The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-04-08
WE'RE SMALL COMPARED TO THOSE
THAT HEARD HIM BEFORE.
While Discussing the Cuban Question
He Does Not Critfcise the
observation-disclosures.

night people fought for admittance, the
aisles were crowded and the mass of hui
n1anity eager to see and hear crowded down
on the press tables, making 1t almost inn
possible for any one to stir hand or foot,
and his appearance on the stage was the
signal for long continued applause. BY 7:l0
o'clock last night the hall was about two
thirds filled. and at that time the sergeant
alarms and his assistants were directed
to admit all who applied for admission, so
that Indianapolis people were not turned
away. Up to that time visitors had the
right of way TO the lower floor, the CALLER
les being reserved for local spectators. Fully
half of the audience was made up of Indian
aDolis citizens
1t was the same Bryan, with the same
smile, the same dark flashing eye and with
the same story on his lips that appeared
before the audience Those who had had
their fill during the day of speeches denun-
ciatory of the administration for its war
policy and were prepared to applaud to the
echoes anything Bryan might say on this
subject, were keenly disappointed at his
temperate words After DIR. Taylor's con-
temptuous filings at "Wabbling Willy in
the afternoon, the audience was scarcely
prepared to hear Bryan say that he would
of those who have such grave responsible
ties resting upon them in this crisis. If
Bryan had nothing new to advance in his
bmetallic arguments he. it was observed
by the thinking spectators, was at least
consistent enough to confine himself to the
discussion of the question that the conven-
hear. Mr.. Bryan could not altogether lay
aside the garb of the demagogue. however
and while not attacking the administration,
admitting that it was unwise to criticise
without knowledge of what was contem-
plated, he played upon the prejudices of
mass against class, poor against rich. While
discussing the overthrow of the income tax
law. he said that act had placed the gov
ernment where it could not take from the
rich the money necessary to support in
times of blodshed and war the mothers
son. drafted from the ranks of the poor.
Some of his stories were irreverent, but
they excited his hearers to laughter, and
Bryan seemed satisfied with accomplishing
this purpose. He had nothing to say of
free-siiver Mexico or his recent visit there.
Those who observed how rapidly men began
putting on their coats to rush away from
tho hall after he concluded realized that
1t was a curiosity to see the speaker that
drew them together Mr. Bryan was driven
from the hall to the Grand Hotel, where he
received considerable attention for half
hour Afterward he was taken upstairs,
where there was q talk among the leaders
about the campaign in Indiana this fall
1t is understood Mr.. Bryan will make sew
eral speeches in Indiana. He will leave this
morning at IL o'clock for Bloomington,
where he is to deliver an address to-day.
The convention cannot be said to have
been a success. 1t did not come UP to the
sanguine predictions made two or three
days ago. Leon O. Bailey said hall three
times as big as Tomlinson Hall would be
too small. Allen w. Clark said last night
that about four thousand delegates tickets
had been given out. The train records do
not show that any such crowds were car
ried. Most of those who arrived yesterday
We're from Indiana towns, fifty to one hum
dred miles away. There were no big dele
cations from any distance, and but for the
reinforcement from Indianapolis and sur
rounding towns last night the big event,
the Bryan meeting, would have been a rank
failure. Every one knew that TomIinson
Hall would be filled last night, but there
was surprise that it's capacity was not
taxed. Mr.. Clark and the others who have
had the meeting in charge express satisfac-
ton at the result, saying it exceeded their
expectation.
Mayor Taggart was not present last
night. Those who have accused him of
fiunking and turning over to the half
nation of their belief. He was at
nation of their circumstances. He was at
the hotel all evening, and when inquiries
were made for him it was said he had gone
home about 10 o'clock, before Mr.. Bryan's
return to the hotel. On the stage were such
men as Ex-Governor Matthews, Judge Cox,
Leon o. Bailey, John w. Kern docking I'M
comfortably, j. B. Cheadle, f. j. Van Voris,
and last but not least Tim Griffin who
eagerly dropped into seat beside Mr.. Bry-
an while others were talking and beamed
with delight.
Judge James p. Tarvn. the newly elected
president of the league, called the meeting
to order After resolutions were adopted
thanking the indianapolis News and Senti-
mel (the Journal being too much of sound
money advocate to be included), the people
of Indianapolis and Allen w Clark king of
the push in particular, for the hospital
ity shown and the efforts to make the con-
vention success, and authorizing the re-
vision of the constitution so as to place
Illinois ON the same basis as other States in
the league Judge Tarvin turned the meet
ing over to Samuel E. Morss, editor of the
Sentinel, who introduced the various speak
ers.
Speaking of 'frosts,'" said Mr.. Morss
looking over the audience, II wonder how
this strikes our gold friends? They must
regard 1T as a thaw, a regular spring
freshet in fact. 1T strikes me that there
has been a mistake somewhere and that the
cause of silver is not dead"
Mr. MorsS then introduced DIR. S. III. Tay-
Tor, OF Chicago, who recited a poem that he
said had been inspired by the Bryan book
THE First Battle"
and Charles A. Towne of Minnesota, made
hfteen-minute addresses, repeating much
that they had said in their previous adj
dresses. Mr.. Morss then introduced 1.-The
great leader of bimetallism and Democracy
William Jennings Bryan, of the United
reckoning for silence; On his breast he
wore a delegates badge and a ''Taggart'
badge, bearing the words, Free Americans
Free Silver, Free Cuba" around the top
of which was twined smaller ribbon
booming "Taggart for Governor in 1900
Mr. Bryan began speaking. He touched on
the support that had been given him in the
last campaign by the speakers that pre-
BRYAN ON CUBA.
LAS we meet tonight" said Mr.. Bryan,
I'VE all recognize we are in the presence
of possible war-I say possible, because we
do not know what the outcome may be. /
have RETAINED from discussing the situation
because / recognize the grave responsible
ties resting upon those who are directing
events. would not say word to make
the load heavier. / would not say a word
that might be rega rded as a cOndemna ton