The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-09-02
UNIQUE BRYAN
CAMP AIGN BUTTON
Gold Dollar Grated Upon a Silver
Quarter Inscribed 10 to
HAS AN INTERESTING HISTORY.
Mr.. Bryan Wore it On His Lapel for
Eleven Days-Iseports ReachWash-
ineton of the Serious Illness
dillon. William T. Wilson
HAS AN INTERESTING HISTORY.
(Snecial pisnatch to The Times. J

WASHINGTON, D. c., Sept. There
is in the possession of Mr.. Thomas LIE
Cuyer. of this city, unique Bryan cam
paign button, to which an interesting his
tory is attached. This button was one
design of many gotten out in the memorable
campaign of 1856. It is different from the
ordinary campaign button To an extent
it exempifies the 16 to l ratio, which was
the paramount issue of the Democratic
party and its leader. Mr.. Bryan, four years
ago. The button consists of a gold dollar
grated on a silver quarter, upon which is
inscribed the figures 16 to l.
While imperialism, ant-miitarism and
antf-trusts are the oyerpowering issues of
the present campaign from the Democratic
standpoint, it may be that the 16 to / issue
of which this button is enlbleynatic, may
not be entirely dead. although relesated
to the rear for the time being owing to
more important issues Of more recent date
referred to.
There is a little interesting history cor
nected with this campaign button of 1896
which undoubtedly will be of interest to
many loyal Democrats throughout the
country.
ITS HISTORY.
The button in question has been worn
on the lapel of the coat of William Jen-
nings Bryan. This button was presented
to the present owner. Mr.. LIE Cuyer, by
Mr. William Gross, of Lynn. Mass. Syho
is not only a manufacturer of national
reputation. but an enthusiastic, as well as
staunch supporter of the leader
of the Democracy. Mr.. Gross trains
with the Hon George f. Will
liams. the sometimes leader OF the
Democracy of the Bay State.
Until April 18th. 1887, Mr. Bryan never
knew that such campaign button had
aIr
had passed since he met defeat as can
dtdate of the Democratic party. On TINS
date. the anniversary Of the ni97hday OF
Thomas Jefferson. the founder of Demo-
crazy, a banquet was given IN ms city. at
the Metropolitan Hotel. in honor or VIZ.
Bryan 1t was under the auspices OF sHe
National Association of Democratic Giups.
After the good things necessary 10 the
comfort of the inner man had been dis
posed Of speeches were in order Mf-
BRYAN made an eloquent address others
followed. but when DR. ". J. Reisei, or
Washington, presented Mr. Bryan with the
is to l button--a gold dollar on shse,
uuarter-lt literally brought down tit
house. Mr.. Bryan accepted the gift WIZ.
a graceful but brief speech, ana II
examined by all present.
WORE IT a SHORT TIME
Colonel Bryan placed this button on III
lapel of his coat and wore II
eleven days. p,,oaI
a day or so after the banquet Dr.. fei ss
met Mr.. LIE Cuyer, from Whoii ta
former had borrowed the button w.
ne presented to Mr. Bryan at the oahd1e.
LIE Cuyer asked for the button anu :, -
Reigel replied that he mad pse ESQ.,. ma.
MrsRryan. Mr. lie Cuyer tnoushss thas
Dr. ReigeI had overstepped the bounds.
nerbans In presenting another mans
pronartv ~ third person. even though
that person was ". J. Bryan.
However. Mr.. LIE Cuyer wrote to Mr..
BRYAN that he valued the button. and
vh:le he was proud Of the fact that tho