Evening star., 1896-09-12
Permission Asked for Mr.. Bryan y 1T to
: SPEAK, There.
vice PRESIDENT STEVENSON AsSENTS
Speaker Reeds Reply to Senator
" j.. Faulkner Eagerly Awaited.
TIE PoL1r1os OF 1T

It leaked out this afternoon that the joint
democratic committee at the meeting at
Meyers Hotel last might transacted busi-
ness OF q good deal more Importance In
regard to. the proposed reception OF Mr..
Bryan than the members Of the body cared
to dtvulge. The fact is that they deter
mined upon what Col. James Oliver Of Par
adise Park would call at coop day tay-
tay' In regard to the place Of holding the
ratification meeting next Saturday night.
When the discussion over this subject had
waxed warm and signs Of irritation had be-
gun to be evident 1t was suggested that
Mr.. Bryan should be invited to make his
address from the east front of the United
States Capitol. 1t was pointed out that the
-ent1Fs population Of Washington could
gather in the vast area fronting the ma
TONS building. and that all could at least
see Mr.. Bryan, even II they could not hear
what he had to say.
This proposition was hailed with what
would be termed in the far west as wild
acclaim" But when the enthusiasm sub
sided sufficiently it was remarked that per
haps some permission might have TO be
obtained in order to hold the ratification
meeting In the Capitol grounds. -.-... -.
Powers That Could Give Permission.
A committee was delegated to ascertain
found that the law relating to such matters
provided that the Capitol grounds could be
used for public purposes on occasions Of
national interest and for the passing of
professions and parades, provided the per-
mission of the president of the Senate and
the Speaker of the House Of Representa-
tiVeS was secured.
The law further provided that in case Of
the absence of the two officials named such
permission could be granted by the board
of Capitol guardians. which consists of the
architect Of the Capitol, the captain of the
Capitol police force and the sergeant-at-
arms Of the Senate Vice President Ste
venson and Speaker Reed being both abb
sent, 1t was at first intended to request the
desired permission from the Capitol guar
dians. as designated. - 20"
The importance of the question, however,
was so great that the democrats on the
joint committee concluded that 1t would
be 'better to approach the Vice President
and the Speaker of the House and decided
to have recourse to, the teiegraphic. wires
for that purpose. T. 49, -. -
The Vice President Says .Yes.
This morning, accordingly. Senator
Faulkner. the chairman Of the democratic
nsressional eonfmittse, at the request, Of
the 1iecal democrats, ,telegraphed, to Vice
President Stevenson and to Speaker Reed
explaining the situation here, and request
ing their permission. 40 use the Capitol
grounds next Saturday afternoon for the
Bryan gathering and also permission for
Candidate Bryan 4o speak from the steps
of the Capitol building-' - 80. -
Shortly after. tho noon hour today Sem
ator Faulkner received a reply from Vice
President Stevenson, granting on his part
democratic circles that Speaker ResH Will
send 4 similar telegram before pisnt But
| 1t Is secretly hoped that his reply Will be
a. declipation of Nj. Fan4kner's request
Mr.. Reeds Rapiy,s. .problematicaf.,
1t is known that Atr., Reed is a great
stickler for the letter Of. the law and tie
propEieties surrounding the national dig
nifty. 1t Is believed IN republican circles,
which became acquainted, with the fnten-
ton OF the local democrats. that Mr. Reed
Will not regard the visit Of Mr. Bryan tn
asnington and his delivery of a political
speech here as an. event of national in
terest In the sense intended by the law
regulating the use Of the United States
capitol grounds. ,
Some Of the more bitter partisans anons
the republ1cans do not hesitate to declare
that as the Coxey army and its leader
were excluded from the Capitol grounds
there Is no reason why Mr. Bryan and his
followers should not be treated in the same
way. ~, :. -,
Importance of the Answer. -.-.
Some other republicans, however regard
the question submitted to Mr.. Reed as one
that might be productive of -fiI4resuts
should 1t be negatively answered.
Iney are aware that the leading demo-
Gratis who are in charge Of Campaign af-
lars Ia would seize ON a declnation of Speak
et ea Iteen 10 grant Mr. Bryan permission to
speak in the Capitol grounds as a piausihl,s
argument by which they would endeayor
to show that Mr.. Reed had used his h;rh
once, once TO visit partisan displeasure on his
political opponents and their leader
1t Is understood that several teIae,r.ms
were sent to Speaker Reed this afternoon
the majority of which advised him to ora -;
Ine request of Senator Faulkner and thus
prevent any of the excited dfscussion tho
must follow in case of his decIinationl '''''