Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-07-24
.A.keIcnsoa OF BRYAN
Tells Of BHan's Personalities and Now roll
tics Made Him Rich.

Old Orchard, Me-, July 21.-T. 4.
Kennard. wife and daughter, Lincoln
Nebraska" This entry on the hotel
register at the Aldine attracted the at
tention of the other guests at that no.
tel. Mr.. Kennard proved to be not
only a townsman. but near nelgnpor
Of the Democratic candidate Tor fresi-
dent
Mr.. Kennard is typical Nebraskan.
open hearted, frank and ready 10 TAX
up that topic He is rated among Ne
braska's prominent politicians, but he
happens to be of different faith than
his distinguished neighbor, Col. Bryan.
Mr.. Kennard has served in the State
Senate. and was for years secretary or
state. which office. under the old state
constitution, carried with it the title
of lieutenant governor. Four years
ago. he was sent to the st. Louis con-
vention as delegateat-large.
A reporter of the Times called on the
Nebraska guest, this evening, and ask
ed him what he considered were the
chance of Bryan's carrying Nebraska,
this fall.
II predict that Bryan won't be able.
this year, to carry his own precinct. his
own ward, his own city, or county or
Congressional district" said Mr.. Ken
nard. Whether he can carry the state
of Nebraska depends on what the
Middle-of-the Road Populists do. If
they put in the field an electoral ticket
of their own and push it, as | believe
will xynn'f his
own state. When ! left home. several
weeks ago. the feeling among the Pop
ulsts seemed to be antagonistic to
Bryan. DIR. Glenn Deaver of Omaha,
secretary of the Middle of the Road
Populist national committee is very
bitter against Bryan.
Last year, the Populists joined
drives with the Democrats and we
were beaten on the popular vote. but
the Republicans secured majority in
the Legislature. Four years ago.
Bryan. with a Fusion ticket. carried
the state by about 1900. Conditions
have changed greatly since then.
IF the Populists join with the Dem
ocrats, their chances will, in my Opin-
ion. be better than ours. for the popu-
lists practically hold the balance of
power. but even in case Of a fusion.
Mr.. Bryan could not expect II carry
the state by anything like his major
ity of four years ago.
There is not the least doubt that the
Republicans will carry Kansas, both
the Dakotas. Wyoming, Washington.
and, Of course, Oregon. The Demo
Gratis will carry Montana. Idaho. Utah.
and Colorado. They can get nothing
in the Northwest, except the silver
producing states"
Mr.. kennard was asked whether
There has been a change of sentiment
on the silver question in Nebraska
since the last Presidentian election
The silver question has lost cast in
our state" was his reply Just after
the close of the Cleveland administra-
ton there was great financial distress
throughout the country. and particu-
larry in the West. To thousands of
Nebraskans it looked as if they would
have to abandon their farms. Two
years of short crops. and the reign of
the national Democracy had brought
about that condition. In the midst of
this distress the question of free coin
age of silver came up and MANY
hpbtu az II III the nope 1nat money
would be more plentiful and the fnan-
cial skies would clear. 1t was case
of any port in a storm.
But now industrial conditions are
improved. the crop prospect is good
and the free silver fad isn't taking
hold in our state as it was in 1896
Looking at it from all sides. I think
Republican prospects are exceptionally
bright in Nebraska and the North
west"
Speaking of Bryan as townsman
and neishbor, Mr.. Kennard said: Per
Sonally and socially. | like him He
Is q good neighbor and a good citizen
but l don't admire his political iudg-
ment. He is not a man who personally
draws men to him. He is at his best in
any gathering where his uneXcelled elo-
cutionary powers can be exercised The
worst | can say of him is that he is
cgotistical In politics he is arbitrary.
superficial and. to some extent mar
row -minded-wedded to one idea. He
holds his own opinion to be absolutely
correct. and the other fellows opinion
always wrong
Bryan has grown rich out of his
nomination for the Presidency. When
ne was nominated, four years ago. he
wasn't worth more than $4,000. His
speechmaking and writing since then
have paid him so we'll that. today he
is rated in his own city as worth $780,
900. His lecture tours brought him
large returns. and at every county fair
and cattle show where he has been the
drawing card his stipend has been an
even half of the gate receipts.
Whether he wins the Presidency or
not. his fortune is made. l don't he
leve he cares as much about the Is to
| plank as he pretends. but he was de-
termined to have it inserted in the plat
FORM this year. in the hope of holding
the free silverites and Populists of the
Western country. Portland Press.