Evening star., 1924-05-23
BRYAN FIGHTING HARD
TO GO TO CONVENTION
Commoner's Chances of Being Del
egate From Florida Are
Improving.
STUMPING STATE IN FLIvvER
Chooses Method to Get Closer to
Common People"
BY ROBERT r. SMALL.

William Jennings Bryan is making
what may prove to be his last political
stand in Florida. He has been fighting
for place on the Florida delegation to
the Democratic national convention in
New York, and whereas a few months
ago it was virtually certain that defeat
was staring him in the face. the latest
word from Florida is that he may win
the coveted honor.
Mr.. Bryan's state campaign has been
as picturesque in it's way as any he
has made since that fateful day twenty
eight years ago when he dramatically
declared that labor should not be crucf-
fed on a cross of gold. nor have its
brow all cluttered up by a crown of
thorns.
On Tour I'm Fliyver.
Mr. Bryan has been touring his
adopted state in a flivver. He is
sixty-four years of age and the hand
Of time does not sit as lightly upon
his shoulders as once it did. Never
theless. he has come through the
strenuous. campaign with plenty of
physical strength in reserve. and IL
he is elected he is ready to wade
time energy. Mr.. Bryan's trip has
taken him into every county of
Florida, except two that include a
goodiy part Of the Everglades The
@ eaorlaa giades rapidly are being
Vation; but most of the inhabitants
are still non-voters, so Mr.. Bryan's
campaign may be said to have In
ciuoed virtually the entire voting
strength of the state
Inc cOmmOQer MIGHT bo,.a
ed In limousine If he had desired
but ne felt the Ford would ct him
closer TO the common people, and he
chose that method of transportation.
Mr.. Bryan has been compelled tn
make lies an interesting story. When
ne nrst announced his intention Of
asking to be sent to the New York
convention as delegate at large he
felt that the mere announcement was
sufficient to assure him of election at
the primaries, which are to be held
the first week in June. So certain of
election was Mr.. Bryan that he fol-
lowed his first announcement with q
second one, saying that if the state
primary instructed the delegates to
vote for Oscar Underwood for Presi-
dent he would not be bound by any
such directions.
Found Chances Uncertain.
1t was not very long after this that
the fact became gradually but surely
borne in upon the commoner that all
was not gold with his chances of
election.
Thereupon he conceived the grand
idea of saying that If elected a dele
gate to the national convention he
would propose the nomination of a
dry Florida Democrat for the presi-
W.T. 81 a
There were demands that he name
his man." and insinuations that per-
haps after all Mr.. Bryan was himself
the good dry Florida Democrat who
might be urged for the nomination.
The Commoner vehemently denied
these "baseless rumors." He came
out at last with the statement that
he was in favor of Prof. A. A. Muir
versity, for President of the United
States. Mr.. Murphree was as much
taken by surprise as the people of
Florida generally,
This correspondent, writing from
Florida at the time, said that Mr..
Bryan was in for severe drubbing
at the primary polls in June; that his
various moves in the race had all re-
acted against him.
Abfdes By Instructions.
At last Mr.. Bryan took the advice
and counsel or some oi MS ciosei
friends. He announced that If elect
ed a delegate he would abide by the
primary instructions. Thereupon, a
number of the papers which had
been attacking his position ceased
their assault and some actually urged
his election. Among the latter was
the Miami News, owned and edited
by former Gov. James M. Cox. Dem
ocratic candidate for President In
1920. Gov. Cox personally urged that
Mr.. Bryan be given the honor he de-
sired.
Next came the strenuous speaking
and canvassing campaign by Mr..
Bryan. Now Mr.. McAdoo has asked
that he be supported, so, altogether,
il looks at last as II things might be
breaking better for the commoner
and his last political fight may prove
successful one.
fCopyrfght 19o4.l