The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1908-05-26


convention off its feet and winning the
greatest prize in the gift of his party
by a single speech. 1t is our American
boast that in this land of opportunity
the humblest and the poorest may rise
to prominence and power. and the
quicker the rise, tie more it pleases our
rational pride There is something
strangely eloquent in the story of the
whispered Who is he" going the
rounds of the press gallery when an
orator was scoring the greatest person
al triumph ever recorded.
But just to keep the record straight,
it may be stated that it is hardly
fair to say that when Mr.. Bryan was
nominated for the presidency in 1896,
he was "ar obscure lawyer and writer.
Six years before his nomination for
the presidency he had been nominated
by the democrats as a candidate for
congress in what seemed to be nope
lessIy republican district In 1888 the
republican candidate had carried that
district by large plurality. In 1890 Mr.
Bryan carried that district by 500 plu-
rality. although he had a populist OPP
ponent WlO received 1906 votes. 1t IS
admitted in Nebraska that this result
was largely due to the fact that MI.
Bryan ana his opponent engaged in
Joint debate While the republican can
didate was an able and resourceful
LAWYER and had committed himself to
some Of the reforms Their growing in
popular favor. Mr.. Bryan plainly won
the honors in u debate noted alike fer
its vigor ana good humor.
In 1892 Mr. Bfyan was reelected. al
though his congressional district had
been rearranged, leaving it composed
largely OF republican counties.
During his first term-on March 16.
fS92-Mr. Bryan made his great tarltt
speech in the house of representatives.
And on that OccHsion-as will here
after be shown by witnesses that may
not be said to nc partisans If the Ne
braskan-he became Il national figure.
Those who had the privilege of hear
ing that speech will not forget it; nor
will they fail to remember tie stirring
scenes enacted 1t its close. Bryan be-
gan his address at $50 o'clock in the
afternoon and closed at $50.
over the report Of that speech the
New York World carried the following
headlines:
Bryan Downed Them AL
"Nebraska's Young Congressman
Scores Triumph in the House.
His Maiden Speech a Brilliant Plea
for Tariff Reform.
Mr.. Raines, of New York, ana
Messrs. Mckennl and Lind Interrupt
Him with Questions and are Silenccd
by Sharp Replies.
l-GNIOGI - n.y.
rlaud the Orator. and His Speech is
the Talk of Washington.
The World said: when Speaker
/ Crisp appointed MI Bryan OF Nebras-
ka one of the committee on ways ana
means. some CRITICISM was made on
the ground that he was Il new member
and Inexperienced in tariff legislation.
/ But Mr.. Bryan. today in a three hours
| speech, made the biggest hit of the de
bate and confirmed the speakers
judgment of his ability. No more
dramatic speech has been delivered at
! this session. Mr.. Bryan las the clear
cut features of the Randall type. He
spoke without notes. and his baritone
voice made the chamber ring. The re-
Iublicans sought to take advantage OF
! his ineXperience N congress by inter-
would have puzzled much older heads.
! But MI Bryan frightened under this
friction and forced one republican aft
ter arot..er into his seat. Old cam
paignsFs Of the Reed school. like Raines
Of New York. and McKenna Of Gallo
fornia. found the young Nebraskan
more than their match. A lawyer by
profession, Mr. Bryan argued his case
with dramatic directness that aroused
not only the enthusiasm of the demo-
Gratis, but won the applause of the
galleries. When Mr. Bryan finished. the
galleries aplauded for fully five min
utes. the democrats and republicans
gathered about him and shook his hand
warmly. This speech has been a reve-
lation. No new member has received
such an ovation in years Mr.. Bryan's
speech was the tall. of the town to-
night
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