New-York tribune., 1901-01-24
HOW BRYAN WAS INVITED.
PLETHORA OF GREATEST LIVING EN-
PoNENTs" OF DEMOCRATIC
MONETARY VIEWS.
[Br TELEGRAPH TO THE TR1BUxE.I ]

BY TELEGRAPH TRIBUNEl
Washington Jan. 23.-There is an interesting
story behind the invitation extended to William
Jennings Bryan to appear before the House
Committee Coinage. Weights and Measures
to exploit his peculiar financial views Two
days ago the invitation was telegraphed to Mr..
Bryan in good faith and respectful phraseOlogy.
and though the committee meets tomorrow no
response has been received from the peerless.
Pending before the committee are two bills,
each Of which is designed TO close the loophole
in the present sound money law that was
pointed out by Secretary Gage in the recent
campaign.
When these bills We're taken up for Considera-
tion by the committee at its last meeting up
rose Representative John F. Shafroth of Colo
rado rabid Bryanite, and demanded that the
Republican majority permit Mr.. Bryan to be
heard before there reported to the House
a bill which avowedly framed because the
Secretary Of the Treasury had declared in the
last campaign that if the Nehraskan were elected
President he could food the country with silver
by paying Government obligations in that coin.
William Jennings Bryan is the greatest living
exponent of the silver question. and if you Re
publicans are not afraid TO have him appear
before this committee and expound his views for
the enlightenment of the country you will wire
him an invitation to come here before you report
the bill" grandiloquenty exclaimed Mr.. Shat
roth shaking his fists threateningly at Chair
man SOuthard. of Ohio.
Mr. Clerk" calmly said Mr.. Southard. ad-
dressing that faciIe official, send telegram to
William Jennings Bryan. at Lincoln. Neb.' ask
ing him to appear before this committee on
January a. for the purpose of expounding his
currency views.
Wait a minute. deprecatingly exclaimed
Representative Jefferson NJ. Levy, a New-York
.bo that all
the best features in the gold currency law
passed by the last session of Congress were
stolen from him by the Republicans. IF you are
going to have a wild free silverite like Bryan to
appear before this committee 1 demand that you
also invite the greatest living Democratic ex-
ponent of sound money to come and preach the
real doctrine. / refer to the Hon. Perry Bel
mont Of New-York."
Very WELL" amiably assented Chairman
Southard. Mr.. Clerk. also extend an invitation
to the greatest living Democratic exponent of
sound money, the Hon Perry Belmont 10 ap-
pear before the committee at the time and for
the purpose stated"
Hold on there" excltedy screamed Repre-
sentative John Wesley Gaines. a Tennessee
Democrat, who is wildly cheered on the Repub-
lican side of the House every time he rises 10
speak "If you Republicans are not afraid TO
hear both sides OF this money question you viii
ask the I shall name to come before you.
I refer to the Hon. Perry Kinnard, OF Nashville,
who knows more about silver than does any
man alive. l demand. Mr.. Chairman. that you
invite the Hon. Perry Klnnard. OF Nashville.
Tenn. TO come before this committee 10 en-
tighten you Republicans and the country at
large the money issue"
Send a telegram TO Mr.. KnnHrd. the greatest
living exponent OF bimetallism. Mr.. Clerk" said
Mr. Southland. still in an accommodating mood.
"And now" said Chairman Southard. "if you
gentlemen Of the opposition have any other
greatest living exponents Of the Democratic
monetary doctrine whom you want 10 invite
please don't be backward. Give us the names
of all Of them, and I assure you they will be
summoned forthwith" But apparently the
three names mentioned exhausted the list OF
the greatest living exponents."
Whether Mr. Eryan either of the other two
invited will respond is not known. If Mr.
Bryan makes the excuse that he summoned
on too short notice to come, then another date
for hearing will be named in order TO accom-
modate him. Chairman Southard and the
other Republican members of the Committee on
Coinage. Weights and Measures are eager to
accommodate the Demo Pop" kickers though
they not unreasonably suggest that time would
be economical If the Demo Pops would agree
among themselves as to who is the greatest
living exponent, Of their financial theories and
then bring him forward. The question is as
10 whether that man is William Jennings Bryan
Perry Belmont or the Nashville dark horse. the
Hon. Perry KInnard.