The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1896-07-19

| presidency. How did he achieve this
distinction? Not by his profession, for
William j. Bryan has never tried half a
dozen big lawsuits in his life. He made
his mark in politics. and he made il by
being willing TO trade and sacrifice his
party at every turn where ne could bene-
| fit himself These facts ar well known
| in Nebraska, and before the campaign
| is over they viii be known the country
| over.
II was in 1890 that Mr.. Bryan made
his entrance into the political field. He
was then a young lawyer in Lincoln. and
he found most If not all of his practice
| in the minor courts. 1t was there he
| cultivated the fiomboyant oratory
| which has helped him so much. He has
never been recorded as a man OF solid
attachments, but he early learnd the
trick of appealing TO the prejudices and
passions of men. He was made the
Democratic candidate for congress from
the old Omaha district. The Mckinley
law had just been passed, and the tariff
was the issue of the day. The young
lawyer did not know much about the
tariff, but he was soon supplied with the
necessary number of catch words
Give William ]. Bryan any sort of
ofap-trap argument on which he can
arouse the personal prejudices OF the
people, and he will do the rest. His
speeches were catchy, II not profound.
Nebraska was an agricultural state, and
the wickedness OF eastern protected in
dustries was agood war cry.
The Democratic Landslide of 1890 car
rfed him into congress as a tariff re-
former The ''crime of '73'' had been
committed seventeen years before
young Bryan had became a congress-
man, and there was precious little sill
yer in his campaign speeches. Free
trade was everything then, free silver
side issue.
In 1880. his district having been cut
Off form Omaha, Bryan was reelected.
The Wilson law had not yet been passed
and the promise Of the blessings of tar
if reform was still potent. During his
inst term in congress Bryan had been
honored by being put on the ways and
means committee, an unusual distinc-
ton for a new member, but given to
him because he was such an ardent tar
if reformer. On the tariff he made his
first successful speech.
AT the extra session OF the Fifty-third
congress he spoke on the proposed re-
peal OF the Sherman law. but his speech
was disappointment. His friends ex-
planned this by saying he was a tariff
reformer and was not up" on silver,
although he was in favor Of free coin
age.
In the spring OF 1894 Bryan decided to
look up higher in the political firma-
ment. There was TO be a senatorial
vacancy in Nebraska and he wanted Il.
He made a trade then with the Poou-
lists to make Holconlb Governor and
Bryan senator. Congress was still in
session engaged in the struggle between
the house and senate over the Wilson
German bill. Bryan as a member of
the committee on ways and means. had
nominaLy aided in constructing the
original Wilson tariff bill, a measure 50
faulty that no one has been found now
TO DEFEND dt; measure which, If Ii had
ever become law, would have left the
country in bankruptcy. Like the ma
)ority or his party associates in the
house, Bryan voted finally for the Cor
man edition OF the Wilson bill.
Two days after 1t became a law he
became the editor OF the Omaha World
Herald. That paper was doing the best
II knew for Bryan for senator and Hol-
comb for governor, but an examination
or the first shows that as usual the head
or the firm was getting the principal
F'ert Of the profits a week or SO before
The election the World-HeraId openly
sold two columns OF the editorial page
TO the Republican state central commit
tee. and the space was devoted 10 abuse
Of Holcomb, who in this camnaign was
the junior member OF the firm. This.
however, is another story.
At the same time this camDaipn xss
going on and as an important part Of |
II Ex-Governor Boyd was running for
congress from the Omaha district on the /
Democratic ticket He was gold Dem |
ocrat His principal opponent was Con-
gresham Dave Mercer. gold Rspubll- |
can ana good fellow. u. Glenn D-zye- |
was the Populist candidate He was a /
Tree silver man, but az that time Bryan. |
On the stump and IN his editorials. de-
clared that the tariff was the issue. and
hence he worked for Boyd 10 degaat
Mercer Beaver was opposed vehement
y, and his free silver views didn't
amount 70 much n the year OF grace
SEA.
The election came. and with IL cor
responding change IN the Views OF Mr.
Bryan as 10 what was the predOmI nant
ssue. The people sat down on the VII Il
Law for which Bryan had
leen largely responsible. An uaheard az
republican majority was sent 70 :he
NATIONAL house OF reoreser, tives and
rec trade was doomed BOYD ws,s Il a
ut with the others. but Deave- aid bet
er than Bryan had evidently erpe-cted.
do8ccnnb was elected by a narrow ma
o-ity, owing TO Republican split and !
\ spite OF the paid attacks IN ths !
World Herald.
Bryan's candidacy ror the seaate was
.,terIy Regulated He hardly RAD
Isousn IN the senate 20 hold a caucus. A,
ie made the campaign or the free :
rade issue. and was ove-5g slrnsrs-Iy / :
efeafed- Since then William J. Bran I. =
nd hfs WoCid-Hera1d have sung verv- I
OK about the tar5fs. :
\ fsE days after the election n a Z
ig1ed editorial Mr. BRIAN Announced e
lat the whole trouble vas II the esz.. Z
az the next candidate Tor the pres :
/sey mus colae from the wczT. ami :
a4t western interests. chi@s among
Fflsch vas free silver. zaas. oe TIE con :
roihng issue. TIE fczs0a us.h free :
-eo@ had failed sz5 the rev fra ~~as .
have free silver for rs moth Des- 4
- szs more II y rasn after the cleo !
on t1an he vas before.
Al Ire spring % is. after IT.. Bryan :
7c retired from cozsrsss. there vas ?
un on the editorial ysxe os tie W-orts- 6
IeCssd a series % clippings piiza.ng
TO The Bee. the regular R<publiczl pa {
er. oe-ca1se y had cne f-zse years b. I;
Dre Supported certain czzsistat=s fer :