Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-09-18
| BRYAN IN SOUTHLAND
Meeting at Greensboro Changed
to a Memorial.
FOR DEATH OF DR.. NEWER
Wonderfully Impressive Grafton for
Old Friend.
GIVES NON-PARTISAN TALKS
Placing influence Above Plane Of Pol
itics-23 Incident at Hotel
Wife's Reception.
Special From a STAR Correspondent.

Special From a stan Correspondent.
GREENSBORO, N. c., September 49,
The political character of the tour of Mr..
William Jennings Bryan was suddenly
changed an hour before his special train
reached Greensboro last evening. DR..
Charles D. McIver, founder and president
Of the State Normal and Industrial College,
who first invited Mr.. Bryan to this state
twelve years ago, and who had been one
of his most influential supporters ever
since, died on the train He had apparently
been in perfect health up to a short time
before he complained of indigestion and
fell lifeless in his seat.
Dr. McIver was one Of the men who in
fluenced the North Carolina delegation to
the convention Of 1896 to declare for Bryan
for the presidency before he had made his
famous Grown of Thorns speech, and be-
fore any other state except Nebraska had
expressed a preference for the commoner.
1t was at DR.. McIver's college that Mr.
Bryan made his first address in this state
and in distributing the Bennett fund Mrs.
Bryan selected his college here for one of
the scholarships The doctor joined the
party here to make the tour of the state,
and before leaving he ordered flowers to be
presented to Mrs. Bryan at the depot when
the train returned to Greensboro. His gift
was taken to her an hour after his DEATH
All arrangements had been made for a
political meeting here last evening, and
most of those who assembled expected to
hear Mr.. Bryan deliver a. campaign speech.
The meeting was made a memorial serv-
ice, and Mr.. Bryan spoke on the life and
work of DR.. Mc1ver. 1t was a .Wonder-
fully impressive Grafton, in which the ora
tor declared that while he had as a boy
been ambitious for public Office, he had
come to the conclusion that a life like that
OF DR.. Mclver was more to be desired than
any office of all the riches OF a Rockefel-
Ter. The address was probably one of the
most impressive Mr.. Bryan has ever de-
declared in short and ringing speech
that while the people of North Carolina
had known his policies, they now knew his
heart.
he is giving what he calls his "non-parti-
san talks dealing with the idea of polit-
ical reform generally, and comparing con-
ditions in this country with those of other
lands he has visited, to show the uplifting
tendencies Of Christianity.
Bryan's Personality.
These talks are doing much to place his
influence above the plane of mere politics
and to further cement the support of people
VI dis political propaganda,
This tendency is shown among many men
prominent in the state. They do not hesi-
tate to declare that they see nothing to ap-
prove in Mr.. Bryan's advocacy of govern
ment ownership Of railroads, and say the
discussion of such ownership will survive
only few months.
They positively declare that the North
Carolina delegation will be against the in
corporation Of any reference to govern
ment ownership in the next national plat
form of the democratic party.
1t is doubtful whether Mr.. Bryan's hold
on the people of the state has been weak
ened because of their disapproval of his
new idea he has projected into the cam
patgn. His popularity seems to be based
on his personality and on general principles.
Men who refused to vote for him in 1895
and in 1900 are now serving on his recep-
ton committees. A BILE instance is that
Of Col. Charles E. johnson, banker and
business man of Raleigh, who is accom-
panying him through the state. Both Sena-
tor Simmons and Senator Overman, who
with him, thoroughly oppose any sug-
gestion of government ownership of rail-
roads.
It is a curious fact that has been over
looked in the speeches made during this
tour of the state that Mr.. Bryan travelled
yesterday and today over a railroad that
belonged to the state of North Carolina.
These lines are operated by the Southern
railroad, the state being induced to lease
them to the Southern on terms far more
favorable than could be attained by state
operation. The state built and owns the
road between Goldsboro and Charlotte
and between Goldsboro and Morehead City
These lines comprise about $50 miles of
roadbed. The state was offered 5000 900
of preferred stock paying per cent for
Its holdings. at about $50 per share and
the stock Is now worth double that amount
The dividends are more than enough to
the state. the market value being more
than sufficient to pay off the state debt.
This record, according to the views of
many people here. does not contribute to
the policy of trying 1t again. At any rate
the facts are reserved for private CONVERSE
ton rather than for public discussion.
When Mr. Bryan returned to his hotel
last evening it was found that he had been
assigned to room %, and while the room
was the most desirable in the house. the
clerks were inclined to be apologize.
Mrs. Bryan Feature of Tour.
The presence of Mrs. Bryan on the tour
through the south adds an interesting fea-
ture to the campaign. For the first time
she is meeting the southern people and
everywhere she is accorded unusual atten-
>ton. She has been in North Carolina be-
fore, but has never had SO good an oppor-
tunity toseecome acquainted with the fam
lilies of practically all the political leaders
Of the south. Mrs. Bryan was graduated
In law just before her marriage and Mr..
Bryan is constantly being ngratulated
upon having good lawyer in his family.
It Is Question whether Mr.. or Mrs.
Bryan will know the southern people, best
when their tour comes to a close.
Mr.. Bryan will hold one of his most i'm
portant meetings at Charlotte this evening
and tomorrow he will be in South Carolina
ana Will speak at Columbia. The prepara-
lions for street demonstrations and open-air
meetings has been interfered with by an
almost constant rain since the arrival of
the party.
Mr.. Bryan will speak at Atlanta on the
18th, at Birmingham on the 21st, jackson on
the I'D, New Orleans on the oath, Memphis
and Nashville on the 25th. Little Rock on
the 26th and he will be in the Indian Terri