The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-01-02
Reasons Given For Sudden Ter
minatiOn of His Lectures.
Managers Violated Agreement.
Adopting Vulgar Methods.
HATED HIPPODROMING
Huge Posters and Other Means
of Display
Obnoxious to the Defeated Can
didate For President.

New York, Jan. 2.-The Morning
Journal contains the following:
The Journal can give with positive
authority the actual facts in connection
with William ]. Bryan's lecture tour
contract.
Although the first and last lecture at
De Gives Opera House, in Atlanta,
Mr.. Bryan was induced to cancel his
contract by the actions of his mana
gers, who insisted on making an hip
pCdrOme of his appearances Rather
than depart from the dignified position
he maintained throughout the campaign
he decided to return to his home in
Lincoln
Mr.. Bryan was led to believe from
the very start that his tour was to
have been of the most non-sensatio
He understood that he was to be taken
strictly on his merits. and that the
most formal and modest method of
billing was to be used in announcing
his coming Instead of this, he was
confronted in Atlanta with huge post
ers stuck Unfortunately throughout
the city and picturing him in a most
vulgar and distaSteful manner. One
bill showed him in Autograph standing
beside Jackson, jefferson, Lincoln and
Washington. This particular bill was
most obnoxious to the defeated candi-
date and most inimical to his sense of
judgment. He was so disheartened at
the coarse display that had been made
of him that he was tempted to refuse
to enter the opera house. Kindly con-
Sideration for the enthusiastic audience
booked for the house only deferred him
from refusal.
However, when he went upon the
stage, he had fully determined to speak
no more under the contract he had
made. He so announced himself to his
managers, Roache and Comstock, next
day.
vious to his entry into Atlanta that
Roache and Comstock had quarrelled
IN an ugly manner over the notoriety
that each was to get out of his affilia-
ton with him. This he was willing to
pass over, as it had not then became
public, but the vulgar display of post
ers and the wording of the advertise
ments offended him to the soul.
Here is copy Of the original tele-
gram sent to Mr. Bryan by V. E. Nc
Bee, who was the financial hacker of
the lecture tour and with whom he was
induced to enter into the contracr
Congratulate you on your magnif-
lcent endeavor. Will you entertain non
sensational business proposition for so
lectures for $4,000?
Mr. Bryan answered by telegram in
the affirmative. Mr.. McBee was about
to close a contract on this basis with
MI Bryan when he was told that there
We're not enough houses south of Wash
| ington big enough. to hold the people
who would want to- attend. He then ar
ranged with Mr.. Bryan to pay him SO
600 cash in advance for ten lectures and
to plan for the future on a basis salts
| factory to both. This was agreed to
after Mr.. McBee had sent Mr. Bryan
this letter:
! Atlanta, Ga, Nov. 9, 1896.
(PersOnaL)
Hon William J. Bryan, Lincoln, Neb
KeterrlnS to the telegra phic cores
| pondence in regard to your lecturing
! This is quite a departure from my reg
ular vocation, but, being both personal
| ly and politically interested in your
! magnificent campaign, 1 am prompted
| to make the offer.
| In reply to your telegram of Noven-
Der wired you last night giving a
! number of references as to my business
! qual1fca tons and social standing II
may not be improper for me to give a
brief statement of who I am. that you
| may satisfy yourself by making furth-
| er inquiries outside of the gentlemen
| named IN my message. My office is at
| portsmouth, Va, am general superin-
| tenuent OF the Seaboard Air Line rail-
! way Have been prominently connect
| ed with railroads in the south for the
! past 30 years. See biographical direc-
! tory of railway officials. Have exfen-
! sive acquaintance throughout south and
| esat- First, 1 wish to assure you thai
! the element of admiration enters into
the motive that prompts the offer re-
| Ierred to. There is, of course, a spec
] ulative idea but only from standpoint
/ of legitimate, honest and sincere en-
! deavor belonging to the highest class
| OF work in presenting you before the
| people on the lecture platform This
| work shall most emphaticauy be free
from all advertising of any personal in.
terests or enterprise whatever and il
| this connection am agreeable thai
contract shall be most explicit
Offer in brief, detailed, to-yvit: Yo1
select territory and subject for so lee.
! lures VIII deliver you certified checl
for $4,000 on signing contract This Il
| be payment for last ten lectures othei
| lectures paid for on delivery which
| shall be guaranteed. Entire details o.
| tour arranged to your satisfaction no
more than three lectures a week ex
pected- Urgent that tour should begin
within fortnight. Wire me here a
Kimball House as to particulars and i
/ further entertained will send my attor
ney and representative to Lincoln t,
close matter at once
V. E. M'BEE.
Mr. Bryan had the close advice O
| friends before he shut off his tour afte
the lecture in Atlanta. and they agree,
| with him that he would be wise to dis
| coUnteEance any such OUTRAGEOUS sen
sationalism. Mr.. Bryan promptly CAV
Mr.. McBee a certified check for tn
$4,000 he had received. He was pai
81 coo for his nights work and his rail
road expenses.
Far from being compelled to quit O
account of disbursement in respec
to audiences, Mr.. Bryan had every rea
. son to believe that the tour would hav
been great financial success. He val
! ued his dignity and standing too highl
to submit to vaudeville advertisement