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BRYAN AND GUAIIANTBI3I) DEPOSITS
Lincoln, Nob., January 5. To tho Editor of
tho Omaha World-llorald: It was strange that
In your felicitations on tho triumph of tho prin
ciple of guaranteed deposits you should have
omitted from among those to whom you gavo
credit tho man who has for years boon abused
for advocating that roform and who, more than
any othor man, Is entitled to tho credit of forc
ing It upon public attontion and making It a
part of accomplished progressive legislation.
You say "Governor Shallonbergor might just
ly bo called tho father of guaranteed deposits
in Nebraska" because, as you say, "of his early
and enthusiastic advocacy of this measure, etc.
Without desiring to take from any man any
crodlt that Is duo him I bog to say that Mr. C.
0. Whedon of Lincoln has a claim ante-dating
that of Mr. Shallonbergor. In December, 1899,
Mr. Whedon submitted to Mr. 13. J. Burkott,
then a mombor of tho lowor house of congress,
a draft of a guaranteed deposits bill and urged
Mr. Burkett to advocato its passage. Mr. Whe
don also mado a masterly argument beforo the
United States supremo court, whllo -the ablo
efforts, boforo the same body, of Attorney Gen
oral Mullen entitles him to recognition. Nor
must wo forgot that it was a Nebraska lawyer
1. A. Albert, who Is entitled to tho honor of
drafting a bill in so 'perfect a form that tho
supremo court could find no fault with it.
As I say, I would not take from any man tho
credit bolonging to him, but tho vindication of
this principle by tho highest court in tho land
Is of such tromondous Importance to public in
terests and to tho democratic party that no dem
ocratic paper should deny to Mr. Bryan tho
groat crodlt which belongs to him in this con
nection. On September 22, 1893, more than seventeen
years ago, Mr. Bryan introduced in the house
of representatives a guaranteed deposits bill.
In 1907, In public speech, nowspapor inter
view and Commoner editorial, ho urged this
reform upon tho American people. It was in
that year and in January, 1908, that ho ex
changed his famous letters on this subject with
James S. Forgan, tho Chicago banker, and who
can forgot his dramatic meeting with the
Economic club at Now York, when he carried on
his running debate with Lyman J. Gage and
othor financiers, defending tho principle that
has now boon vindicated in law.
Tho Nebraska democratic convention in ses
sion at Omaha March 5, 1908, adopted tho plat
form that not only mado guaranteed deposits
tho Issue in Nebraska, but made it a part of tho
democratic national platform for that year, and
ono of tho loading issues in the presidential
campaign. Mr. Bryan wrote that Nebraska plat
form and his strong speech at that convention
in favor of guaranteed deposits will not soon
bo forgotton by those who heard it.
It will bo seen, therefore, that in this as in
othor groat reforms in Nebraska, as in America,
Mr. Bryan was a pioneer.
There are those who imagine that Bryan and
"Bryanism" aro dead, but thoy are short sight
od men. The tributes to the so-called progres
slvoness of Roosevelt and tho applause for re
publican Insurgents are in reality formal recog
nition of Bryan's great work and vindication
of tho things the smart representatives of trusts
have derisively called "Bryanism," a term that
has in tho past been re-echoed ignorantly by
many who now openly Indorse tho things they
then denounced.
Tho recent decision of the United States
supremo court is one of tho most notable vindi
cations ever given a public man. No personal
or political prejudice should prompt any man
or newspaper to undertake to distort the politi
cal meaning of this decision. It is a vindication
of Bryan and Bryanism, but it Is moro than
that. It Is ono of the many things happening
during recent weeks which indicate to many
thoughtful students of politics that tho Bryan
star Is in tho ascendency, and that by 1912 the
little politicians who have been throwing tin
cans at him will bo mado to know that ho is
as potent in democratic national councils as ho
Is secure in the affoctlons of tho American
people. E. B. QUACKENBUSH.
