The daily sentinel., 1906-07-05
BRYAN MAKES STATEMENT.

Hon. William J. Bryan, the great
Democratic leader, has given out an
interesting statement as to his atti-
tion to be held in Madison Square,
New York City on his return from
his trip around the world.
Mr.. and Mrs. Bryan arrived in Lon
don from Norway Tuesday afternoon.
They landed at New Castle on Mon
day and remained there over night.
Mr.. Bryan desiring a chance to COM
plete some writing. Arriving in Lon
don the distinguished American and
his wife took apartments at the Ho-
tel Cecil and were soon besieged by
callers.
John Burns. William T. Stead and
Mrs. Stead came early in the evening
and paid an extended visit Messrs.
Bryan. Stead and Burns engaged in
an animated discussion of econom-
les and of the social and labor ques-
tions. Mr.. Bryan received a great
mass of American mail. When he
had finished reading his letters he re-
ceived a deputation of newspaper cor
respondents and dictated the follow
ing statement:
1.-The first suggestion of a recep-
tion for me at New York came prior
W bHt ttNLlOn VI any VI lht HNdlt NOh
ventions and before there was any
discussion of the next campaign. 1t
came from the Commercial Travellers
league, of which Mr.. Hoque is presi-
dent. / assured him l should be
pleased to meet the members of the
league, suggesting that the recep-
tion be characterized by simplicity.
Now that the actions of some of the
state conventions have raised ques-
tion of the political significance of
the reception / am glad to say that 1t
must not be regarded in the light of
an endorsement for the presidential
nomination. While I appreciate the
compliment paid by the various state
conventions l do not regard their ex-
pressions as binding upon them or
upon the party of their state. l shall
not prosecute them for breach of
promise If they transfer their affec-
tions to another; ! will not even pub
lish their letters; to allow the recep-
tion to be regarded as an endorse
ment would in the first place be un-
just to others who may be candidat-
es.
81 have seen the names of several
mentioned as possible candidates,
among them Congressman Hearst,
Senator Bailey and Governor Folk,
all of whom have rendered conspicu-
Gus service to the party and the coun-
try and their claims should be con-
sidered. The party is entitled to its
most available man, and the question
of availability cannot be determined
so far in advance. Circumstances and
issues may strengthen the claims of
some one of the gentlemen mention,
ed, and the list should be an open
one until the time comes to choose.
81 may add that 1t would not be
just to me to be put in the attitude
of announcing my candidacy or ad-
mitting the certainty of my being II
candidate. 1t is two years before the
convention meets and l am not will |
ing to sit on a stool and look pretty |
that long. l prefer to be In the posi-
tion to say what / think ought to be
said write what l think ought to be
written and do what think ought to
be done. l am advancing in years
and cannot spare two years out of my /
life at this time.
Il shall be glad to return to Ameri-
ca, although every day of my trip has
been enjoyable. l shall be glad to
meet my friends in America and after
have met them they will be just as
free as before to do what they think |
best on issues and candidates"
When told that Mayor George B. |
was in London Mr.. Bryan /
said he had not heard he was here. /
He expressed his qualification that |
Mr.. Mcclellan had escaped from the
wreck and said he hoped to
meet him.
Mr.. Bryan spoke last night at the |
American society dinner.
Mr.. and Mrs. Bryan will spend the
week with Ambassador and Mrs. |
Reid at West Park and then will go
to Italy, returning here July 23
when Mr.. Bryan will attend the in
terparliamentary conference. Mr.
and Mrs. Bryan will then make a
tour of Scotland, going thence to
L