Birmingham state herald., 1896-07-19
DEMOCRACYS
 CANDIDATE. Sketch of William Jen-
 nings Bryan. THE MAN AND HIS RECORD. An Eloquent Champion of the Common People.
THE MAN AND HIS RECORD.
HIS WIFE, FAMILY AND HOME.

His Firth and Education-Eioquent In His Early Years-His Career In Congress-. His Famous Campaign For Congress. His Wife, His Home and His Family.
 William Jennings Bryan, the Demo- cratic nominee for president of the United States, is but 86 years of age, year older than the limit of eligibility provided for by the constitution. But he has the ppearauce--despite his smooth face-the ripe wisdom and the experience in politics and business of man much older.
 He was born on 8 farm just outside the little town of Salem, Ills, in the year 1860. His father, lawyer of high standing, represented the Salem district in the state senate for 8 years and was circuit judge for 12 years
 Judge Bryan had strong religious sentiments and @ peculiar habit of opening his court with devotional exer- cises, and at noon the court always ad- journed for prayer.
 Dr. Hill says that Bryan was a re- markable child in his tender years, and could read and write before he was years old.
 A Born Orator.
 His oratorical powers were developed at very early age. When but a mere boy, he was accustomed to stand up be- fore his playmatee at school and on the street and pour forth words of eloquence. This wonderful gift brought distinction to him in his childhood, and when he ; had reached his twelfth year his father took him to great Democratic demon stration in Centralia, Ills, and there the boy began his political career. After hearing addresses from the most distinguished men in the state, the lad mounted the platform. He had pro- ceeded but 0 short time when the audi ence had become spellbound under the sway of the boy orators burning elo- quence.
 Soon ripple of applause greeted the speaker; then the audience, catching up the enthusiasm of the young hero, be. came tumultuous and he could scarcely proceed because of the deafening cheers which greeted every sentence.
 It was great triumph for the boy orator and he was surrounded by those present and carried away on the shoul- ders of strong men. The whole country around Centralia was electrified, and young Bryan was made one of the chief attractions during the campaign.
 Young Bryan was instructed at home until 10 years old. Then followed five years in the public schools; two years in Whipple academy at Jacksonville, Ills, and two years at the Jacksonville (Ills. college. He graduated from the latter institution in 1881 as orator and valedictorian of his class. Soon after ward he entered the Union Law college at Chicago, from which he graduated ill 1883.
 He was connected with the law office of ex-United States Senator Lyman Trumbull for time, and later opened an office in Jacksonville, Ills, but re- moved to Nebraska's capital in 1887 and began to gain prominence.
 He was elected to congress in the First Nebraska district in 1890 over W. J. Cornell of Omaha, and was reelected in 1892 over Allen w. Field of Lincoln. In 1894 MT. Bryan declined third nomination, and was nominated by the Democratic state convention for United States senator by the unanimous vote of the convention. The Republicans. how ever, had Q majority in the legislature. and Bryan was defeated for the senator ship Since MT. Bryan's congress term expired he has given his time exclusively to spreading the doctrine of free silver.
 He first appeared in the political arena of Nebraska in the car@aaign of 1888, when he stumped the First district for j. Sterling Morton, nominee for con- gress The same year he declined nomination for lieutenant governor. On