Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1896-07-19
Special to the Register.

Special to the Register.
Fairmont, w. Va, July 1S.-Ex-Gov.
A. B. Fleming returned yesterday from
a visit to his mother and sister at Lin
coin, Neb.-William ]. Bryans home.
The Governor was asked about the
nominees starding at home, to which
he replied that he was very highly re-
spected He said he did not hear an
unkind word concerning him while there
and that he had talked with prominent
members of all parties. One leading Re-
publican and former State official told
him that the inhabitants of that city
would resent any reflection on Bryan's
personal character, which was above
reprcach. This gentleman drove me
around the city" the Governor con-
tinued, and we passed Mr.. Bryan's res
idence, which somc cnterprisiIg per-
son was treating to fresh coat Of paint.
His residence is a very comfortable one,
but is not at all pretentlous 1t is a
good and comfortable frame house,
located in a desirable neighborhod. |
learned while there that Mr.. Bryan is
net a man Of wealth, but that he has
always been a man OF standing and in
fluence. He is an active member Of the
Presbyterian church, asks a blessing at
mis- table, and has Bible c,asls of boys
which he teaches every Sunday"
He says that Lincoln has observed
with jealous eyes the Salem enthusiasm
and that they will, in the words of the
mayor make Salem tired when the
nominee arrives there. Senator Allen,
who talked so long in the United States
Senate for free silver, has the cere-
monies in charge. and those who know
Mr.. Allen take this as a guarantee that
the thing Wi, be done right
All the people, he says, seem proud OF
Mr.. Bryan, and the fact that their State
and city has been hCnOred in his nom
irltion. And although there are two
factions of the Democratic party, he
thinks he will receive the support OF
both.
We'll Governor, you know the Re-
publican press claims he is a P0pulist;
how about this?"
Il don't think that in Nebraska he
is regarded as Populist. Z. member
Of the Populist party. My understand
ing is that some years ago, the regular
Democratic organization under the
lead Of Mr. Bryan, not believing it
could nominate ticket that could be
elected endorsed the FopUIistic candi-
dates IN Nebraska and recommended
that the Democrats support them.
This action of the Democratic organiza-
tiOn gave dissatisfaction TO a portion
of the members of the party who called
another convention and nominated a
ticket. Mr.. Bryan followed the en-
dorsement Of the first convention and
supported the Populistic ticket, in ac-
cordance with the recommendation of
his party. While other Democrats
voted for the Independent Democratic
ticet As | understand it, that portion
OF the Democratic party whicn support
ed the Populistic ticket sent a deega-
ton to Chicago as did that portion of
the party which refused to support the
Populistic nominees" hence the two
sets of delegates at Chicago from Ne
braska.
"Well Governor what do you think
of Bryan's power as an orator?"
"Ie is an accomplished orator. He
has a splendid voice and his manner
on the platform is faultless. He has
strong way OF putting things and GER
tainly a great faculty for carrying
things by storm
.Hava Won read his SDeeCleS since
the enc at Chicago"
= think | have read the most OF
them. and l find them always exactly
fitting the occasion. His Salem speech
was non-partisan and very appropriate.
His speech at Kansas City was some
what partisan and showed ability"
Governor Fleming is not very ar
dent believer in the extreme new wO-
man. and when asked about Mrs. Bryan
he said he was glad she was not a
practicing lawyer. She studied law"
he went on. after she was married, but
with no intention whatever of practic
ing. She studied it simply for the
training and accomplishment, or for the
pleasure, perhaps having in view the
aid of her husband in some ways. l
learn that Mrs. Bryan is an intelligent,
intellectual woman of whom the people
of this country would not be ashamed
should she become mistress of the
| white-house.'
Gov. Fleming has never met Mr.. Bry-
an. although he delivered some speech
es in this State during the campa gn CT
1892.