New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-01-09

ITS TRUE INwARDNEss REVEALED By
THE AUTHOR OF THE LECTURE PLAN.
ONE OF THE PROPOSED FIFTY LECTURES ENOUGH
MR.. BRYANs REFUSAL OF $4,000

ONE OF THE PROPOSED FIFTY LECTURES ENOUGH
MR.. BRYAN's REFUSAL OF $4,000
cIEcK-rERMs OF THE CONTRACT.
John Roche who is engaged in the Jewelry
business in this city and we'll known among the
members Of that trade. Is the man who originated
the idea Of engaging William J. Bryan 10 deliver
fifty lectures for $4,000 He makes his headquar-
ters at the Hoffman House. When met In an ONCE
downtown a day or two ago. he was found willing
TO talk about the Bryan hasco, and disclosed
number Of facts regarding the contract with the
late Populistc candidate for the Presidency which
have not before been made public. The whole
truth about the affair." he said, had not been told
all of the published accounts being more or less n-
correct. The story which follows Is given sub
stantiay in Mr.. Roches words.
las soon the news Of Bryan's defeat came in,"
said Mr.. Roche 1T occurred to me that 1t would
be good pan to put him in the lecture field
preached the subject to Il. V. McBee. OF Atlanta,
the president OF the Seaboard Air Line Railroad.
and he fc.I In with the plan at once. The next
morning after the election dispatch was sent TO
Mr. Bryan In Mr.. McBee's name. offering him
$4,000 for delivering fifty lectures. He asked
If he would entertain proposition to go on the
platform. and it expressly stated In the dis
patch that 1t business proposition without
any sentiment in II. II seemed to me that just
after his defeat such a matter would at least re-
ceive consideration In his family circle.
1T was three days before the answer came. and
In the mean time Mr.. McBee had gone back 10 At
lanta. Nj. Bryan told him to send on his agent
l went first to Atlanta and arranged the matter
with Mr.. McBee and then went to Lincoln and
conducted the negotiations with Mr. Bryan And
l want to say that found him he a lovely char
acter, with charming family. Mrs Bryan is
refined well-edIcated and most intelligent woman.
and her children are all one could ask them to be-
l had an exceedingly pleasant time with the family
while il. Lincoln. Mr.. Bryan is agreeable man
In conversation, and there Is nothing of the An
archistic spirit in him. far I could
The first proposal was 10 give him 5000 for
nifty lectures, but the contract as drawn provided
ures and for the remaining ones the arrangement
was that. after taking out slOc0 for the lecturer
mainder was 10 be divided between Mr. Bryan and
Mr. McBee. II it had turned out well there would
them Il was my idea 10 bring him out az 81
apse cities Where nat g 80 H in tn
would be drawn out of curiosity But Mr.. McBee
hGast you'd be s901 thing to Spgd up m
One of his ideas. suppose. was to boom his rail-
We'll the thing was doomed for three weeks.
The city was extensively billed Captain Evan +.
thing in his power to help on the cause specia!
rates were made on all the railroads for hundred
s %ere not enough as Of sm The S
very large one. seating $500 or 1000 people.
together. Tren the lecture not success in
itself. For one thing, Bryan's voice was not in
good shape. he had made 600 speeches In the CAM
paign. and his voice had not recuperated. as was
expected. For another thing. II appears that when
you take him any other subject than money and
politics he is good.
Now | tell you something about him
that shows what a noble character he possesses.
At the close of the lecture Mr.. McBee offered him
a certified check for $4,000 to cover the first ten
lectures. He refused TO take IT, and would only
accept $1,000 for the first He was entitled 10
be paid in advance, and don't think many men
would have declined to take the money under such
circumstances. But Bryan did although ne is a
poor man. AS far Atlanta was concerned We
Just about cleared expenses.
Mr. Roche asked II there was any nkelhooo
that more lectures would be given by Mr.. Bryan.
He said that he did not think II probable. Mr
BRYAN himself did not want go on. although
guarantees had been offered in Houston and CAL
weston, and perhaps one or two other places.
IL was thought In the beginning that the man.
ayers Of the defeated candidate for the Presidency
might make 10000 by bringing him before tho
country in a role. Now. they probably count
themselves lucky in coming out of the venture
without losing much, II anything.