The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1896-07-13
A BRILLIANT CAREER.
Bis Tongue Was Eloquent When
Member of the House.

Washinrton July t0.-There is nothing
In romantic literature that surpasses the
neteoric career Of William Jennings Bryan
who was today nominated ut Chicago ior
the highest office within the gift of the
American people. The constitutional age
OF presidents is thirty-flve years. Bryan -
thirty-six. and If elected in November next,
win be the youngest president the white
house has ever known. He IS essentlahy
q self-made man, and q man OF the peo-
pie His principal education was gained
I'm the public schools Of Salem, Ill, where
his rarents resided. During the succeed
ing six wears ne received an academic tram
ing The bent of his mind was toward the
law and it was IN the Office of LYMAN
Tmmbun himself a conspicuous inquire
during the war. and the reconstruction Pc
Rod which followed, that he laid the found
atoms of his legal career.
1t was In congress. however, that MT
Bryan made the reputation when mas
swept him into his present prominence. IN
1880, when only thirty years of age, nc was
elected q member Of the house from the
first district of Nebraska. whore he located
Immediately after his admission 10 the bar
During the consideration of the single
tariff bills, which were brought before the
house during the first session Of that con-
grcss. Mr.. Bryan electrified his colleagues
10y the force and vigor of his utterahces'
his intimate knowledge of economic mat
IgIS.
ability to sustain himself with credit
against the ablest debaters upon the repub-
lean side of the chamber. His time, on
that occasion was repeatedly extended, ana
ne spoke in all. several hours lie awoke
the next morning 70 IND himself famous
Nor was 1t cpkemeral fame lie became
from that day conspicuous hSure III d
house which included such giants OF de-
bate as breckenridge, of Kentucky; Bourke
Cochran and John II. Fellows, of New
York Dingley and Reed. of Maine; Spring
en- Of Illinois, Lodge, of Massachusetts,
Oates, of Alabama. and William l.. WI
son. Of West Virginia, who now holds the
office Of postmaster general.
While Mr.. Bryan was not free trader
he favored the lowest tariff consistent
with the necessities of the government
and was placed by Speaker Crisp upon the
ways and means committee, an unusual
honor for a new man. When the ntty-third
congress met Mr.. Bryan had also achieved
reputation as a stanch supporter of free
silver and when President Cleveland con-
vened that congress in extraordinary ses-
sion in the autumn of 1898, Br. Bryan was
Mr.. BANDS efficient lieutenant in leading
the opposition to the repeal TO the pur-
chasing clause OF the Sherman act. lie
continued in that congress as member
of the ways and means committee. He was
one of the subcommittee which had in
charge the internal revenue schedule Of
what was subsequently known as the VII
son tariff bills. and he shares with Mr..
Mcmillan, of Tennessee, in being the first
to suggest the incorporation in that meas
ure Of an income tax. Mr.. Bryan added TO
his laurels brilliant and ready cebater
during the discussion of that measure In
the house, and his influence was also eX-
erted in favor of the income tax, which
he regarded one of it's most essential
features. With this congress Mr.. Bryans
congressional career ended, and he returned
to Omaha to accept the editorship of The
World-Herald of that city, although his
home for many years has been at Lincoln,
the state capital. Mr.. Bryan is about the
medium in height. His face is Clearly
shaver, and in appearance he resembles
the great Pennsylvania commoner, Samuel
j. Randall. who, at Mr.. Bryans age, might
readily have passed for the latter's twin
brother. He is strict churchman, and on
several occasions during his residence in
this city addressed the Young Mems
Christian Association and other religious