The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1896-07-11
HOW 1T STRUCK THEM.


Some Local Democrats Had Heard of
Bryan but Many Had Not--A Shrink ng
Modesty in Regard to the Platform-The
Unterrified Are "Twisted."
The news of the nomination of young
Mr.. Bryan by the national convention
was q good deal of red hot surprise
to the leading members OF the party of
Bland Boies- Black burn-Bryan or Bust
in this city.
A good many of the local leaders of
the Democracy the PRESS representa-
tives were unable to find, they evident
ly having gone into the country for
meditation and reflection to find out
just where they are at. A good many
who were found did not, or could not
express an opinion. One of the best
known said:
well, with Hill and the real Demo-
Gratis disgruntled, Cleveland turned down,
Geo rye Fred Williams Topped, Charles
A. Dana boltsd. the state platform for
gold with a gold man in the Fourth
district for silver, Silver Sewall sat on
DIR. Seth Gold Cord IN to run a silver
campaign, Charles f.. j Johnson in tears,
Alonzo Garcelon in Smiles Populist
platform and man I never heard of
nominated for President, if this was not
a prohi bition state I should think had
'em. Pm be d-dif | know whether
I'm Democrat or whether there is any
Democratic party or not, I guess" said
the gentleman with wild, weired look
in his eyes. '.You better put me down
as twisted. ssI'm sure of that"
Some of the others spoke thusly:
Gen. John j. Lynch said: II think the
nomination is good one. Bryan is
bright and brilliant. have no doubt of
his election. He will make an honest
and absolutely fearless President. /
think he nominated himself by his
magnificent speech to the convention :"
What do you think of the platform,
Gen., Lynch?
II am Democrat" said Gen. Lynch,
significantly.
Spencer Rogers one of the war horses
OF the unterrifed. is jubilant. He is a
red hot silver man. His comments were
picturesque. He said:
81 know nothing about Bryan, not a
hing. Pm for silver, red hot. I hope
Bryan will win.'
Ex-Mayor George Walker was asked
how he liked the platform. \
why, of courss don't like it," he
ror Tod hot tool r h,,f oh AMI
Bryan? Well, can't recall that ever
heard of him before. / bate silver, but
| hate protection more, y and the ex-
mayor with decided accent on the hate,
and there was an expression about the
Hon. Mr.. Walkers face that wo uld
tend to convey the impression that his
Democratic soul was not exactly leap
ing with joy.
DR.. L. d. Sullivan was one Of the fort
innate Portland men who had not only
heard of Mr.. Dryan, but had actually
seen him once upon time. He said !:
II heard him speak in New York. He
| is a great orator. I think it is an excel
| lent nomination. / think he stands a
| good chance of election. l think he can
Carry New York if Hill will help him.
l had rather not say anything about the
platform.
hon. NJ. p. Frank said the nomina-
| ton came to him as a surprise. He had
naturally expected that MIR. Bland or Mr..
| Boies, or some other man of greater
| national promises would have been the
nominee. Still the convention was
doubtless actuated by knowledge that
he (Mr. Frank did not possess, and that
their choice was made after mature de-
| liberation.
| Postmaster SWEET said he could hardly
give an opinion. Mr.. Bryan's chief claim
| to the notice of the convention, probab ly
came from his championship of sill yer
in Congress-. and his speech of Thursday
| night that brought him prominently be-
| fore the people,
| Mr.. MCCARTHY said the nomination was
| a surprise. He could not say anything
about it as he was not sufficiently in
| formed in regard to the nomination.
Hon. William Henry Clifford was inter :.
viewed BIZ telephone last evening by
the PRESS. When asked his opinion
of the nomination of Mr.. Bryan by the
Chicago convention, Mr.. Clifford replied
II have nothing to say on the matter.
A better candidate might have been
| selected, however.
| When asked his opinion of the plat
form adopted at Chicago, particularly of
the money plank.
Mr.. Clifford rep lied: 81 am not free
silver man..
| "Will you support the PLATFORM adopted
and the candidate nominated Mr.. Cliff
| ford?" was asked.
| He replied 81 have nothing to say"