. Bryans enthusiasm for Florid-
ian as piece of political buffoonery
which they do not relish.
Underwood Opposition
Mr.. Bryan further has announced
that if he is elected a delegate to the
national convention, he will oppose
with all his heart and soul any at
tempt to nominate Senator Oscar
Underwood, of Alabama. The com.
moner regards the Albanian as a
wet" and a reactionary, two things
that are anathema to him. 1t so
happens, however, that Mr.. Under
wood has quite a following in this
state and may get the delegation. If
the Underwood sentiment grows and
the Bryan opposition to him con,
tinues, as everyone expects it to, this
fact will further initiate against Mr.
Bryan's chances of ever getting to
the convention.
The Florida Democrats have not
braskan. Many of them still look
upon him as an outsider and are
reluctant to turn down their own
kind TO heap political honors on the
newcomer despite his notable
past
In standing for delegate at large,
Mr.. Bryan will have to be voted for
all over the state. Ii will be the test
of his political future. IL elected, he
undoubtedly will go forward with
his senatorial plans. II defeated, it
may mean his political end. Personal
~, Mr. Bryan is extremely popular
here in his new environment, but
politically the Democrats of the state
say they DO not believe he will play
ball with them but will be beholden
unto himself as a delegate. 1t may
be therefore that Mr.. Bryan viii
have TO sit in the New York conven,
ton on q proxy or not at all.