The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-01-02
DIsGUsTED AT sENSATIONALIsM
Because Of Improper Manner of has Ad-
vertfsing, Mr.. Bryan Cancelled his
Contract.
New York journal, Wednesday,

thority the actual facts in connection
with William j. Bryan's lecture tour con-
tract.
Althouash the first and last lecture at
| De Gives opera house, in Atlanta,
| brought receipts amounting to $500,
Mr.. BRYAN was induced TO cancel his con-
tract by the actions of his managers,
| who insisted on making hippodrome OF
mis- appearances. Rather than depart
| from the dignified position he maintain
| ed 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-sensatonal. lie
| understood that he was to be taken strict
| IL ON his merits, and that THE most for
r,,o5 opd modest method of billing was to
| he used in announcing has coming. In
stead of this, he was confronted in At
lanta with huge posters stuck indiscrim-
inately throughout the city and pietur-
ing him in most vulgar and distasteful
manner. One bid showed him in htho-
graph standing beside jackson, Jefferson,
Lincoln and Washington. This parbicu-
lar bill was most obnoxious to the defeat
ed candidate and most inimical to his
sense of Judgment He was so disheart-
ened at the coarse display that had been
made Of him that he was tempted to re-
fuse to enter the opera house. Kindly
consideration for the enthusiastic audi
ence 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 mana
gers Roache and Comstock, next day.
1t had come to Mr.. Bryan's ears pre-
vious to his entry into Atlanta that
R0ache and Comstock had quarrelled in
an ugly manner over the notoriety chat
each was to get out OF has affihation with
him. This he was willing to pass over,
as it had not then become public, but
the vulgar display of posters and the
I wording Of the advertisements offended
him to the soul
Here is a copy of the original telegram
sent to Mr.. Bryan by v. e. McBee, who
was the financial hacker of the lecture
tour and with whom he was induced to
enter into the contract:
Congratulate you on your magnificent
endeayor. Win you entertain non-sen-
sational business proposition for so lect-
ures for $50,000F'
Mr.. Bryan answered by telegram in the
affirmative. Mr.. McBee WAS about to
close a contract on this basis with Mr..
Bryan when he was told that there were
not enough houses south Of Washington
big enough to hold the people who would
want to attend. lie then arranged with
Mr.. Bryan TO pay him $4,000 cash in
advance for 10 lectures, and to plan for
the future on a basis satisfactory to
both This was agreed to after Mr.. Me-
Bee had sent Mr.. Bryan this letter:
Atlanta, Ca, Nov 8, 1896.
(Personal)
Hon. William J. Byan, Lincoln, Neb.
Referring to the Geographic cores
pondence in regard to your lecturing.
This is quite departure from my reg
ular vocation, but, being both personally
and politically interested in your mag
nificent campaign, | am prompted to
make the offer.
I'm reply to your telegram of Novem-
Der z, | wired you last night giving you
number of references as to my business
qualifications and social standing. 1t
may not be improper for me to give a
brief statement of who / am, that you
may satisfy yourself by making further
inquiries outside of the gentlemen
named in my message. My Office is at
Portsmouth, Va, am General Superin-
tendent Of the Seaboard Air Line Rail-
way. Have been prominently connected
| with railroads in the South for the past
thirty years. See biographical directory
OF railroad officials Have extensive ac-
| quaintance throughout the South and
| East. First / wish to assure you that
the element OF admiration enters into
the motive that prompts the offer refer
I'd to- There is, of course, a speculative
idea, but only from the standpoint of le-
| climate, honest and sincere endeayor be-
| longing to the highest class of work in
presenting you before the people on the
lecture platform. This work shall most
| emphatically be free from all advertising
Of any personal interests or enterprise
| whatever, and in this connection / am
| agreeable that the contract shall be most
| explicit.
Offer in brief, detailed, to-wit: You
select territory and subject for so lee
lures. Will deliver certified check to you
| for $4,000 on signing contract This
to be payment for first ten lectures, other
lectures paid for on delivery, which shall
be guaranteed Entire details Of tour
| arranged to your satisfaction, not more
than three lectures a week expected. Ur-
gent tnaL tour sR0uld Degln within fort
night. Wire me there at Kimball House
as to PARTICULARS and if further enter
tanned viii send my attorney and repre-
sentative to Lincoln to close matter at
once. V.E. M'BEE.
Mr.. Bryan had 1.-THE close advice of
| friends before he stlut off his tour after
the lecture in Alfalfa, and they agreed
with him that he would be wise to dis
countenance any such outrageous sensa-
tionaHsm. Mr.. Bryan promptly gave Mr..
| McBee a certified check for the $4,000
he had received. He was paid 81, 900 for
| his nights work and his railroad ex-
| penses.
Far from being compelled to quit on &C.
! count Of encouragement in respect to
audiences, Mr.. Bryan had every reason
to believe that the tour would have been