The courier. (Lincoln, Neb.) 1894-1903, 1896-07-18

arrival in Lincoln was nominated by
the democrats for congress"
I. s.An the time he was in the law col
lege Will gave a great deal Of consid-
Grafton and study to questions Of
government. He read up thoroughly
on constitutional law, and was early
impressed with the idea that the peo-
pie were being unduly burdened by
monopolies He maintained even then
that the menace of the country was
the sencroachment Of wealth on the
rights Of the common people. and he
thought there was serious trouble
ahead for the country. He was a
strong democrat. and he came honestly
by his democracy, for his father, Silas
Bryan, was one of the staunchest DEM
ocrats in Illinois. and, by the way. his
father was a character. He was poll
tician, but at the same time
he was known as a religious enthu-
siast. He was a great man to pray.
He would pray at any time or in any
place. You never could tell when
Silas Bryan was going to break out
into prayer He served in the legisla-
ture, and he Invariably dropped to his
knees and offered up a silent prayer
before he addressed the chair, and
often during the proceeding he would
get down on his knees for a few mo-
ments Of spiritual converse with the
Almighty. Then he was made circuit
Judge, and he continued his praying.
When he came into the court room he
would pray. and often while the at
torneys were making arguments he
would slide down behind the bench and
seek spiritual refreshment. Will Bryan
is quite as religious as his father, only
he is less demonstrative. He and
his wife have been active members Of
the First Presbyterian church ever
never, to my knowledge, uttered one
word of profanity. nor used tobacco
nor intoxicants in any form.
Il can recall one debate in which he
participated in his college days. The
subject was the duty of a representa-
tive in the legislature or congress,
whether he should be guided by his
own views or by those of his constitu-
ents. He maintained that the repre-
sentative ought to be careful to get on
the right side and then educate his
constituents up to his opinion.
Bryan is an upright, conscientious
Christian man. have never known
a finer character. I am positive that
he went into politics with no selfish
motives. He is thoroughly convinced
that the country is beset with condi-
tons that call for the highest patriot
ism, the noblest endeavor, and he re-
CARDS it his duty to help right what
he says are the wrongs Of the people.
could give you many instances of his
disinterestedness Two years ago a
gentleman from New York sat in Bry-
ans Office there trying to get him to
make a contract to deliver fifty lee
lures at 500 a lecture. Bryan was
poor then, as he is poor now. and
urged him to accept the offer. but he
would hardly listen to the man. He didn't
sign the contract. When he was IN
congress he was offered $4,000 a year
to become the counsel Of a large cor
poration. but he told the officers he
wuld not act as their attorney for the
entire profits of the concern. He has
been repeatedly urged to make his
home in democratic states, with the
assurance that he would be elected to
the United States senate and kept
there the rest of his life. but he said
he preferred to remain in Lincoln, and
he will continue to keep his residence
In this city" w. NJ. 8.