Evening star., 1924-01-16
bryan MAYLOSE
DELEGATE RACE
Support of Educator for
Presidency Reacts Against
Commoner.
By ROBERT r. SMALL.

Special Dispatch to The Star.
MIAMI BEACH, Fla, January 16.-
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 democratic national
convention.
At the present moment the chances
seem to be all against the great COM
moner, but as the primaries are not
held until the 1st Of next June there
may be a change Of sentiment in his
favor. Three times the national stand
ard bearer of his party, Mr.. Bryan may
be turned down in his adopted state
for the comparatively lowiy ofioe Of
national convention delegate.
Announces for R1oridian.
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 him, rather
than in his favor. 1t has given his
political enemies the chance to say
Mr.. Bryan is dragging In" the emf.
nent educator as stalking horse and
that the coTnmoner still has ambi-
tions which lie in the direction OF
the White House. When Mr.. Bryan
first announced some time ago that
he had dark horse up his sieeve--a
sons thought he was going to name
Josephus Daniels OF North Carolina.
Mr.. Bryan blasted that idea, how
ever. by saying he had narrowed his
choice. choice to q Floridian; Then the
graphers of the country all jumped to
the conclusion that Mr.. Bryan coyly
was about to nominate himself
Mr.. Murphree ID greatly admired
down here in Florida, but is realized
he Is unknown only among the high
er educational circles. Political am
bition has not been attributed 10 him
in any degree. So MIR. Bryan's an
been but another OF a number OF
moves which have made the former
Nebraskan q bit unpopular with the
Florida democrats.
May Conteat Fletcher.
First Of all there is a belief that
Mr.. Bryan is grooming himself to
contest the seat Of Senator Duncan
L. Fletcher two years from now.
This naturally has caused resentment
among the Fletcher supporters, and
Mr.. Bryan has not appeaeed 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 Floridfan has
chance to be named for the presi-
dency at this time. and they regard
Mr.. Bryan's enthusiasm for q Flori-
dan as a piece Of political euffoonery
which they do not relish.
Mr.. Bryan further has announced
that II he Is elected 4 delegate to the
national convention he will oppose
with all his heart and soul any at
tempt to nominate Senator Oscar Tn
regards the Alabaman rs a wet" and
reactionary--two things that are
anathema to him. 1t SO happens.
however. that Mr.. Underwood has
quite following in this state and
may get the delegation. If the I'm
Bryan opposition to him continues, as
every one expects 1t to. this fact will
further initiate against Mr.. Bryan's
chances of ever getting to the con-
vention.
Bryan stu "Outslder.n
The Florida democrats have not yet
kan. 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. 1t will be the
test of his political future. II elected
he undoubtedly will 60 forward with
his senatorial plans. II defeated II
may mean his political end. Per-
sonally Mr.. Bryan Is extremely poPu-
lar 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
only unto himself as 4 delegate. 1t
may be, therefore, that Mr.. Bryan
will have to sit in the New York con-
vention on = proxy or not at all.