The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-07-11
News OfHfs NominatiOnBrOught
to His Hotel.
He Went and Got Shaved the
First Thing.
MADE A SHORT TALK.
Makes a Statement Declaring
For Only One Term.
Addresses a Great Crowd From
Clifton House Balcony.

&nAGdEOs July 4A--41A~ Ia y GAL
ceived the announcement of his nomi-
nation with all the composure and
calmness of a, man who had been used
TO such things during a longer life than
his His handsome black eyes were
perhaps slightly more brilliant when
the Associated Press bulletin carrying
the nomination message was handed to
him, but otherwise he manifested no
change of countenance or manner.
He was at the time sitting chatting
with two newspaper friends in his par
Tor at the Clifton house. If" said he.
this is true 1 want to say that which
I have for some time had in contempla-
ton in this emergency
He then turned to the par1or table
and, with a lead pencil wrote on scrap
of soft paper supplied by one of his
newspaper visitors. the following:
ITO the American People,: In order
that may have no ambition but to
discharge faithfully the duties of the
office, I desire to announce that if elect
ed president I shall under no circum-
stances be a candidate for reelection.
W. ]. BRYAN.
Before he could complete this work,
a number of persons desiring to con-
graduate him had arrived, but he ex-
cused himself to them until he could
finish the message. He then shook
hands cordially with all present and
Immediately hurried away to the bar
Der shop to be shaved
The news in the meantime had be-
come generally known and the rather
construct lobby of the Clifton was COM
pletely filed by the time the barber had
allowed his distinguished customer to
leave the chair. There were loud
cheers and calls for a speech, when he
appeared in the corridor of the hotel.
Taking his stand on the stairway,
sure you I am extremely grateful for
the great compliment which I am as
sured has been paid me by the Demo-
cratic national convention. It of course
remains to be seen whether the nomi-
nation is a wise or unWise one. For my
part 1 do not know. This will, of
course, be determined by the contest
which will be decided at the polls next
November, when it will be known not
only whether shall be elected or de-
feated, but immeasurably more i'm
portant than that, whether the cause
Of silver shall lose or win. I will only
add that / hope those who accept the
views of the Democratic platform
which was yesterday adopted lose no
opportunity to influence the result in
the interest of the doctrine there incul-
cutated. thank you for this manifes-
tation Of your endorsement"
The brief speech was received with a
loud and generous burst of applause,
and a demand for an opportunity to
shake hands with the new candidate.
An impromptu reception followed for
about 20 minutes, at the foot of the
stairway. The reception concluded Mr..
Bryan returned to his private room,
where he said to an Associated Press
reporter: There is nothing I care to
say more than have said in the brief
statement I have given out in regard
n second I add in axn19-
nation of this statement that it was
not the result of a sudden impulse, for
I have had in mind the propriety of
making such an announcement ever
since have regarded this nomination
as a probability. I believe it TO be a
good principle. The presidency is the
highest honor that can be bestowed by
this country upon a human being, and
the power of the office is so great that
there ought to be no temptation to the
man occupying the Office to use it for
his own advancement.
MY declaration is not unprecedented.
Mr.. Cleveland in his first letter of ac-
ceptance set forth the objections to a
second term in language so forcible
that it cannot be surpassed. President
Hayes advocated an amendment to the
constitution making holders of the
office ineligible for a reelection and a
similar amendment was suggested by
Il desire also to express my deep APP
probation of the kindness shown me
by other candidates, and their friends,
and also to say that I consider my
nomination is due to the peculiar cir
cumstances which surround this cam
paign and not to any superior merit
of my own. In fact had the conven-
ton considered who was most deserv-
ing, the honor would have fallen to an
other.
II can only add that so highly ap-
preciate the responsibility imposed by
the nomination that have avoided
making any pledges to any person
Mr.. Bryan said in reply to questions,
that he had not only made no plans for
the campaign, but that he had not even
determined when he would return to
his home in Nebraska. When asked if
he would make any speeches during the
campaign, he replied he had had no
opportunity to consider what he would
do and could not say.
While he was debating the above
statement messages We're arriving
every few minutes bearing words of
congra tulation and assurance of sup
port. His immediate attention was
called to but few of them, but he ap-
peared very much interested in all that
were read to him, expressing especial
qualification at a brief message from
his pastor.
since the arrival in the city, which
was some ten days ago Mr.. Bryan has,
with his wife, occupied quiet apart
ments at the Clifton House. He re-
ceived the news of his nomination
while sitting in his bedroom. a cham
Der about 16 feet square, and entirely
barren Of any decoration, the furni-
turs consisting of bed, wardrobe,
dresser and a half dozen upholstered
chairs. Mr.. Bryan himself was dress
ed in negligee apparel wearing a light
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