The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1902-03-14
A Country Editor He Entertained the
New York Press Club at Its
Spring Smoker.


self as "a country editor from the plains"
was the guest Of honor at the Press clubs
spring smoker last night, and for half an
hour he amused his fellow newspaper
men with funny stories and Incidental
references to his political past and future.
He began with a story apropos Of the
declaration that be had defeated him
self by talking too much:
"I-didn't tell this story in the cam
paign," he said. "A man died 10 a town
and DO one knew him. They took him
to the mOrgue, where young man came
and said it was his father. He ordered
handsome funeral. The undertaken
put the body in readiness for a fine
burial, and when all was prepared the
son came in to take farewell look. Just
then the corpse's mouth fell open and a
set Of false teeth rOoled out. It's not
my father cried the young man, and re-
fused to pay for the funeral.
The indignant undertaken protested,
/ but it was DO use. He pulled the body
out of the upholstered coffin, remarking
angrily: You idiot, you might have had
a glorious burial il you'd only kept your
mouth shut Well, that story doesn't
hurt my feelings now. I'm used to it."
Story No. 2-"My mouth has been a
subject for criticism ever since I entered
politics. When 1 look in the glass L fesl
there is room for criticism. / spoke
during the campaign in a little Illinois
town. In front of me sat a man rigidly
attentive. He drank in every word 1
said; think he had drank in something
else besides. When finished he came
up and wrung my hand. Mr.. Bryan,
/ be said, you are wonderful, wonderful.
/ You are the first man 1 ever saw whose
back teeth 1 could see all the time he
was speaking"
Story No. 81 enjoy the cartoons,
even though they are at my expense.
There was one enjoyed best Of all. 1t
appeared just after the Kansas City
convention. 1t represented me as a
/ topper standing in state Of utter intoxica-
ton IN front Of a gin mill, a bottle in
my hand labelled 16 to l. David B.
Hill was represented as a little girl with
braided hair down his back, Juggling at
my coat-tails and pleading: Father, Dear
Father, Come Home With Ne Now "
Story No. Back in 1883 I took part
in my first campaign In the 50 speeches
1 made I explained as well as I could
the reason why I thought the republican
candidate for governor should not be
/ elected. 1 went more into detail than
do now. After the election and the re
publican candidate had been elected by
. 900 majority, 1 felt that the governor
elect must feel q little hard toward me
for the part had taken against him.
Il felt nervous every time was 10 his
presence. 1 expected him TO reprOach
me. A few months afterwards We were
on the same platform and 1 was all ire
pidation. 1t was 6 mixed programme
and the governor introduced the speak
ers. When il came my turn a man whis-
pered, w. J. Bryan next He said: i
introduce ". J. Bryan Then as I step
ped forward he detained me by holding
out his hand. was greatly sgitsted,
remembering how had antsgonized
him He said: "Beg'pardon, Mr. Bryan,
do you speak or siDg?'
Story No. Sd have had occasion sew
eral times to say that am not a candi-
date for any ONCE and have no plans for
any nomination whatever. 1 thought
had made the statement broad. A young
reporter came to me the other day 10 st.
Joseph and asked me the question over:
Do You mean to say that you would not
run for Office under any conditions what
ever, at any time during the rest of your
life? told him that was asking too
much. I said I won't give bond for
life he sent it out pretty accurately.
One editor has said Of that statement:
IF Bryan decides to give bond he viii
find plenty Of securities
Editor Bryan said he was only the
editor Of a country weekly.
81 am In the newspaper business" said
he, "but can't say that entered it vol
unfairly. There were some circum
stances that led to It. 1t is very con
genial It Is hard to compare it with
speaking. have had two opportunities
to speak and find that I failed to con-
vince the majority of the American PEG
pie Of the merit of my proposition. I
find writing the best"
He said be had DO feelings against
those who left the democratic party be
cause he was nominated He Believed
in controversy and free speech Not
even cartoons should be suppressed.
After praying for 40 years for 3 baby,
q Kansas City couple placed q small