Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-09-14
Candidate Bryan Declines to Make
His Speech From Them.
PERMISSION WAS PROMPTLY GRANTED
The Nominee, However, Thought
It Would Be in Bad Taste.
LOOKING FOR A LOCATION

AS announced exclusively in The Evening
Star of Saturday, the joint democratic COM
Hlittee en- the ratification of the nomina-
tions Of Bryan and Sewall determined at
its meeting Friday night to hold the meet
ing, If permission could be obtained, next
Saturday afternoon on the east front of the
United States Capitol building, and have
Mr.. Bryan, VINO will be present, speak
from the steps of that edifice. The Star
also announced that Senator Faulkner on
behalf Of the committee, had telegraphed
to Vice President Stevenson and Speaker
Reed for the desired privilege, and that
the Vice President had promptly wired
back his acquiescence. At 8 o'clock Sat
urday night Senator Faulkner received a
reply from Speaker Reed. stating that he
was agreeable to the proposition If Mr..
Stevenson was. This 1t was thought, set
tied the matter, as well as the most vexa-
tious local problem which ever confronted
the lCeal democracy. AS well known, the
Joint committee first decided to hold the
meeting and listen to Mr.. Bryan in Con-
venticn Hail. but 1t soon became evident
from the demand made for tickets of ad-
mission that even such an immense audi
toril m as that above the Northern Liberty
market would not be adequate to accom-
modate the crowds. Therefore, it was de-
termined to secure the National Base Ball
Park, and 1t was believed this arrange
fcuhd that Mr.. Bryan's arrival would he
at such an early hour that it would make
MS appearance necessary at a time when
the New iork-Washington base ball game
would De In progress. In this dilemma the
&C mmittee scarcely knew which way to
turn, and 1t was not until the meating Fri
uay night, and nearly at adjournment af-
yer hvely discussion, In which much petu-
lance, II nothing stronger, was displayed
that Chairman Kalbfus suggested the idea
OF sec' ring the east front Of the Capitol
The Desired Permission Granted.
Ihere was undeniably strong hope in
democratic breasts that Speaker Reed
would refuse to give his permission for the
meeting to be held there, as 1t was be-
heved that political capital could be made
out OF denial Of Senator Faulkner's re-
quest. but he has acted just like every
Iody knew man Of his shrewd wisdom
YOU'D and SO there was general gratifica-
ucn that an opportunity would be given
10 everybody who desired to do so to see
ana an listen to the Boy Orator of the Platte.
1neFe was an opinion almost equally gen.
eral and not confined to men of either mar
ty that the precedent established in this
case, which would have made the Canitul
grounds attainable henceforth for the pur-
poses or political gatherings, was a de-
cldedly bad one, and one that might lead
10 serious trouble in the future
However that may be, the mischief II
any existed, had been done and the local
caslon a notable one in the annals of the
city. when the announcement came from
St Louis that Mr.. Bryan, after mature de-
liberation, decided that it would be neither
wise nor in good taste for him to speak
from the United States Capitol, and that
he did not think established rule should
be broken in his favor. even by the Vice
President and the Speaker. Mr. Brayn de-
clared his anxiety to speak in Washington
and said he would speak at any other
place In ashngton that might be selected
outside Of the Capitol grounds. He will be
here during the afternoon of next Satur-
day. in accordance with his intention long
ago expressed and meantime the local
committee will determine upon some place
where the meeting can be held.
The Subject of the Speech.
AS September 10, which falls on next
Saturday. Is the centennial anniversary OF
| the delivery of Washington's farewell ad-
dress, 1t Is understood that Mr. BRYAN
will make this historic document the theme
Of bis speech. and that he will lay par
ticular stress upon that portion of it which
is considered as containing a warning to
his countrymen about the dangers of the
iEvas,on Of foreign capital. President
CEauncey F. Black, at the suggestion of
Mr.. Bryan. has issued an address to the
National Association of Democratic Clubs
requesting every club to hold meeting
| on the anniversary and listen to the read
Ing of the address. This course was de-
cided on by Mr.. Bryan at the recent con-
| ference he had at Erie, Pa, with Mr.. Law
| rerce Gardner, who is secretary of the ma
tioEal association and Mr.. Gardner had the
address printed in a small and attractvely
gotten up pamphlet, of which copies have
| been sent to the secretaries of the clubs
for use at the proposed meetings.
Ball Park OF Convention Hall.
The members of the committee were
! overwhelmed with suggestions today about
good places to hold the meeting, and they
Included pretty nearly every vacant square
In the city, and various spots outside of it,
such as the grounds of the National
Grange over in Alexandria county, and the
International Athletic Park above George
town. The meeting place will be definitely
decided, however. at the meeting to be held
tonight at Meyers Hotel, and Mr. BRYAN
will speak at either the Capital Base Ball
Park or at Convention Hall, which was
originally chosen by the committee, The
arrangements for the occasion are being
rapidly completed, and will be carried out
no matter where the event will occur Ac
ceptances are being received to letters ad-
dressed to large number of democrats and
! silver men resident here. to act as vice
presidents OF the meeting, including the
leading officials of all the local democrats
OF Organizations and state associations, and a
press committee has been selected which
viii be announced tonight.
Col. Berret to Preside.
Ex-Mayor James g. Berret will preside
d. tHe meeting. A letter was addressed tn
| him Saturday night by Mr.. William Dick
| son, for the committee on organization
| stating that by the unanimous action of
| that body, acting under instructions of the
democratic central committee and the
united democracy Of the District of Colun,-
| bla, Col. Berret had been invited to preside
| at the reception to Bryan and Sewall and
| the ratification meeting. In closing his let
| ter Mr.. Dickson said:
Il feel assured that the true and stead
| fast democracy throughout our land will
applaud our action in selecting as our pre-
siding officer a gentleman of the highest
| rank in our community, honored and re-
spected by all classes of our citizens and
| an answering democrat of the Andrew
Jackson type, who despising truckers and
| traitors. for over half a century has
proven his loyalty to democratic principles
| and exerted an influence in the election of
the party's nominees
Col. Berret replied to Mr.. Dicksons let
ter this morning.
| Il accept with much pleasure" he wrote
| the invitation of the democratic central
| committee of the District of Columbia and
| other organizations to preside at the Bryan
| and Sewau reception and ratification meet
| Ing Saturday evening. September 49, 1896
You will kindly convey to your associates
| my appreciation of the honor conferred
| upon me by their action and with best