William Jennings Bryan to Woodrow Wilson

The Curtin resolution, the text of which I wired you delaying legislation in order to give you time to use diplomacy, has just been voted down in the Senate by a vote of 25 to 10. It was almost a party vote. There are ten Democrats in the Senate and thirty Republicans; eight Democrats and two Republicans voted for the resolution, and 23 Republicans and two Democrats voted against it. The Democratic platform in this state last fall declared strongly for a law prohibiting ownership by those ineligible to citizenship, and two Democratic senators felt bound to favor immediate legislation. The Senate is now discussing amendments to Webb bill, but the vote on the resolution probably indicates the division on the Webb bill. It is possible that the equivalent of Webb bill may agree to limit its operation to two years. But as the situation now stands it seems unlikely that any amendments can be made without the approval of the Progressive leader. The Senate may reach final action on the bill tonight.