Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1896-07-30

take advantage Of his inexperience by
interrupting him with questions that
might have puzzled much older heads.
But Mr.. Bryan frightened under this
friction and forced one Republican after
another into his seat, all Of them find
ing the young Nebraskan more than
their match. He argued his case with a
dramatic directness that aroused not
only the enthusiasm of the Democrats,
but won the applause Of the galleries.
First Recognition In Congress.
The first cheers the young man won
from his fellow congressman were elic-
tied by characteristic piece Of wit.
''There was once a time in the his
tory of Nebraska" he said, when
there was sheep there for avery per-
son in the state. But new, if every wo-
man in Nebraska named Mary wanted
pet lamb, she would have to go out Of
the state to get it. F"
The peroration of that speech is worth
quoting, for it shows tersely the stand
Mr.. Bryan has taken on the tariff ques-
tion all through his public career. 1t is
as follows:
''The country has nothing to fear
from the Democratic policy upon the
tariff question. 1t means a more equal
distribution of the great advantages of
this country. It means that the men
who produce the wealth shall retain a
larger share of it.
1T is for this reason that young men
of this country are coming to the Dem
ocratic party. It is because we are
right, and right will triumph. The day
will come, and that soon. trust, when
wiser economic policies will prevail
than those to which the Republican
party is welded; when the laws in this
country will be made for all and not for
a few; when those who annually con
gregate about this capital, seeking to
use the taxing power for purposes Of
private gain, will have lost their occu-
patton; when the burdens Of govern
ment will be equally distributed and its
blessings likewise.
Hail that dayl When it comes, to
use the language of another, Democracy
will be king. Long liYe the kingP"
Next 10 tine smooth shaven, boyish
Bailey of Texas he was the youn gest
member of the house. He sat away
back near the rail with Kilgore, who
Unexpectedly acquired fame by kicking
open the main door, which Reed had
ordered locked while counting a ''visi-
BILE quorum.
Bryan attracted little or no attention.
To the men even from the west his abil-
ity was unknown He was looked upon
as one Of the accidents Of politics. like
George Fred Williams, who seconded
his nomination for the presidency /;
Sherman Hoar and others, who came
from districts never before and never
since represented by Democrats.
He was guilty of the crime of being
a young man. He could not deny it, It
was undeniably written all over his
smooth, clear cut face; was revealed in
the sparkle of his dark brown eyes. and
was undeniably betrayed in his first
speech. fiowery and spread eagle, which
was side tracked to The Congressional
Record without being delivered Put
aside by the leaders, who deny any lati-
tude to inexperience, he sat day, after day
in his seat, watching parliamentary
tricks and subtleties and mentally col
lecting knowledge of men and affairs,
which he used with surprising tact and
force when his opportunity came.
His years were betrayed only in his
face and his suppressed speech. He
looked the statesman and dressed with
fitting dignity. In season and out, defy
ing the tropical sun of the long August
days in the nation s capital, he appeared
in a long black Prince Albert, black
cravat and black trousers, which showed
no signs Of tailor's attention.
He was punctual in his attendance,
sat throughout the long sessions and
then went home The allurements Of
society, the official functions the sena-
torial teas and the congressional junkets
he put aside as pitfalls to be avoided by
a man who came from a district nor
mally Republican, with probably only
two years to serve, and with every in
centive for a prudent man suddenly
raised from yearly income of next 10
nothing to So, 900 to save enough 80
that when he got back to his dusty law
yer's desk, empty of briefs, he could
provide for his family until his profess
sion brought him substantial returns.
Bryan made friends even with his
great handicap of youth and inexperi-
ence He had charm of manner that
won him recognition and invited conf
dence. Judge Crisp was impressed with
the promise in the young, smooth shaven
member from the valley of the Platte.
He had helped Crisp in his canvass for
the speakership, and Crisp put him on
the important ways and means commit
tee-an exceptional honor, which, while
1t gave him standing, exposed the
speaker TO much criticism.
The wisdom of Speaker Crisp's judg-
ment in appointing the young Nebras-
kan upon the ways and means commit
tee was shown when Mr.. Bryan made
his first speech. It was a brilliant plea
for tariff reform and made the biggest
hit of the debate.
The house was in confusion when he
began speaking. but in five minutes
every Democratic leader sat about him
listening intently. The Republicans
soon paid the young orator the same
compliment, the galleries began to fill
up and the crowd remained until be
had finished.