The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1896-07-13
AT ST. LOUIS
AND AT CHICAGO.


nominated Mckinley but which was prin-
cipally notable for the bolt from its ranks
of the silver republicans of the west ana
the internal fights over the adoption OF a
platform which cast a damper upon the
enthusiasm of the delegates, there was one
on-looker who attracted almost as much
attention as any Of the great leaders OF
the republican party All OF the public
men there knew him and sought his COM
pany. and the correspondents. among whom
he sat in the convention hall, delighted IN
pointing him out to the uninitiated. he
was William j. Bryan, of Nebraska, the
man who was chosen yesterday by another
national conventiOn-not convention
ruled and controlled By the representa-
tives of the trusts and the monopolies. as
was the one at st. Louis. but a conyen-
ton representing the common people OF the
country-to be the representative Of those
people and their interests IN the great ma
uonal struggle between the masses and the
classes.
Sir Bryan was pointed cut as the bril-
liant orator of the west-a man who had
won national fame and who. although not
now In congress-, was regarded as certain
to figure prominently IN the politics Of the
future. He sat with the representatives
or the press and was an actual one OF
them, because he sent each night tele-
graphic story commenting upon the events
there TO The Omaha WorId-Herald. which
newspaper he controls.
OF course Mr.. Bryans chef interest as
a newspaper man and as & democrat was
in the result of the clash between tho
contending forces over the money question,
8. - when mis- eliminated IN the Withdraw
al from the national convention of Senator
Teller and his foIlowers-that memorable
scene which viii go down in history as
marking the bravest and sincerest act OF
recent political history-Bryan turned to
those of US who sat near him and said:
Perhaps now the people OF the east
Will see that the west is il earnest on
this question"
1t is related in the convention reports
from Chicago that the members OF the
real Nebraska delegation, on taking the
seats in the convention hall which the
sold standard men endeavOred 10 fill with
some OF J. Sterling MOrtOn's cuckoos.
waved big red bandanna handkerchiefs.
This recalls a similar incident at St.
Louis when Mr.. Bryan was one OF a little
coterie of silver men who. to give evil
dence Of the triumph of genuine democra-
cy as foreshadowed in the withdrawal of
silver republicans. stood on their feet
and waved similar evidences of true de-
mocracy and tributes to the memory of
Ohio's grand old Roman Mr.. Bryan
himself had purchased four Of the bandan-
mas as he entered the han and had dis
tributed them among these enthusiastic
silverites.
During the busy hours OF convention
work I spent some time with Mr.. Bryan
discussing the developments OF the con
vention and particularly the democratic
outlook. What impressed me most in the
man was his intense earnestness and his
strong belief that with the proper nomin-
alton at Chicago the silver men would
undoubtedly win. There was in all HIS
talk not the slightest hint of any personal
ambition Apparently he had no idea on
earth Of his being considered a presidential
possibility, but instead, in discussing the
Others. he indicated very strongly his
ideas as TO the availability OF each of tho
men who were then most talked about
He was in favor Of a man from the middle
west as the presidential nominee and a
southern man for vice president. Boics
and Daniel seemed TO be the ticket which
at that time struck his fancy. He was very
strong on the idea OF a practical combina-
ton between the west and the south
It IS interesting in this connection 10
recall fs~ fact that 10 WAS the man 7Eh>
first threw out the suggestion Of the feast
bility Of the democratic party either max
ing open declaration or letting It be gen
orally understood that was the inten-
ton 10 tender the treasury portfolio to
Senator Teller. While there has been a
great deal Of talk of Teller as a possible
nominee at Chicago, there has been great
deal more on the line that Teller would he
the ideal man for secretary of the treas
urv II was the Endorsement Of the idea
which first came from the man who has
himself been chosen as the presidential
nominee.
on the streets yesterday when some Of
the prophets were predicting that the
BRYAN movement would result IN the nom
nation OF Teller. this idea OF making Teller
secretary OF the treasury found many an
Endorsement IF you need any explana-
ton of your platform the announcement
that Teller would be the secretary Of the
treasury would give it, was the general
comment. He IS undoubtedly one Of the
foremost Americans, 4 man who IS as
vel grounded IN the principles OF govern
rnent. and is as well equipped in the prac-
teal knowledge of the affairs Of this gov
eminent AZ any man IN America The
idea finds cTy general Endorsement with
the democratic masses; and while Il IS
nrorablv not at al likely that there Will
be a-v omen declaration OF such intention
stfIl IT Is interesting 70 note how the sug-
aestion took root and meets with demo-
cratic approval