Birmingham state herald., 1896-07-19

was among the youngest. A few months previous he had celebrated his thirty first birthday.
 Next to the smooth shaven boyish Bailey of Texas he was the youngest member 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 "visi- ble quorum. '
 Bryan attracted little or no attention. To the men even from the west his abil- ity 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 young man. He could not deny it. It 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 capital, he appeared in long black Prince Albert, black oravat and black trousers, which showed no signs of tailor's attention.
 He was punctual in his attendance, sat throughout the long sessions and then went home. The allNements 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 prudent man suddenly raised from a yearly income of next to nothing to $5, 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 charm of manner that won him recognition and invited conf- dence. Judge Crisp was impressed with the promise in theyoung, 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 MT. Bryan made his first speech. It was 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 econ paid the young orator the same compliment. the galleries began to fill up and the crowd remained until he had finished.