The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1897-01-14
TOUR.
DISCUSSED AT SENSATIONALISM HE
CANCELLED The CONTRACT.
Did Not Like the Manner i'm Which He
Was Advertised-An Element of
HippOdrOming That Was Distaste-
full to Him-That Was What Caused
Mr.. Bryan to Ouit Lecturing and
Not Because of Failure.
New York Journal. l.

New York Journal.
The Journal can give with positive
authority the actual facts in connec-
ton with William J. Bryan's lecture
tour contract
Although the first and last lecture at
DeGive's opera house, in Atlanta
brought receipts amounting to ST. 800,
Mr.. Bryan was induced to cancel his
contract by the actions of his mana
gers who insisted on making a hippo
drome of his appearance. Rather
than depart from the dignified position
he maintained throughout the cam
palgn 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 sensational. 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 usei in announcing
his coming. Instead Of this, he was
confronted in Atlanta with huge pos
tiers, stuck lndIsCrlmlnately throug hOut
the city and plcturlng him in a most
vulgar and dstasteful manner. One
bill showed him in lIthograph standing
beside Jackson, Jefferson. Lincoln and
Washington. This particular bill was
most obnoxious to the defeated Candl-
date and most inimical to his sense of
judgment. He was SO dishearted al
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 50 announced himself TO
his managers, Roache and Comstock
next day.
1t had come to Mr.. Bryan's ears pre-
vlOus 20 his entry into Atlanta that
Roache and Comstock had quarrelled
In an ugly manner over the notoriety
that each was 10 get out of his aftilia
ton with him. This he was willing to
pass over as i, had not then become
public, but the vulgar display of pos
tcrs and the wording of the advert ise-
mcuts offended him 10 the SOUL
Here IS copy OF the original teie
gram sent to Mr.. Bryan by V. L.
McBee, who was the financial hacker
of the lecture tour and by whom he
was induced to enter into the contract
"Congratulate you on your magnif-
cent endeavor. Will you entertain
non-sensatlonal business proposition
for fifty lectures for $5O,OOO:'
Mr.. Bryan answered by telegram in
the affirmative. Mr.. MCBec was
about to close Il contract on this basis
with Mr.. Bryan when he was told that
there were not enough houses South
OF Washington big enough 10 hold the
people who would want to attend. He
then arranged with Mr.. Bryan to pay
him $40, 1000 cash in advance for 10
lectures, and to plan for the future Oh
/ basis satisfactory to both. This was
agreed to after Mr.. McBee sent Mr..
Bryan this letter:
ATLANTA, Ga, Nov. Q, 1896.
Personal.)
"IIon. William j. Bryan, Lincoln, Neb
"Reterring to the telegraphic cores
pondence in regard to your lecturing,
this is quite departure from my reg
uIar vocation, but, being both person.
ally and politically interested in your
magnificent campaign, | am prompted
to make the offer.
"Iu reply to your telegram of No.
vember !, wired you last night giving
YOU number OF references as to my
business qualifications and social stand
ing. 1t may not be improper for me
to give brief statement of who l am,
that You may satisfy yourself by max
ing further inquiries outside OF the gen.
tlemen named i'll my message. My
office is at Portsmouth, Va. am Gen
eral Superintendent of the Seaboard
Air Line Railway. Have been promi-
nently connected with railroads in the
South for the past thirty years. See
Biographical directory of railroad otlic
!aIs. Have extensive acquaintance
throughout the South and East. First,
| wish to assure you that the element
OF admiration enters into the motive
that prompts the offer referred to.
There Is, OF course, a speculative idea.
but only from the standpoint OF legiti-
mate. honest and sincere endeavor be-
longing to the highest class of work III
presenting you before the people on the
lecture platform This work shall most
emphatIcally be free from all advertis-
lug of any personal interests or enter
prise whatever, and i'll this connection
am agreeable that the contract shall
be most explicit.
Offer in brief. detailed. to-wit: y on
select territory and subject for so lee
lures. viii deliver certified check to
you for $4,000 on signing contract.
This to be payment for first ten lee
lures, other lectures paid for on deliv-
cry. which shall be guaranteed. En-
tire details of tour arranged to your
satisfaction. not more than three iec-
lures week expected. Urgent that
tour should begin within fortnight.
Wire me here at kimball House as to
particulars. aud if further entertained
will send my attorney and representa-
tive to Lincoln to close matters at
once.
". L. McBEE.'
Mr.. Bryan had the close advice o
his friends before he shut off his toul