Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1896-11-06
BRYAN coxoRATuLArEs M.KINLEY
Admits Ills Defeat nnd Says the Agitn-
ton VIII lie Continucd.

LINCOLN, Nov 5.-"The fight has Just
commenced" Thus spoke William J. Bryan
tonight when asked II &c considered that
the result OF the election had been a serious
blow to blmetalism. He had Just sent a
message to Major Mckinley. coneeding his
election. and rendering his congratulations.
Mr.. Bryan surrendered at $3.50 o'clock He
had just received the signal and responded
within the next ten minutes with telegram
to his successful rival. This signal was
a brief message from senator Jones, chair
man OF the democratic national committee.
informing him that he did not consider II
wise to longer withhold the concession Of
McKinley's election. This message was re-
ceived by Mr.. Bryan few minutes after
he had returned with his wife from an
evening stroll and in he presence OF a
dozen callers, gathered in the parlor and
reading room OF their unpretentious resi-
dence. The receipt OF the telegram created
no scene whatever and one unacquainted
with the facts would never have suspected
from the surface indications the Importance
OF the occasion, or that the chief actor In
the drama had more than passing interest
in II. He handed the telegram to Mrs.
Bryan who was standing near him and,
without a word, except TO explain the pur-
port Of the message sat down at his desk
and penned the following telegram
LINCOLN, NCb., Nov. 5.-Hon. William
Mckinley, jr., Canton, o.: Senator Jones
has Just informed me that the returns in
dioate your election, and hasten to, extend
my congratulations. We have submitted
the issue to the people and their will is law.
WILLIAM J. BRYAN.
This message was first submitted to Mrs
Bryan and then. after being amended in
some slight particulars so as to conform to
suggestions made by her, was given to the
press. While writing the message and after
1t was completed Mr.. Bryan chatted pleas
antly with the newspaper correspondents
who surrounded him, indicating by his man
ner that he felt relieved 20 have the matter
definitely determined, evon though the re-
suit was against him He also showed very
plainly that Senator Jones message was no
surprise as indeed 1t was not, for those
who have been in his confidence knew he
had practically given II up since the night
after the election He has, however. felt
that IL would be both dl5courtecus and I'M
wise TO give out any lntlmation to this
effect until the national committee had
spoken.
Mr. Bryan had announced that he would
tomorrow issue an address, but he declined
to make any statement tonight or submit to
an interview, further than to say that the
fight for silver had just begun. II is known
to be his purpose to devote much Of his time
in the future to educating the people to the
acceptance OF his views ON the financial
question. and II is his Intention TO sound the
keynote in the paper which he will issue
tomorrow. He will dwel upon the effects
of a single gold standard and will urge the
advocates Of bimetallism to maintain their
organizations and use the utmost endeavors
in behalf OF this cause until II wins at the
polls Mr. Bryan also declined to outline
his future plans or to give his opinion as
To the causes which led to his defeat. II is
certain however, that he win be tempted
by none OF the flattering offers which are
coming to him to leave Lincoln. He will
remain about his home for the next few
weeks recuperating, for while in no way
exhausted by the duties Of the.campaisn. he
confesses to a feeling OF languor as a result
Of the arduous labor of the past four months.
II is also believed that Mr.. Bryan considers
that the result Of the election has in 1t
much to encourage the advocates OF indie
pendent action by this country on the ques-
ton OF free coinage of silver.
Mrs. Bryan received the news with quite
as much conposGre as did her husband.
She has never felt the same confidence Of
success that he felt and has, from the
first, while not without hope. been prepared
for the news which Senator Jones brief
message tonight brought.