The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-10-29
Mr.. Bryan and the Legacy.

Mr.. Bryan and the Legacy.
The fiduciary quality of the Hon. WILL
LIAM JENNINGS BRYAN is singularly re-
vealed in connection with the will Of the
late PHILo s. BENNETT Of Connecticut.
Mr.. BENNETT appears to have been an
intimate friend of the great orator, al
though it is well known that Mr.. BRYAN's
intellectual isolation does not ordinarily
admit OF intimacy. In fact, it is probable
that Mr.. BENNETT was the only intimate
friend he had, the only one to penetrate
the cold reserve with which the states
man habitually shields himself, and
attain to the priceless privilege OF psy-
chical contiguity.
Mr.. BENNETT was very amiable man,
an upright and successful man, not very
strong in the intellectuals, and, in a
modest way, a type OF plutocrat. He
conceived a great admiration for Mr..
BRYAN and in his supplemented fashion
sought to express his sentiments by
ma king him presents OF money. This
bad the desired effect. The astringent
smile of the statesman relaxed and he
warmed toward Mr.. BENNETT, so that
the latter may even be said to have
basked in the sunshine of O fictitious
geniality.
Mr.. BENNETT was invited to the states
mans Nebraska home, and there he
underwent a sufficiently assiduous culti-
walton to develop his devotion into some
thing practical. All the details of his
domesticity were poured into the SYM
pathetic and receptive ear of his brilliant
friend, the foe of the money power. and
it came about in the most natural way in
the world that he sought the great mans
guidance and assistance in making a
final disposition of his worldly goods.
Mr.. WILLIAM JENNINGS BRYAN drew up
Mr. PHILo S. BENEFITS last will and
testament for him.
Moderation is the distinguishing note
in Mr.. BRYAN's character. Mr.. BENNETT
left only part Of his fortune to Mr..
BRYAN's family. There was another
feature of the will, however, which served
to draw public attention to it in very
marked degree and without which it is
doubtful il Mr.. BRYAN's proficiency in the
matter of legaoies would ever have been
properly appreciated. This was clause
referring to sealed letter which was to
be opened by the widow and which en-
Joined on her certain duty and obliga-
ton, to wit: to pay over 350,0O0 to Will
LIAM JENNINGS BRYAN himself. There
are all sorts of time honored objections
to lawyers drawing up wills for their
friends or clients by which wills they are
themselves to become the beneficiaries.
Mr.. BRYAN, as lawyer, was aware Of
this, and his way to get around it was to
have the testator sign a separate instru-
ment or letter Of instruction, referring
duly to the same in his will. Thereby
he proposed to vindicate his delicacy as
a lawyer versed in the ethics Of his pro-
fession as we'll as show himself, in case
of inquiry or comment, to be man of a
nice conscientiousness.
True as he always is to his instincts as
the foe Of plutocracy, Mr.. BRYAN's cal
culations we're all upset by an untoward
and unforeseen occurrence The be-
reaved lady to whom his sealed letter was
addressed repudiated IL and refused to
be bound by its injunctions. The whole
affair was precipitated into the courts; a
most distressing publicity ensued. and
Mr.. BRYAN allowed himself to be betrayed
into writing an outburst Of personal
frankness to the widow which she did not
choose to regard as confidential, and
which her lawyer, with undisguised bru-
tality, promptly spread upon the judicial
records. Unfortunate az the whole cpl
sode has been and painful as an example
Of growing disregard on the part of
legatees for the wishes Of testatOrs, it is
safe to say that the plutoorats can get
no comfort out Of it. The pursuit of
them by the foes of wealth will 60 on
undated.
BY the bye, in the proceedings in the
Connecticut court it was variously
brought out that Il certain generous sum
of money had been provided and set
aside for the purpose Of distinguishing
by library, or other memorial structure.
the birthplace of WILLIAM JENNINGS
BRYAN A literally endowed sly would
seem to fill the bill.