Volume 14 , Issue 31

1907 - Wm. J. Bryan In Oklahoma

In 1907 William J. Bryan was editor and proprietor of The commoner, printed in Lincoln, Nebraska. In the 13 September 1907 of The Commoner there was an article concerning "Mr. Bryan In Oklahoma." Bryan delivered several speeches in the Oklahoma campaign which campaign terminated Tuesday, September 17, 1907, when the election would take place. On the first day he spoke at Vinita, Tulsa and Sapulpa, in Indian Territory (eastern part of Oklahoma). Bryan also spoke at Bristow, Chandler and Oklahoma City on that same day. On the second day he spoke at Woodward and Alva in Oklahoma Territory (northwest part).

In Oklahoma City 10,000 people heard Bryan reply to the recent address of Secretary of War Taft upon the Oklahoma-Indian Territory political situation, in the convention hall. Three thousand people unable to secure admittance to the auditorium, attended an overflow meeting nearby. Bryan was enthusiastically received.

In Bryan's speech in Oklahoma City he advised the people to reject the proposed constitution and postpone statehood until another Enabling Act could be secured. Bryan also mentioned at first blush one might suspect that the secretary's advice was due to his personal interest in the next election. It was thought that Bryan might have been accused of advising the postponement of statehood with a view to keeping seven electoral votes out of the democratic column, but the more generous view taken in the matter was that his advice resulted from his habits of thought.

Bryan was inclined to postpone everything. He promised to acquire the title of "The Great Postponer." In a speech made at Columbus, Ohio, he announced himself as in favor of tariff reform, but he would postpone it until after the next election. Bryan also made an elaborate argument in favor of the income tax, but he would postpone it indefinitely. He agreed with the president in regard to the wisdom of an inheritance tax, but that, too, he would postpone until a more convenient season. He did not seriously object to the valuation of railroads, but he did not declare for it immediately. Bryan, on his way to the Philippines, told the Filipinos that, while he thinks they ought to have self-government after while, he wants it postponed. It was not strange that Bryan should yield to his ruling spirit in the matter of statehood and tell you to put it off.

Bryan held out the hope of another enabling act, but what assurance could he give that a republican congress will act immediately to bring in a democratic state just before a presidential election. Bryan also mentioned at the Oklahoma City gathering in 1907, "You have been struggling for statehood for some fifteen years and now when it is within your grasp, he asks you to exchange a certainty for the delusive promise of another chance. Does he control the congress to such an extent that he can guarantee immediate action?"   |  View or Add Comments (0 Comments)   |   Receive updates ( subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

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