Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1896-07-30

the ability Of the young man Just come
among them. Natures that had been
prone TO discount the youthful inter
loper from Nebraska recovered from
their error with no further delay.
No one sneered at Bryan after that
and there were few who dared to risk
the discomfort Of tackling the 1.-the
westerner who was 50 quick and nimbIe
on his mental feet.
All through that congress-the Fifty
second-B<yan was one Of the most
prominent figures in the house, although
he was its youngest member He de-
voted hmitless time to tariff reform,
and when he went hack to Nebraska it
was with the knowledge that be had
fought good fight
he entered the next congress TO fight
new battle. He had joined the forces
Of Mr. Bland free silver warfare and
became the first lieutenant Of the Mis-
souri, veteran In the previous congress
Mr.. Bland's right hand man had been
Mr.. Pierce Of Tennessee, but he failed
Of re-election. Pierce was not a great
orator, bnt was an effective speaker and
a skillful and adroit parliamentary gen
eral. What Bryan lacked in the latter
respect he fully made up by his bril-
liancy as a speaker, and in the silver
debates Of that congress he laid the
foundations for his political future.
He had sided with Mr. Bland in the
previous congress, but it was not until
now that be became an out and out sill
yer leader. Before that it had been
thought he favored free coinage because
Of supposed strong sentiment among
his constituents favorable to this legis-
lation- But now he showed that his
heart and soul were i'll the cause
His speech against the repeal of the
Sherman silver coinage act was one Of
the most remarkable ever heard in the
house For three hours he held the close
attention of TIE largest audience, both
on the floor and in the galleries, drawn
to the capitol during that session. The
Oldest members of the house followed
the speech with even more respectful
interest than had been accorded to Mr..
Bland's speech few days before, and
Mr.. Bryan's more attractive personality
and his captivating eloquence fixed the
attention Of hundreds present who We're
less interested in the issue discussed.
After Bryan had declined a renomi-
nation for third congressional term,
he became editor in chief of the World
Herald Of Omaha, in which he was to
advocate the free and unlimited coinage
of silver, and incidentally, it was said,
to promote his candidacy for the United
States senate. Another feature Of his
management was to be ahostility to the
administration and all that partook Of
Clevelandism.
Mr.. Bryan took hold Sept. 1, 1894,
and all went well until the Nebraska
Republican state central committee
made a contract by which it should con
troll two columns in the editorial page.
Mr.. Bryan found that the Republicans
were using their space to publish matter
detrimental to his senatorial project and
he made fight in the court, which was
decided in favor Of his enemies.
When Bryan's aspirations We're blasted
by the election Of John NJ Thurston to
the senate, the silver tongued young
orator retired to private life as an Eek
congressman.
He still continued, however, to advo-
cate in every way the free coinage Of
silver, and made frequent trips through
the west and south advocating it.
Mr.. Bryan's wife.
Mr.. Bryan's wife was Miss Mary E.
Baird, the only daughter of prosper,
GUS merchant in Perry, his Opinions
seem to differ somewhat as to whether
she is handsome or otherwise, but the
fact is, she is what would be called
really handsome and attractive. She is
withal a woman OF rare mental endOw-
ments, is rather studious and very re-
served But she has an immense amount
Of determination, and found no difficulty
in passing her examination for admis-
sion to the bar She does not care for
fashion or society and pays no attention
whatever to either.
At the time Bryan made his famous
tariff speech in the house he generously
declared his wife deserved a share Of
the praise he got for it. Mrs. Bryan was
in the gallery and heard every word Of
the speech She noted the volume OF
tone required to fill the hall, and BY
means Of signals communicated to her
husband until she had satisfied herself
that he had struck the most effective
tone.
i,n s.-t1r
when sufficiently reused, and at any
time will say droll, witty things with
only gleam of smile in her dark
eyes.
She is the mother Of three children
and is very domestic in her inclinations.
When it was discovered that she was a
lawyer, a congressman who meant to be
very agreeable inquired of her with
what line Of law she was most familiar.
Mrs. Bryan's quick answer was:
Domestic relations, sir. -
If the Bryans should come into the
White House, many people would recall
and contrast the night Of their first ap-
pearance there with Mrs. Bryan's pros
pect of standing at the head Of the re-
CCptAOn 1lut.
Itwas just after Bryan's speech when
everybody wanted to see him and his
lawyer wife. Mrs. Bryan appeared in
high necked, long sleeved black cash
mere dress, not even fashionably cut or
made. Bryan wore his usual Prince AL
bert coat and possibly a white lawn tie.
The pair stood about and looked lost
while people told each other who the
transformations, rather old fashioned
looking couple were, yet neither was at
all embarrassed. Both got more than
little amusement out Of watching the
crowds. They went out very seldom in
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