THOMAS OF COLORADO
Hon. J. H. Crowley, Denver, Colo. -Dear Sir
Many personal friends have, within the past
two days inquired If I intended being a candi
date or tho vacancy in the United States senate
caused by tho death of Mr. Hughes, and have
Tory generously offered mo their support "if I
sought tho position. I have, upon reflect Ion!
determined to answer these inquiries by ad-
The Commoner.
dressing to you an open letter upon the subject
It is superfluous for mo to say that I would
appreciate ho honor of a seat in the senate of
tho United States from tho commonwealth which
has been my homo for nearly .forty years. I
would, of course, accept the position "tho gen
oral assembly deemed mo worthy ofthepace
but, being awaro of the existence of political
differences between many of the te
members of that body and myself, I shall enter
upon no strenuous campaign for tho place. These
differences, whllo wholly impersonal, will nat
urally have their influence upon the ballots oi
individual legislators. anAa
My convictions as to what democracy stands
for aTe well known. I believe that pledges given
officially by tho party to the state and to the
nation constitute solemn covenants with tne
people, and require observance at all times ana
performance wherever possible. Entertaining
these views, my official conduct would be, as
my private efforts have been, governed by them
as far as possible". Indeed I owe it to my friends
and myself to say with reference to state affairs,
that every recommendation made to the general
assembly by Governor Shafroth in his recent
Inaugural, commands my hearty and unqualified .
approval. As to these, I shall hereafter as here
tofore, strive to tho best of my ability to crystal
lize them into tho jurisprudence of our common
wealth. They aro to my mind so much
moro Important than any individual ambition,
however worthy, that I could choose between
their speedy enactment and the senate of the
United States, I would, without an instant's hesi
tation, say, "Give us these laws, and bestow
your honors elsewhere." I would rather be in
strumental In promoting tho consummation of -these
beneficent measures than to hold any posi
tion within the gift of the people.
As to tho national issues the platform of 1908
constitutes our articles of political faith. Tho
dominant party has accepted and acted upon
many of Its precepts. Insurgent republicanism
is builded upon it. The democratic future Is
roseate with hope because of It, and the cam
paign of 1912 will he successful or disastrous
precisely as we shall advocate or abandon its
policies.
Let mo add that the duty which death has
imposed upon our democratic assembly is a
serious and far-reaching one. In its presence
candidates and personalities are of secondary
importance. The nation a'waits the action of
our legislature, and will judge of the sincerity
of our purposes and convictions very largely by
the result. It is my earnest hope that the suc
cessor of Senator Hughes shall measure up to
his high standards, be thoroughly identified
with tho progressive spirit of the hour, alive to
tho perils now menacing republican institutions,
and determined to safeguard the rights, interests
and welfare of the common people, by the recog
nition and enforcement of those gre.it princi
ples which f Jefferson expounded and Lincoln
obeyed.
If, in the opinion of my democratic brethren
of the general assembly, I am such a man I will
accept their commission and serve tho people to
the best of my ability. If, on the contrary,
they believe that some other candidate more
nearly squares with these requirements, it will
become their duty to cast their votes for him
and not for me. I have the honor to be,
Very sincerely your friend,
C. S. THOMAS,
Denver, Colo., January 15, 1911.
VOLUME 11, NUMBER 3
INVITING DISASTER
If tho press dispatches correctly report the
action of tho Kentucky state committee it is in
viting disaster. A refusal to include the selec
tion of a senator in the call for a primary can
not bo explained on any theory consistent with
honest politics or the party's good. If the com
mittee took the action reported without con
sulting tho candidates its conduct is inexcusable
If it acted upon the suggestion of any candidate
for the senate the name of the candidate should
bo given that the people may know who it is
who is not willing to allow the people to nass
upon his right to represent them. The time is
passed when any man, claiming to be a democrat
can innocently favor dark lantern methods in
choosing a senator. No democrat is fit for sen
ator who is afraid to trust the people conscious
ness of unfitness is the only explanation that
fits the case. - From now on until we secure
the election of senators by popular vote a re
fusal to submit the question to the people outfit
to bo a conclusive argument against any candi
date. Kentucky cannot afford to imitate Illinois
In its senatorial elections. ""now
THE BALTIMORE "CONFERENCE"
The Baltimore "conference" or "celebration
called under the auspices of the reorganizers,
did not create quite the stir throughout tho
country that its sponsors expected. According
to the Associated Press reports there was
plenty of "stir" at the banquet table. The
speakers announced were as follows: Senator
Joseph W. Bailey of Texas, Governor Eugqhe N.
