Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1906-07-05
ROOSEVELT
IS INVITED
PRESIDENT ASKED TO PRESIDE
AT RECEPTION TO BE GIVEN
w. j. BRYAN

w. j. BRYAN
TALKS OF NOMINATION
Nebraskan in Interview at London
Says He May Not Even Be Candi-
date-DecIares Race Among Demo-
cratic Aspirants Should be Kept
open-Glad to Return to America.
New York, July 4.-William Hoge,
president of the Commercial Travellers
Antitrust league, today sent letter
to President Roosevelt inviting Roose-
welt to preside at the reception tender
ed William j. Bryan upon his arrival
from Europe in September. Hoge ex-
planned in his letter that the league is
not democratic nor a partisan organ
ization in any sense.
Bryan in London.
London, July 4.-William ]. Bryan
and Mrs. Bryan arrived from Norway
late yesterday afternoon. They landed
at Newcastle yesterday and remained
there over the day, Mr.. Bryan desiring
a chance to quietly complete some
writing. On arriving here Mr.. Bryan
went to the Hotel Cecil, where he was
besieged by callers. John Burns, Will
liam L. Stead and Mrs. Stead came
early in the evening and paid an ex-
tended visit. Messrs. Bryan, Burns
and Stead engaged in an animated dis
cussion Of economics and Of the social
and labor questions. Mr.. Bryan re-
ceived great mass of American mail.
When he had finished reading his let
ters he received deputation Of news
paper correspondents and dictated the
following statement:
VIII Not Prosecute.
"The first suggestion of a reception
for me at New York came prior to
the action of any of the state conven-
tions and before there was any discus
sion of the next campaign. 1t came
from the Commercial Travellers
league, of which Mr. Hogue is presi.
dent I assured him should be pleas
ed to meet the members of the league,
suggesting that the reception be char
acterized by simplicity. Now that the
actions of some of the state conven-
tions have raised question as to the
political significance of the reception,
am glad to say that it must not be
regarded in the light of an indorse-
ment for the presidential nomination.
While l appreciate the compliment
paid by the various state conventions,
do not regard their expressions as
binding upon them or upon the party
of their state. I shall not prosecute
them for breach of promise If they
transfer their affections to another;
will not, even publish their letters.
To allow the reception to be regarded
as an Endorsement would in the first
place be unjust to others who may be
candidates.
Other Claims Should Be Considered.
''I have seen the names of several
mentioned as possible candidates
among them Congressman Hearst Sen
ator Bailey and Governor Folk, who
have all rendered conspicuous service
to the party and the country, and their
claims should be considered. The par.
| ty is entitled to it's most available man
and the question of availability can not
be determined SO far in advance. Cir
cumstances and issues may strengthen
| the claims of some of the gentleme en-
mentioned, and the list should be an
open one until the time comes to
| choose.
II may add that it would not be just
to me to be put in the attitude Of an
nouncing my candidacy or admitting
the certainty of my being a candidate
1t is two years before the convention
meets, and am not willing to sit on a
stool and look pretty that long. pre-
fer to be in a position to say what
think ought to be said, write what
think ought to be written and do what
| | think ought to be done. | am advanc
ing in years and can not spare two
years out of my life just at this time
| Glad to Return.
II shall be glad to return to America
although every day of my trip has been
friends in America, and after l 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. Nc
Clellan was in London Mr.. Bryan said
he had not heard he was here. He ex
pressed his qualification that Mr. Nc
Clellan had escaped from the Salisbury
railroad wreck, and said he hoped tc
meet him.
Mr. Bryan will speak at the Ameri
can society dinner today
Mr.. and Mrs. Bryan will spend the
week end with Ambassador and Mrs
Reid at Wrest park and then will &c
to Italy, returning here July 90, when
Mr.. Bryan will attend the interparlia
mentary conference. Mr. and Mrs