The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1896-12-12
HOW BRYAN WON. .
His Friend Tells the Story of the
Plans Laid.

The Chicago Tribune is responsible
for the following:
Bryan's nomination was no accident,
so far as he and his friends were con-
cerned. When he stood up to make his
eventful speech he was throwing loaded
dice, which had been prepared nearly
two years before. The Boy Orator had
assisted his friends in pulling the wires
for many months, and every move in the
game had been studied out. ,.#,
This information was CLEANED in Ne
braska during the week preceding elec-
ton, and the authority for the story is
no less person than James G. Dahlman,
chairman of the Democratic state CEN
trail committee of Nebraska, Mr., Bryan's
confidential political friend and adviser.
He gave permission to print the story
after election and, meanwhile every
statement he made was verified from
other sources,=the whole proving con
>clusively that William Jennings Bryan
knew he was playing for high stakes
when he made his celebrated cross of
gold speech at the Chicago convention.
He was not only fully aware Of the
plans of his Nebraska friends, but was
consulted at every stage, and on him
self alone depended the final maneuver
which secured for him the opportunity
to speak at the right time to capture the
convention. The story as told by Chair
man Dahlman, supplemented by the
statement of others, bears the impress
of truth on its face. and can easily be
verified by any one who cares to do SO.
Chairman Dahlman says positively
that Bryan not only knew, but from the
minute he entered on his work with the
committee began to scheme to get the
closing speech. Jones and the other
managers fell into the trap. They knew
that Bryan was a clever speaker and
were perfectly willing to wind up their
case with some fireworks. The division
of time was made. Bryan got the last
speech and the plotters went to work
convinced that their scheme was certain
of success. They knew that Hill and
others would talk long and earnestly
and tire out the galleries and the dele
gates.
The. convention was for silver by an
overwhelming majority, and all that
was necessary was to light the spark
and have the fuse ready. Dahlmans had
come to Chicago two or three days: be-
fore the convention. to set UP the pins.
AS soon as the delegation was seated he
and others quietly began to talk55Hup
Rrvan. Dahlman himself went to Dan
iels of North Carolina, Hoke Smiths
secretary. and urged him to keep out
Of the Bland, Boies and Mclean camp.
Louisiana and one OF. two other states
were visited and got tip to be ready
Then the schemers began to make
oyertures to Illinois. They did their
best to capture Altgeld, but could not
accomplish anything. They had enough
scattering delegates, however, to make
sure that neither Bland, Boies, Mat,
thews nor Mclean could secure the: tlll !:
nomination. All went we'll and just Il as
lit had been arranged. The young ora 81 !,
tor from. Nebraska. had been preparing;
for the event for months. He had his; b
speech we'll in hand, and he knew Il ~ that that
he was not expected to make IS 9 i Logical e, ssaal
argument for silver, but q brilliant ex
p1osion Of oratorical fireworks forssttle ,5l e
express purpose Of aptplrtilng the crowd r,
and when William Jennings Bryan Al sat q J;
down he knew that the die & had gas been lsAEl
east, and that the nonninat tion wasNiln
his grasp and with the posi- s'I blllity of !.
the presidency itself s.5i n 81