The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1897-01-02
nIpPoDaonE FOR BRYAN.
10 Reason for Sudden Termination
OF His Lecture Tour.
(NeW YORK. Journal.)

The Journal can give with positive au-
Rrity the actual facts In connection
FL William J. Bryan's lecture tour
= ltract.
Although the first and last lecture at
Il Gives Opera House, in Atlanta,
epught receipts amounting to $4,000,
Bryan was induced to cancel his
ltract by the actions of his managers,
10 insisted on making Il hippodrome of
appearance. Rather than depart
: m the dignif1ed position he maintained
Eoughout the campaign, he decided to
urn to his home in Lincoln.
Mr. Bryan was led to believe from the
Try start that his tour was to have
zen OF the most conversational. He
derstood that he was to be taken
&ictly on his merits, and that the
Pst formal and modest method Of bill
p was to be used in announcing his
fning. Instead Of this, he was con-
: ,nted in Atlanta with huge posters.
PICK Unfortunately throughout the
&y, and picturing him In a most vulgar
"a distasteful manner. One bill showed
IN In Autograph standing beside Jack
n Jefferson, Lincoln and Washington.
rus particular bill was most obnoxious
81 the defeated candidate. and most ini-
3cal to his sense of Judgment. He was
II disheartened at the coarse display
at had been made Of him that he was
mpted to refuse to enter the Opera
ouse. Kindly consideration for the en-
E{usiastic audience booked for the house
Ely deferred him from refusal.
Howcver, when he went upon the
Sige, he had fully determined to speak
more under the contract he had
Rlde. He so announced himself to his
hnagers-Roache and Comstock-
xt day.
PIT had come to Mr.. Bryan's ears pre-
4Pus to his entry into Atlanta that
5pache and Comstock had quarrelled In
Il ugly manner over the notoriety that
&ch was to get out of his utilization
tn him. This he was willing to pass
err. as 1T had not then become public;
Fl the vulgar display of posters. and
e wording of the advertisements Of
nded him to the soul.
3Here Is copy OF the original tele-
am sent to MIR. Bryan by V. e. McBee,
10 was the financial hacker of the lee
re tour, and with whom he was in
Iced to enter into the contract:
congratulate you on your magnificent
deavor. VIII you entertain non-sen-
tlonaI business proposition for fifty
ctures for $4,000?
MIR. Bryan answered by telegram in
3e affirmative. Mr.. McBee was about
close a contract on this basis with
~. Bryan, when he was told that there
PRE- not enough houses south Of Wash
4gton big enough to hold the people
eho would want to attend. He then ar
nged with Mr.. Bryan to pay him $10.-
~ cash in advance for ten,lectures, and
plan for the future on a basis salts
Ectory to both. This was agreed to
ter Mr.. McBee had sent Mr. Bryan
Ia letter:
Atlanta, Ga, Nov. 8, 1896
CPersonal)
Hon While ~, D,,,on
Referring to the telegraphic corre
Iondence In regard to your lecturing:
4nis is quite a departure from my
guar vocation; but, being both per-
fnally and politically interested in your
Iagnihcent campaign, / am prompted
make the offer.
IN reply to your telegram of Novem-
Jr th, l wired you last night, giving
number of references as to my bust
s'ss qualifications and social standing.
may not be improper for me to give
4oflef statement OF who am, that YOU
lay satisfy yourself by making fur
FER inquiries. outside of the gentlemen
3llned i'll my message. My office is at
4ortomSuun, Va; am general superin-
3ndent or the Seaboard Air Line rail-
Jay! have been prominently connected
5ith railroads in the South for the past
eir'y years. See biographical direc-
I'VE acquaintance through the South
pa Fast. First. 1 wish to assure you
PAT the element of admiration enters
to the motive that prompts the offer
{terred to. There is, OF course. a specu-
tive idea; but only from standpoint of
fgltimate, honest. and sincere endeayor.
tlonging to the highest class of work
presenting you before the people on
re lecture platform This work shall
lost emphatica lly be free from, oil ga
Irtising of any personal interests or en-
IrprlSe Whatever; and in this connec-
ION L ann agreeable that contract shall
L most explicit.
lOffer In brief. detailed-to wit: You
flect territory. and subject for fifty
|ctures. VIII deliver you certified
peck FOR $4,000 on signing contract.
ms TO be payment for last ten lee
pres; other lectures paid for on deliv-
~, which shall be guaranteed. Entire
Ptaiis or tour arranged TO your salts
Ection. not more than three lectures
week expected. Urgent that tour
hould begin within fortnight. Wire
lie mere at klmball House as to,partic,1-
Prs; and. If further entertained. will
ind my attorney and representative
Lincoln to close matter at once.
/. v. e. M'BEE.
Mr.. Bryan had the close advice of
Eiends before he shut Off his tour after
Pc lecture in Atlanta, and they agreed
|ith him that he would be wise to dis
puntenance any such outrageous SEN
etionallsm. Mr.. Bryan promptly gave
II. MoBee a certified check for the $40
" ne had received. He was paid 81 900
pr MS nights work, and his railroad
Epenses.
Far from being compelled to quit on
pcount of encouragement in respect to
'ldlences, Mr. Bryan had every reason