The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-06-02
MIR. BRYAN,s LECTURE.
Twenty-Five Hundred People he"r
Him Repeat Last Years Speech


Twenty-Five hundred people Toasted their
ewes on William Jennings Bryan at TomIlh-
son Hall last night The defeated candidate
for President delivered his lecture on BIZ
metallism. coming here under the auspices
of Camp GRAY. an organization of free-sil-
yer Democrats.
! Mr.. Bryan spoke for two hours on ms Ia
vorite hobby. but didn't tell anything new.
His lecture is practically a reteration of
his campaign speeches, with a few new ana
catchy metaphors thrown in. But there Is
no mistake about the enthusiasm of the au-
dience which heard him. 1t was a Bryan
audience from floor to gallery. Half OF 1t
was composed of women. Bright ribbons
and brilliant millinery could be seen every
where. Those who sat on the lower floor
and in the galleries paid % cents for the
privilege The more ardent admirers of the
free-silver lecturer paid 25 cents more and
got a little nearer their beloved leader. This
norton Of the audience took seats on the
stage About two hundred people doubled
the price of admission and took advantage
of this opportunity A hundred or more
persons who feared they would be unable
to hear the words that fell from the ora
tors iipS pushed to the front and stood up.
The hall put on a smart appearance in
honor of the distinguished lecturer The
American flag was the chief decoration. On
the stand stood a silver pitcher and a silver
cup from which the orator could refresh
himself. The pitcher contained water
Above the stage swung a great banner of
national colors. Another swung from the
south gallery, and red, white and blue col
ors adorned the east ard west galleries.
Down stairs in the ticket office two men,
bers of Camp Gray with coats off and
sleeves up sold tickets from to o'clock.
For forty minutes the crush around the
ticket Office was not unlike that of a circus
wagon. Outside a great crowd waited to
get a glimpse of the lecturer when he
should arrive. Mr.. Bryan was late in reach
ing the hall. The carriage which bore him
from the hotel was sighted by the crowd
about ten minutes after o'clock. They
made q rush in the direction of the APP
preaching vehicle, but the driver, executing
a deXterous flank movement, drew up at the
DelaWare-Street entrance instead of the
front doors. This was a disappointment,
but the crowd made dive down Delaware
street. However these enthusiasts were
distanced by Police Sergeant Hyland and
two or three patrolmen, and Mr. Bryan was
able to alight with some degree of comfort.
The audience inside the hall was growing
restless, but band stationed on the stage
kept the people halfway pacitied. The band
played America and the "Star-spangled
musicians were in the midst of Yankee
Doodle when the Bryan carriage was an
nounced. Mr.. Bryan was borne to the front
by Mayor Taggart and Ex-Governor Mat
thews and Major W. w. Robbins. The APP
pearance of the lecturer was the signal tor
demonstration on the part of the audi
ence, and the band changed its tune The
people on the stage stood up and clapped
their hands, and the crowds on the floor
and in the galleries raised deafening roar.
Men Ialrly beloved and women waved
their handkerchief and umbrellas Mr.
Bryan took OFF his soft crush white hat and
disclosed his broad forehead and dark curl
ing locks. This caused another outburst OF
enthusiasm. The band played and the au-
d1ence cheered, and, altogether, it was a
After a while Major Robbins came to the
front of the stage and began to speak. The
major said many complimentary things of
the defeated candidate, and was unable to
conclude without a reference to Mr. BRYAN 8
famous sentiment, cross of gold :" The
major was cheered to the echo and flushed
with pleasure. He then introduced Mayor
ing. The audience became noisily enthu-
siastc Save for the influence of women
that were fortunately present, the event
might have been mistaken for the ordinary
Democratic county convention.
Don't quit too soon, Tom" sang out
one or the mayors friends from the au-
dience.
"Hoorah for Tom Taggart the free-slver
candidate Tor mayor" yelled an individual
IN the front row. Then old fellow, evil
IDENTIFY a Celt, with his face all shining
with love for William Bryan, and eyerV-
thing with a tincture of free-silver De-
mocracy, arose from his seat in the front
row. He tried to express some appropriate
sentiment, but words failed him His en-
thusiasm and admiration for the men be-
fore him was too intense and what he ut
tered was in an unknown tongue. But the
love-ight was in his eye ana his beloved
Bryan understood. Mayor Taggart, with a
gracious wave of his hand commanded
silence and then introduced Mr.. Bryan as
the orator of the evening.
WELL-GROOMED MR.. BRYAN.
William Jennings Bryan came to the
front, his countenance wreathed in smiles.
1t was the complacent smile of a man
we'll groomed and well fed His splendid
figure was incased in a Acknowledgment
suit of black His shirt-front was immac-
ulate, and a diamond pin cleaned from it's
faultiess surface. His trousers were care
fully creased and fitted his legs as the sty-
lish pantaIoon should fit. The speaker was
accorded ovation, but was unable to
speak for several seconds. When he did
start there was a rude interruption and
the audience laughed. The little fellow
he of the unknown tongue-stood up again
and shrieked another sentiment. Then
the ardent Taggart admirer in the front
row straightway nominated a presidential
and state ticket for the next national cam
paign.
Il nominate William J. Bryan for the
next President, Claude Matthews for the
next Governor and Tom Taggart for