The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-02-13
A TRIBUTE TO VIRGINIA
DEMOCRATIC LEADER AROUSED
MUCH ENTHUSIASM.
TWO RECEPTIONS FOLLOW THE SPEAKING
Bryan Declares the Situation in the East Much
improved He Says the Democratic
Party is in Better Condition
Than in Years.

Richmond, Va, Feb 12.-W. j. Bryan
reached here at $40 o'clock this morning
from Washington, escorted by joint
committee of the Virginia Legislature, he
having been invited to address that body.
The trip was made in the private car of
President Williams. of the Seaboard Air
Line system. Notwithstanding a steady
rain there was a crowd at the depot which
insisted upon shaking hands. Mr.. Bryan
was driven to the jefferson, where he
partoOk of breakfast with members OF
the committee. State Democratic Chair
man Ellyson and others
At 3 p IN. Mr.. Bryan addressed an au-
dience at the Academy of Music, made
UP of the members of the Legislature and
as many other persons as could possibly
get into the building. Admission to the
greater part of the house was lay ticket
and the demand for tickeTS was very
mach greater than the supp.v. The part
of the building that was thrown open 10
the public was quickly lille L. and many
people were unable TO obtain admission.
On the stage were many distinguished
Democrats including GoTrrn)r Tyler.
Hon J. Taylor EllySon, ChlTmal OF the
State Democratic Committee. Attorney
General Montague and others There
were many ladies in The audeuc".
The meeting was calel to ORDER 10y
State Senator Barksdalc. Chairman of
the Joint Legislative Committee On ilNi-
tation of Mr.. Bryan. anil the speaker
Of the afternoon was introduced hy Hon.
r. W. Saunders. speaker ct the House
of Delegates.
Mr. Bryan began with al eloquent
tribute to Virginia. as having been a
leader in all the great movements that
have taken place i'll THIS country. aloi
took occasion to eulOgize Robert II. Lee
and to compliment General F'itbhugh Lee.
the latter for his good management OF al
fairs at Havana just before the outbreak
of the war with Spain. He then defined
the duties of the legislator III view of
the character of his audience. as those of
Il servant and not the master of the peo-
pie he represents. and proceeded TO dis
cusS the income tax. the currency and
trust questions. and the Philippine prob
lem. his arguments ON all OF tlem being
those familiar to the reading public.
He aroused much enthusiasm at various
times. Particularly was his audience
demonstrative in applause when he eN-
pressed the hone that the British would
never get to Ladysmith. and when ne
pointed out the dangers of th@ uncheck
ed growth of the trust evil. His denun-
citation of the Administration with re-
spect to the F'ilipinos was also greatly
applauded.
At 6 o'clock this evening. Mr.. Bryan
and the legislative committee were enter
tanned at dinner by Hon. j. Taylor Eily-
son and this was followed by ii reception
at Mr.. Ellyscn's residence in honor OF
Mr.. Bryan.
From to 10 o'clock. at the Jefferson
Hotel. Mr.. Bryan held Il more genera
public meeting reception which was very
largely attended.
In an interview here today Mr.. Bryan
said he thought the Democratic party
was in better fighting trim than he haC
seen it in wears. He said the battle OF
1900 would be fought out on three Is
sues-money. imperialism and trusts. bu
he could not say which one would bt
brought more prominently to the front
He had found that the situation i'll th'
North and East was much improved
Many gold Democrats were coming bach
to the party and number of Republicans
would refuse to support the old party OF
account of its position ON expansion
Mr.. Bryan will leave here at ociocl
tomorrow morning for Raleigh. y. c.
where he speaks of tomorrow night.
He announced the following other en-
gagements:
Chapel Hill Wednesday. Feb. 14th.
Columbia $. c.. February 10Th.
Columbus Ga. February 22nd.
Atlanta. Ga. February 23rd.
Nashville Tenn. February oath.
Memphis. Tenn. February 25th.