The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1896-08-01
A NEAR VIEW OF BRYAN.
His Republican Law Partner Ana
Iyzes the Candidates Character.

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The New York Sun published the fol-
lowing dispatch from Lincoln, Neb.:
William j. Bryan law partner and most
intimate personal friend is man of about
his own age. Heis stalwart republican.
A. r. Talbot is one of the prominent re-
publicans of the State A month ago he
was nominated for the State Senate. No
body in Nebraska entertains higher
opinion of Bryan, personally, than his
partner, but he does not hesitate to con-
denim his associates political views.
q Bryan is to be admired for everything
except his politics, and l know he is honest
in his politics, said Mr.. Talbot, who
chatted in an interesting manner about his
partner.
''Will Bryan and | were classmates in
the Union Law College in Chicago. We
entered the college the same day, in 1881,
and we left it together. We usually &C.
cupied adjoining seats, and during two
years we were the closest of chums. |
first met him the year before in Galesburg
at an oratorical contest. He represented
Illinois College in the contest and took
second prize, don't remember his sub
ject now, but he made deep impression.
Even then he had considerable reputa-
ton as a public speaker He had while
in college stumped the State of Illinois for
w. NJ Springer, with whom Bryan was
always on the most intimate and friendly
terms. Congressman Springer, you know,
got Bryan place on the ways and means
committee. Will was known as a ready,
witty talker, and he was much in demand.
His utterances were usually carefully pre-
pared in advance and were always polished
and graceful. While we were attending
the Law College he delivered an address on
Abraham Lincoln that was very generally
commented on.
'sDid you then regard him as cut out
for public man p
81 did not | knew he was bright
fellow, who would get on in the world, but
| never thought of him as destined for a
great career. As a matter Of fact, We
were both poor boys, struggling to make
our way, and neither one of us thought
much of the future then 1t kept us busy
taking care of the present. We were both
utterly without means and had to work oul
way through college worked in one law
office and viii in another-Lyman Trum
bulls, by the way-for So per week
We paid all of our expenses out of that
In those days we lunched pretty regularly
on nickels worth of crackers and apples
but we dined heavily at night. -
"What happened when you left the
Law College,
"We were graduated in June, 1888
Will went to jacksonville to engage in thu
practice of the law, and | came to Lincoln
Immediately, | didn't see him again til
1887, when he came West on some lega
business. He stayed in Lincoln with M,
over Sunday. l was away part of thu
day, and so did not see much of him, blu
before saying goodbye I suggested that h
come out to Lincoln and go into partner
ship with me- 1 told him would guar
antee him living, and that was about al
he was getting in Jacksonville. told hin
he was Just the kind of man to come on
West and grow up with the country. FL
did not have very much to say, but shortl
after he reached home he wrote me ant
wanted 10 know if | was in earnest whel
| made him the offer of partnership.
replied that | was, and in few weeks h
came out again and remained here 81
days. At the end of that time he returne,
to Jacksonville, closed up his bushes
there and came back with his family, pre-
pared to stay. Some time afterward b
purchased a lot on d street for $500 o
5000. His father-in-law, Mr.. Baird
sent him the money to build the house
50, 700, think. He settled down to tn,
practice of law, but he devoted some at
tention to politics almost from the first, an,
within year and half of the time of hi
arrival in Lincoln he was nominated b,
the democrats for Congress
s'Bryan is an upright, conscientious
Christian man. | have never known
finer character | am positive that h
went into politics with no selfish motives
He is thoroughly convinced that the coun
try is beset with conditions that call for tn
highest patriotism, the noblest endeavor
and he regards it his duty to help RICH
what he says are the wrongs of the people
l could give you many instances of hi
disinterestedness.
1.-TWO years ago gentleman from New
York sat in Bryan's private Office Their
trying to get him to make contract t
deliver fifty lectures at 500 lecture
Bryan was poor then, as he is poor now
and urged him to accept the offer. Blu
he would hardly listen to the man. H,
said he would not speak for money. HI
was not in politics for himself, but for tn
people, and he did not expect to max,
anything for himself. He said he woult
not take anything but his expenses
why, he remarked, lit is necessary tina
those who can should give their lives to tn
work of emancipating the people. Some
body has got to do this, and have mad'
up my mind to enter into it heart and soul
but not for my own benefit. He didn'
sign the contract.
eWhen he was in Congress he had an
offer of $4,000 year to become th'
counsel of large corporation, but he tolC
the officers he would not act as their attor.
ney for the entire profits Of the concern
He has been repeatedly urged to make hi
home in democratic States, with the as
surance that he would be elected to the
United States Senate and kept there the
rest of his life, but he said he preferred t.
remain in Lincoln, and he viii continue tt
keep his residence in this city