New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-05-07
MAsoNs JOKE ON BRYAN.
now TIE SENATOR WON THE GREAT DEBATE
At MUsCATLNE, IOWA.


From The Chicago Inter Ocean.
When Colonel William J. Bryan was making one
day and one-night stands all over the country as
the paid orator of the Bimetalc League In 1872 ne
ator William T. Mason Of Illinois Somep3ody
wS Bryan on the silver question the next
Mason replied that joint debate at any time or
place was always in order so far he was con-
cerned No matter about the question-make it
silver or any other thing they PLEASED or as nsY
things they pleased whatever Bryan was VIII.
ing TO talk about he was willing TO tax BACK at
him.
Bryan was not well disposed at first toward the
contemplated arrangement The local Democratic
committee thought that Bryan might 90 great
M MS.S j." ''e community WIN
9sTs him said
two terms in Congress. You can make chop-
BRYAN finally consented The debate lasted two
hours. 1t was to have lasted two hours ana a
ond and BRYAN using one-haf hour in closing
The shortening Of the programme grew out OF me
DIRE se he went over the ground he had been accus-
TONED 10 travel in his set speeches. lie made eX-
vulnerable to ridicule against the anticipated at
lacks of his opponent lie pointed ines out the exact
Mason made no effort TO be serious. Mr. Bryan,
he said, had told them Just where his speech was
that for him TO do, but Bryan had not, the
only thing left him was to point out where the
Why" he said. with that peculiar shrug of the
shoulders which gives most of its efeGt 10 o tnc
heard. The old greenDack party, which cut some
figure in Iowa once proposed 10 issue notes Lr
money They at least willing to promise 10
pay. What Mr.. Bryan wants TO do IL 10 com
money Of false value. ] had client over IN
Chicago not long ago who had been indicted Tor
counterfeiting. He owned up To me that ne had
done the work Because, says he, I've heaTd
that YOU lawyers fight harder for a guilty man
than YOU do for an innocent one, and a lawyer can
ALWAYS lie better when he is lying than when ne IS
in doubt about it, | made the queer ana showed
IL saws he but the Government is IN the same
business My coin amt a hundred cents ana
neither is this, he said. taking silver ooIar out
OF his pocket.
I'm not said he; I've told you I'm a counter,
II couldn't save him." said Mason, suddenly
drawing his neck down into his shoulders and CIV
ing mis- face a grimace Understandable as the
drg wi he ga We his voice Hes in Joliet now i
hope my friend Bryan will take warning from his
fate" r. 49,. =,
The manner as much the matter of this de-
liverance SET the audience in roar. Bryans race
alone remained set Ii was plain that the olsnlty
OF the orator had been offended. and mat ne WIS
Tnaking an heroic struggle to assert IL against me
crowd AS II is maxim OF Masons story teI,-
ing that the story teller is in honor bound 10 ansn
with his audience he had 10 wipe his eyes peiore
-. ..,.,a xnoro
than | intended" nc said with mock gravity, Wheh
his voice could be heard. He should not take
me too seriously AT all times. do not say nnat
he will ever violate the law against counterleihs'
What ne wants 10 do IS TO repeal it,
Mr.. Bryan left town at once.