The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1897-01-06
Col. Il. A. Gaillard OF Winusboro,
who has been succeeded by Col. ]. J.
McLucas.
CANCELLED His CONTRACT
Because ofthe Sensational Manner OF adj
yertising It.

The Journal can give with positive
authority the actual facts q connec
ton with William J Bryan's lectur'
tour contract. Although the first anc
last lecture at De Gives opeAhouse
in Atlanta. brought receipts amount
ing to 81 300, Mr.. Bryan was induced
to cancel his contract by the action!
Of his managers, who insisted on max
ing hippodrome OF his appearances
Rather than depart from the dignifeC
position he maintained Throughout
the campaign, he decided to return tc
his home in Lincoln.
Mr. Bryan was led to believe from
the very start that his tour was tc
have been Of the most non-sensation
al. He understood that he was to be
taken strictly On his merits, and that
the most formal and modest method
Of billing was 10 be used in announc
ing his coming. Instead of this, he
was confronted in Atlanta with huge
posters stuck indiscriminately through
out the city and picturing him in
most vulgar and distateful manner.
One bill showed him in lithograph
standing beside Jackson. Jefferson,
Lincoln and Washington. This par.
ticular bill was most obnoxious to the
defeated candidate and most inimical
to his sense Of judgment. He was SO
disheartened at the course display
that had been made of him that he
was tempted to refuse to enter the
opera house. Kindly consideration
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 Com
stock. next day.
It had come to Mr.. Bryan's ears pre-
vious to his entry into Altar ! that
Roache and Comstock had quarrelled
in an ugly manner over the notoriety
tha! each was to get out OF his afIilia-
ton with him. This he was willing
10 pass over, as it had not then be
come public, but the vulgar display
of posters and the wording OF the ad-
Vertisements offended him to the soul.
Here is copy Of the original tele-
gram sentto Mr.. Bryan By V. Z. Nc.
Bee, who was the financial backer Of
the lecture tour and with whom he
was induced to enter into the con-
tract:
Congratulate you on your magniG-
cent endeavor. Win you entertain
non.sensational business proposition
for so lectures for $50, 000?"
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 bouses south
OF Washington big enough to hold
the people who would want to attend.
He then arranged with Mr.. Bryan
to pay him $4,000 cash in advance
for 10 lectures, and to plan ior the fu.
ture on a basis satisfactory to both.
This was agreed to after MIR. McBee
had sent Mr.. Bryan this letter:
Atlanta, Ca, Nov. 9, 1895.
Hon. William J. Bryan, Lincoln,
Neb.:
Referring to the telegraphic CORE
spondencei2 regard to your lecturing.
This is quite a departure from my
regular vocation, but, being both per-
sonally and politically interested in
your most magnificent campaign, I
am prompted to make the offer.
In reply to your telegram OF Nov.
Z I wired you last night, giving a
number of references as to my busi-
ness qualifications and social standing.
It may not be improper for me to give
a brief statement of who l arl, that
you may satisfy yourself by making
further inquiries outside of the gentle,
men named in my message. Ny office
is at Portsmouth, Va, am general su-
periltendent OF the Seaboard Air Line
Railway. Have been prominently
connected with railroads in the South
for the past thirty years. See bio.
graphical directory OF railway officials.
Have extensive acquaintance through
out south and east. First, wish to
assure you that the element of admi-
ration enters into the motive that
prompts the offer referred to. There
is, Of course, a speculative idea, but
only from the standpoint OF legitimate,
honest and sincere endeavor belong
ing 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, aud in this
connection I am agreeable that con.
tract shall be most explicit.
'Offer in brief, detailed, to wit:
You select territory and subject for
50 lectures. VIII deliver you certi-
fed check for ter thousand dollars on
signing contract This is to be pay
ment for the 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 week
Urgent that tour should
begin within fortnight. Wire me here
1t kimball house as to particulars,
and if further entertained will send
ny attorney and representative to
Lincoln to close matter at once.
V. T. McBee.
Mr.. Bryan had the close advice Of
friends before he shirt Oft his tour af-
er the lecture in Atlanta. and they
agreed with him that he would be
wise to discountenance any such out,
'ageous sensationalism. Mr.. Bryan
promptly gave Mr.. McBee a certified
check for the ten thausand he had re-
;eived. He was paid one thousand
dollars for his nights work and his
'ailroad expenses.
Far from being compelled to quit on
account Of discouragemeat in respect
o audiences, Mr.. Bryan had every
'eason to believe that the tour would
lave been a great financial success.