New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-11-05
BRYAN OWES 1T TO CLAQUE.
WON THE NOMINATION IN 1896 BY A
CLEVER TRICK

POPULAR VIEW THAT THE CONVENTION
sTAMPEDED TO HIM SPONTANEOUSLY
DIsPELLED BY Ex-JUDGE SCOTT.
One of the chief claims of William Jennings
Bryan upon the loyalty of Democrats has been
the general understanding that he was nom
mated for President In 1896 at the Chicago Con-
vention by a great wave Of spontaneous senti-
ment " hch was started by his famous speech
in support OF free silver platform. the speech
in which he made his rather blasphemous re-
marks about the crown Of thorns and the cross
of gold. No vulgar machine methods. it has
always been announced, caused that stampede
of the party from its tried and trusted leaders
to the unknown Nebraskan spellbinder; but the
movement was almost involuntary, wholly
expected and in fact, inspiration. Mr.. Bryan
himself has modestly admitted so much when
asked about It, but comes to the front
man who was one of a group of Mr. Bryan's
friends who engineered the whole affair from
start to finish, and is not unwilling to tell how
1t was done. The calcium light which he turns
upon the Populist- Democratic candidate for
President shows Bryan to be a crafty schemer
and clever actor, who owes his nomination not
to spontaneous enthusiasm but to the simulated
enthusiasm of a carefully trained claque.
The man who makes this revelation Is Henry
W. Scott, Of the law firm of Scott Mcintyre.
No Al Wall-st. Glanvil S. Mcintyre, his part
ner, is a son of Assistant Dstrict-Attorney
John r Mcintyre. AIr Scott Is and al ways has
been a staunch Democrat. Before he came to
New York from the West, where he was brought
up. he judge of the United States District
Court in Oklahoma Territory.
Mr.. Scott told a Tribune reporter yesterday
that he was on his way from Cripple Creek
nj 70 citI in TI,1xy
Chicago for the purpose Of witnessing the Dem
ocratic National Convention as a spectator
only. There he met some of his Oklahoma
friends. to whom he was known a hustng
organizer. They had gone to the convention as
delegates One was the clerk of Judge Scott's
court and another connected with it as
United States Commissioner. One of these, who
was close to Bryan. informed the Nebraskan
now Mr.. Croker's intimate friend-that Scott
was in the city. Bryan and Scott had met sew
eral times and spoken from the same platforms
in the West, and when Bryan heard that Scott
was in Chicago he said he wanted to him.
Bryan was told where Scott staying and
called at Scotts hotel, but Scott was not in
Their mutual friend met Scott later on that
evening and told him that Bryan wished to see
him. The convention opened next morning and
Mr. Scott, borrowing a pass from one Of the
Oklahoma delegates, went the floor of the
BRYAN UNFoLDs HIS SCHEME
Bryan then and there unfolded to Scott his
ambitions to capture the nomination, saying
that he did not know why he should not have a
show for it as well any one else, and adding
that he thought the chances for creating a
stampede of the convention were excellent If
the right kind Of could be got to engineer
the movement and start the thing going Bryan
said he knew Scott could do effective work along
this line If he chose and wound up by asking
Scott to aid him. Scott said he would do so If
Bryan would put him in communication with
his friends. Bryan said his headquarters were
at the Clifton House. and sent Scott there to
meet his friends 1t was surprise to Scott that
Bryan had headquarters. That same night
Scott Bryan's friends at headquarters in
the Clifton House, and held long consultation
as to ways and Mr.. Scott urged that
as necessary preliminary no stone should be
left unturned to secure the seating of MIR. Bry-
ans contesting delegation from Nebraska This
was done, and resulted in victory. 1t was
then arranged, Mr.. Scott says. that Bryan
should enter the convention hall in as dramatic
a style as possible, and that this should be the
signal for the claque to make its first demon
stration.
Bryan acted his part we'll He entered the hall
with big Nebraska banner over his shoulder
and leading the successful delegation. His head
held high. his eyes flashed, his chest heaved
his step slow and stately. Instead of march
ing to their seats by way of the main aisle and
by the nearest way from the back of the hail.
Bryan led his men across the front or MS pat
form. in front of the chairman, and then down
the main aisle to the seats vacated by the de-
feated delegation. The claque, led by Scott
and few others. yelled with all their might
They were well distributed about the hall. The
applause came from many points that 1t bore
no evidence of being concerted. The crowd or
onlookers, waiting for some excitement, joined
in. Bryan bowed. Many delegates who had
never heard OF him asked who he was
THE cLAoUE STRENGTHENED.
That night there was another consultation at
Bryan headquarters between Scott and Bryan S
friends. Plans were laid for bigger demon
stration when Bryan should speak to the reso-
lutions. The claque strengthened. and eacn
man was instructed to keep his eye on Bryan all
day long SO that every time the Nebraskan
rose to his feet a round Of applause should
greet him. It was arranged that Bryan should
utilize every possible opportunity to walk about
show himself. speak. raise point of order or
ANYTHING OF the kind, no matter how trivial
that would furnish any kind Of excuse for
brisk round of hand clapping. 1t was also man
aged that Bryan should close the debate on the
resolutions and Senator Jones, now chairman
of the Democratic National Committee. TO whom
had been allotted forty minutes to make mis-
81 eech was persuaded to transfer thirty-nve
Of them 10 Bryan, who otherwise, from his IN