New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-08-17
HOW COCHRAN ONCE HELPED BRYAN.
THE SPEAKERSHIP FIGHT WHICH GAVE THE
LATTER PLACE on THE WAYS AND
MEANS COMMITTEE

THE sPEAKERsHIP FIGHT WHICH GAVE THE
LATTER PLACE on THE WAYS AND
MEANS COMMITTEE
The reply to he made by W. Bourke Cochran TO
W J. Bryan tomorrow night recalls some personal
history about these two men They served together
IN Congress- and Mr. Bryans pid rise in the House
due a certain extent 10 Mr.. Cochran.
Bryan made his entrance into the arena Of Ma
tional politics in the winter Of 1891 He went 10
Washington member OF Congress representing
a Nebraska district. He attracted no particular at
tention when he made his debut IN the House. There
had been a big Democratic tid&l-wave in 1890 ana
the LID Congress many new faces. When
Bryan entered Congress the Democrats had just
gained control of the House. and there bitter
Tight hand for the Office Of Speaker.
At the start OF the Speakershp fight there were
five candidates-Mills Crisp. Hatch. Springer and
McMilln. The number finally dwndled down 10
two. Crisp and Mills For some unaccountabe rea-
son. al the start OF the fight Bryan attached HIM
self to the Springer procession. II was not an en-
thusiastic boom. hut Bryan. with the tenacity for
which he is noted. hung to il like grim death.
In the closing struggle. Springer. as he went down,
voted for Crisp. but Bryan. who voted on the eau
list before Springer cast his vote for the lat
ter. and let il stand. He never voted for Crisp
After Crisps victory the next struggle was for
advantageous assignments 10 committees. Bryan,
then unknown received a place upon the Ways
and Means Committee position OF legislative ad-
vantage that is keenly fought for in every Con-
gress. This assignment caused some surprise, but
IS accounted for by two reasons-geography and
Springer. When Springer brought his following to
the support OF Crisp in the long Speakership night
IT the direct understanding that Springers
friends were be cared for on the committees.
Bryan had fought for Springer with stubborn
persstency that attracted some attention. Ihen
he in the right spot the map. and, with
bound. he was brought 10 the notice of the House
by being placed upon this important committee.
II in this assignment that Cochran reached
out 10 Bryan a helping hand and practically gave
him Il start upon the National political highway
that led 70 his nomination I'VE years later In the
fight for the Speakership Cochran had practically
managed Crisp's canvass. He scaled the compact
that brought Sprngers strength TO Crisp and re-
warded Bryan with a place on the Ways ard
Means Committee
Bryan passed his first few weeks in Congress
quietly. watching what was going on. 1t was not
until well along IN the session that he made his
maiden speech. Bryan then made good impress
sion upon his audience He was not quite so stout
then as he Is now. OF about medium size. stalwart
in build and smooth shaven, he looked more like
minister than member OF Congress as he arose
70 speak. His hair. always worn long. was flung
back He spoke with an incisveness and directness
that denoted careful preparation and good knowl-
edge Of his theme. This speech gave him repu-
tation a orator
In his second term in Congress, while still men,
Der Of the Ways and Means Committee. of which
Wilson the chairman. Bryan made one Of the
principal speeches in support OF the Wilson bill ana
also speech for free silver which attracted atten
ton. In the course of his career in Congress he
led the forces free silver free the income
tax and a low tariff. and assisted Mr.. Hatch In his
Anti-Option bill fight. He went down In political
landslide after serving terms, and followed his
newspaper vocation until his pyrctechnic speech
ct Chicago gave him Presidential nomination.