The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-08-31
TRAVELLING MEN AND BRYAN.
Apostle of Hard Times Cannot Coun,
on Their support.
New York Sun.

The attempt OF the Bryanite managers
and organs to create the impression that
the commercial travellers OF the United
States are practically unanimous for the
Kansas City candidate. has encountered
a serious reverse, attended by somewhat
grotesuue circumstances.
About n fortnight ago the Dubuque
Herald reported visit paid TO Mr.. Bry-
an by a certain j. NJ Kern. travelling
salesman from Baltimore. Kern did his
best to make things pleasant for the emil
nent statesman. He gave him encourage
ment in mathematical form. For in
stance Kern is reported to have told
Bryan that he could count on the votes
OF not less than 3si of the 357 statesmen
employed on the road by the Baltimore
concern which Kern represents, while
only six OF these enterprising gentlemen
were for Mckinley. This statistical state
ment. he informed Mr.. Bryan. was based
on an actual vote by ballot taken at
dinner attended recently by the ssh
Passing 70 generalization. the enthu-
siastic Mr. Kern assured Mr.. Bryan that
Of the entire number OF commercial trav-
elers IN the United States Is per cent
could be depended upon 20 vote the Dem
ocratic ticket this year. IL Is true that
this IL somewhat smaller than the par
centage actually asccrtalned by Mr..
Kern In his own establishment. where
an. but Kern was giving a conservative
estimate of the total travelling vote, and
no doubt Mr.. Bryan found even the IS
per cent. very satisfactory and shook hts
informant's hand warmly as he bid him
good-by.
We now come 70 the second chapter Of
this pleasing little story. II is written
not by Kern, but by Henry r. New,
a prominent business man OF Baltimore
M n fa roW tia saerafarE ~ Ia paruhif.
can state central committee of Mary
land. Somebody out West heard OF Ketn's
communication TO Mr.. Bryan and wrote
90 the collector OF internal revenue at
Baltimore. asking him to look up the
facts. Collector Partlett turned over the
inquiry TO Mr.. New. who proceeded TO
throw the calcium light OF strict truth
upon the subject. in this fashion:
My position for many years as presi-
dent OF the Wholesale Grocers' Associa-
ton Of Maryland and vicinity enables me
70 get certain information which IL un-
questionable. ! can assure you that there
Is not house IN Baltimore that employs
357 sacsmsn on the road and inside, and
by the secretary OF the Commercial Trav-
elers' Protective Association ! mn Inform
number Of statesmen IN the city has only
forty statesmen on the road and about
the same number ~ statesmen. hpokkesp-
ers. clerks and boys on tho inside. This
house has IN rs employ one John NJ
Kern. travelling salesman, who 10 an
enthusiasts Democrat, but travels only
through tho eastern shore Of Maryland
and Virginia.
The statement that a dinner was re-
Gently held In Baltimore which was at
tended by the So statesmen cannot be trae-
ed or located. ard | am sure was pictured
By an enthusiast who was inspired by the
sight or presence % the great Is to
Bryan
rtfsfufn rqstaf AZ rifr awexstaa
me tha, they are almost unanimously Ia
favor % Mekiniey. Recent statements,
As published IN the daily .pres.. BY the
Hon. Lloyd Jackson, who four years ago
directed the campaign IN ths state for
Bryan, and hy sx-Mayor Davidson and
ex Mayor y. G. LAtr0he. who served ths
would this year support Mckinley. and
predict large raaforttiee. clearly Indicate
the drift Of the sentiment tn favor Of the
reelection Of Mckinley"
81 Is posnibis tia, Mr.. Kern has been
ruisrsp presented rs the Dubuque Herald
and the other Democratic journals % the
West which have helped 20 spre&d hts
alleged Representations IL ts possible
that IFS limited observations on thu east
ern shore have led him into too hasty
generalization. Again. q - possible that
me agile sense % hurnor which is not In
Frequently found in Eenslemen ef his par
tlcular calling has been exercised In Mr.
RrJan's presence and AZ Mr.. Bryan's ex-
pense il a manner which TIE most judi
cious mGst depI0rs. for nryRn- ~ least.
Is dead in earnest. and sntiiled to the
most respectful treatment b. ali his real
supporters
The commercial travellers of the United
states are too tnseiligen; a body % men.
and too deeply and directly concerned IN
the continuance Of the prosperity which
came with Mckinley and would 90 with