The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1897-07-13
BRYAN's CIRCUS.

- ~AAN~sH-s
paratively young nation. it has had oc-
casion to pass through some pretty Sc
we're ordeals in its history. bu, never be-
fore, no matter what was the popular
topic OF agitation, has the spectacle been
witnessed Of man, supposed to possess
the qualifications fer the exalted Office OF
president. running about the country
after his defeat AT the polls seeking TO
revive the repudlased issues OF his cam
paign at a charge OF so many dollars TOR
each Of his engagements TO speak. This
is precisely the business tha; ex-Candi-
date Bryan is now engaged in. and how
any intelligent man can so far forget the
deoenoies and proprietiss OF ordinary civ
ilized lie as to participate in his meet
ings or uphold his course Of conduct i
beyond comprehension and almost belief
The man is fakir pure ana simple;
he was repeatedly exposed as such dur
ing the campaign. and his present breach
OF good manners and common sense
ought TO forfeit his claim TO Indulgence,
even on the score OF his supposed SINGER
ity and established ignorance. He pre-
tends to represent a great principle
to be weighed down. as it were. with
the responsibility of awakening nis fel-
lowmen to a realization Of the wrongs
and expressions from which they have
suffered long. and yet. after the manner,
Of other peripatetic attractions. he main
tains hired manager, who haggles
about the price to be paid for his prin-
eiple's engagements. and pits the bidders
for his appearance only to bill Performer
Piyan with the organization Or society
Offering the most money for him. In
other words. people VINO can't pay don't
get chance 10 hear MIR Bryan, while
those who do pay are delivered a stated
amount of goods for so much money
1t was wen understood during lie cam
paign that Mr.. Bryan exacted and re-
eeived money for his speecnes: but II
was pleaded for him then that as poor
man, running as a poor mans candidate
on a poor mans ticket he had no other
way TO provide for his family and pay
necessary campaign expenses Nov, on /
the contrary. according to his own boast
in private conversation, he is living IN !
yeritable lap OF luxury has money to /
burn. or, which is about the same thing. (
to contribute 10 the so-called bimetalllc /
league from the enormous royalties /
turned over TO him from the sale Of hls !
book. There was never, we repeat, in the /
whole history Of the country public
spectacle quite so disgraceful. or one
which was so serious reflection on the /
intelligence Of the masses as the crowded |
exhibitions which Mr.. Bryan is aow CIV
ing. at so many dollars per exhibit Ike
the two-legged calf or the prize Jsckass
on a country fair circuit Something
ought really TO be done 10 put stop
10 such folly, and to induce the agricul-
tural and other societies having Mr.
Bryan on their list Of attractions to in
vest their simple-minded patrons money
in some other more rational form Of
amusement 1t is true that Mr.. Bryan's
presence as the great star Of these coun-
try gatherings may help the -.rectors
or managers in their gate receipts-thdt
his performances, indeed IN the relaxa-
ton in money matters resulting frnm
McKinleys election, might make abso-
Iutely certain the chances Of clearing
expenses. or even small profits, but It is
wrong to play upon the credulity Of the
rustics who turn out to hear I'm under
the impression that he believes the alb
surd things he says. and that he IS ac-
tuated solely by consideration for their
and welfare. Respectable
newspapers, too, are much to blame for
the fraud and imposition Of the Bryan
SHOWS. There is every reason to believe
that ii they would cease to devote col
umns to the publication Of his silly
ingore his movements. ard
refrain from serious arguments in an
swer TO his ridiculous assertions. inter-
sst in his exhibitions would cease, and
The crowds that now go to hear him