Foss of Massachusetts, former Representative
Theodore M. Bell of California, former Senator
Blackburn of Kentucky, Senator Robert M.
Taylor of Kentucky, Senator Shively of Indiana;
Representative-elect Martin W. Littleton of New
York, Chairman of the National Committee
Norman E. Mack and "Deacon" James C. Hemp
hill of Richmond.
Governor Foss was not present. An Asso
ciated Press dispatch prior to the hour of tho
banquet says:
"Before the toastmaster rap's for order, how
ever, the diners are expected to make away with
7,000 Lynn Haven oysters, seventy-five gallons
of diamond back terrapin, 1,650 pounds of Jer
sey capons, 550 canvasback ducks, forty-five
Smithfield hams, 1,000 cocktails, 550 quarts of
champagne, 400 quarts of sauterne and $325
worth of fancy ices, to say nothing of the "fix
ings' that go between the various main courses.
The smoke from 3,000 perfecto cigars will make
the air blue during the response to the various
toasts."
Eleven hundred guests sat down to the ban
quet. An Associated Press report says: "On
the stage in addition to the speakers were many
members of congress from throughout the state
of Maryland. Senator Tillman, of South Caro
lina, Senator Rayner of this state, Henry GaBsa
way Davis of West Virginia, Senator Foster of
Louisiana, Major James C. Hemphill of Virginia
and other notables were in the front row."
Champ Clark delivered a tariff speech. Sen
ator Bailey of Texas, who appeared to be one
of the managers said: "If Champ Clark mates
a better speaker than Mr. Harmon makes a
governor we will name him for president, but
if Governor Harmon makes a better governor
than Champ Clark makes a speaker, then we
are going to nominate Mr, Harmon."
Governor Harmon' of Ohio delivered a speech
on the tariff question; Joe Blackburn, former
senator from Kentucky, attacked "new nation
alism." The Associated Press report says:
. The banquet began soon after 7 o'clock and
it was half past ten before an attempt was made
to secure order. The diners by this time were
not easy to handle. Impromptu celebrations
were in progress at many of the tables and im
proyised orators were holding sway to cheering
coteries of enthusiasts gathered about them.
Finally Toastmaster Ferdinand Williams of
Cumberland began his opening address, despite
I J?, S1?Id.lr,1 he men wh0 sat at the speakers'
table did their best to deliver-the messages they
had prepared for the occasion, but the confu
sion was so great that the voice of Toastmaster
Williams was lost to everyone more than fifty
feet away. When Former Senator Blackburn,
the first speaker, mounted the table this act
was taken as a sign that he had been introduced.
He exhibited gestures which aroused applause,
but his usual eloquence failed utterly to still
the crowd Occasionally the words 'democratic
party' could be caught, and these were all the
audience needed as a sign for renewed outbursts
'rebTvePlnT? Ud Cheering' teTspeS wUh
rebel yells. It was apparent that too much had
been planned in the way of banquet Ineakln
The armory was too large, the dine? toe nuS
ous and the acoustics too bad to permit of anv
semblance of order." Permit of any
dianat1 rS f trlCtS Afr0m the Washington
dispatch carried by the Associated Press:
atfe?01? 8!nat0r and representatives who
fast Jteh wpiakin Day banquet in Baltimore
est todav S eBi2,B,i,UBBlng Wlth unusual ter
est today the significance of a warninc note
which came in the closing minutes of the din-
or California. Mr. Bell did not attempt to start
a Bryan boom; in fact he eliminated the dis
tinguished Nebraskan from any further cons it
eration as the nominee either in 1912 or anv
succeeding presidential year? , Y
SfafttJ? w. Bt nt """tlnuo a polfcy which
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