The age-herald., 1898-03-06
WILLIAM ]. BRYAN
 WILLIAM Nh SPRINGER R
By NED BRACE.

I met William J. Bryan and William M. Springer tho other day. They happened to meet here by accident They had met several times before. Springer and Bryan are originally from the same congressional district in Illinois. Bryan once made speech in convention nominating Springer for congress. Bryan was then a mere boy. but he had begun the practice of law and was a good talker. He was ann bitious for honors, yet he was loyal to Springer. So Bryan too Horace GreeIey's advice and went west. He tossed his shin- gle to the breezes in Lincoln, Neb., and soon thereafter entered the political arena and was sent to congress as democrat from republican district
 It happened that when Bryan was elect- ed the house was democratic. It was the Fifty-second congress, the succeeding com gress to that of which Reed was speaker. and which became known ds the billion dollar congress.
 It being democratic congress demo- crat was to be elected speaker. There were many candidates. Crisp and Mills were the leaders. William M. Springer was also candidate. He didn't have more than dozen ardent supporters, but one or these was William J. Bryan, an unknown young man who had pust happened to get into congress. At least this was what was said in Washington. Bryan was firm in his support of Springer. He never wavered an instant, nor did he ever contemplate changing his vote as long as Springer re- mained a candidate. Finally Springer withdrew and announced to his friends that he proposed to cast his own vote Tor Crisp. He did it. Bryan did the same and Crisp was elected
 When Judge Crisp made up his commit tees Springer was made chairman or the ways and means, the most important conn mittee of the house.
 Bryan wanted to be on that committee. but all precedent was contrary to the ap- pointment of any man serving his first term in the house going on the ways and means committee. I well remember Springers visit to Speaker Crisp when he interceded in Bryan's behalf
 "I have one favor to ask of you, MT. Speaker" said Springer "There is young man in the house who was born and raised in my district He moved to Nebraska few years ago and has been sent to con- gress from that state He is the brightest young man I have ever known. In your and my day we will both recognize him as one of the great men of this country. l want you to appoint him on the ways and means committee-give him an opportunity to show his mental calibre. I will stake my reputation on it that you will never re- lgret the act"
 There are many bright young men in congress- replied the speaker, "but l can. not appoint them on this committee. How ever, send Bryan to me in order that may explain to him."
 Bryan saw Judge Crisp. The latter was impressed with the man. Later he sent for Springer and said to him.:
 Bryan is a bright young fellow. l shall appoint him on the ways and means com mfttee.'
 Speaker Crisp never had cause to regret the act. In the following tariff debate Bryan, bounded into fame. One tariff speech made him known throughout this broad land. It was perhaps the most enthusi- astically applauded and effective tariff speech ever made in congress. But for William M. Springer Bryan would never have had that opportunity. Bryan was afterwards defeated for congress by a re- publican.
 At the time Bryan was nominated for the presidency Springer was defeated for con- gress. Springer had strayed all among the gold democrats. MT. Cleveland re- warded him for his stand for the single gold standard by appointing him to a fed- eral judgeship in the Indian territory.
 Springer and Bryan are today wide apart, politically, but their views have never in- terfered with their personal friendship.
 They met here the other day by accident --the first time in several years. The meet ing was cordial.
 'I am proud of you, my boy" said Springer. You will yet be president
 CURRENT FUN.