The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-07-16

was among the youngest. A Jew months
previous he had celebrated his thirty
first birthday.
Next to the smooth shaver, boyish
Bailey of Texas he was the youngest
mem Der 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-
itv 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. 1t
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, fowery 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 punctuaI in his attendance,
sat throughout the long sessions and
then went home The alIurements 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 to
nothing to So, 900 to save enough so
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 a charm of manner that
won him recognition and invited conf
dence. Judge Crisp was impressed with
the promise an 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
it gave him a 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. 1t was 4 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 he
had finished.