The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-08-21
William Jennings Bryan Is in
Des Moines Today
TO Fire the Opening Gun in the
Third Battle.
SPEECH ON TARIFF
Will Be Delivered at Baseball
Park This Evening.
He and Gov. Cummins Exchange
Pleasantries at the Capitol.

Des Moines. Ia, Aug. 21.-william J.
Bryan reached Des Moines at $3.50 a
M, two hours behind the schedule time.
| Although he had worked far into the
night at Lincoln, preparing for his
| speaking tour, he slept we'll en- route
and stepped from the train at the Rock
Island station fresh and happy. He
| was met by a crowd of 1000 persons.
State Chairman Clint Price and other
Democratic leaders, took hizs immedi-
| ately into the Savoy hotel A crowd Of
Democrats was on hand and Mr.. Bryan
was forced to hold an impromptu re-
ception in the lobby.
When the jolly crowd was informed
by the press representatives with Mr..
Bryan that the famed leader of the
| Democracy had slept two hours on
hard seat in the Lincoln railway sta
tion while waiting for the belated
train that brought him to Des Moines,
the candidate became the subject Of
much merry jest He turned the jol-
lity to his advantage with the state
ment that he, of all his party alone
was able to lure sleep under such ad-
verse conditions. He declared it point
ed to an unusually clear and confident
| mind and a conscience entirely free.
Mr.. Bryan's programme here per-
be called upon to meet hundreds of
his partisans at the Savoy hotel this
| afternoon in public reception. Hosts
| have come in from all over the state
| to meet the candidate. Reduced rates
for the Iowa state fair, which opened
| yesterday, proved an added induce
ment and fully 5000 persons from out
| of town are expected to attend the
| two big meetings to be held this even
! ing. .-.--..
Council of Democrats.
| This afternoon there was a council
| Of the Iowa Democratic leaders, which
Mr.. Bryan attended, the purpose be-
| ing to plan the campaign in this state.
This evening Mr.. Bryan enters actual
| ly into the campaign with his speech
on the tariff which sets forth his
views on that great issue and which
will be his answer to those who have
| criticized his attitude. The principal
meeting will be held in the baseball
park. Fifteen thousand. persons can
| be accommodated. An overflow meet
ing will be held in the auditorium.
The arrangements for Mr.. Bryan's
reception during the day were entiro-
bile ride, Mr.. Bryan and his party
| we're conveyed to the state capitol
where the Democratic standard bear
er called upon Governor A. B. Cum
minis in the executive chambers. Gov
| ernor Cumn1ins had not been informed
of Mr.. Bryan's purpose to call upon
! him, but greeted his visitor with
marked cordiality. For ten minutes
enjoyment of their small audience.
| You are looking well, Mr.. Bryan,
and capable Of the large work before
you," was the way Governor Cummins
opened the conversation.
| perhaps you mean fit, not capable"
replied the Democratic nominee
Complimented by Cummins.
Governor Cummins referred to Mr..
Bryan's speaking qualities. Elm 1894"
said the governor, when I first heard
you speak, 1 thought you had the fin
est voice I ever heard
THAT was the first time you heard
| me-" was the Nebraskan's remark. ut
is very fine compliment" he said.
but don't like the way you Republi-
cans always pass compliments on my
| physical qualifications
Governor Cummins insisted that Mr.
Bryan impaired his voice in 1895, but
protested that he had not given him
| time to finish.
'I was coming to that" the COVER
nor said. "but I mentioned the most
marked characteristic first
THAT does not help matters much
| to call it the most marked character
istic,'" quickly interjected Mr.. Bryan,
who added:
Governor, you are a good talker
yourself"
The two men talked further regard
ing the value of a good voice in a cam
paign.
''If you have good voice." said the
governor. "it does not make much diff
ference what you have in your head.
Another important thing Is good
stomach"
The conversation then turned in an
other direction and Governor Cum
minis complimented Mr. Bryan for
having done a whole LOT of QOOd OJIf-
side of the things he stood for.
"I don't admit that about myself"
said Mr. Bryan, because 1 won't ad-
NIT it about anybody else.'
The senatorial fight which Governor
Cummins is making was alluded to by
Mr.. Bryan, but Governor Cummins as
serted that a man may enjoy a fight
"It is different proposition, how
ever, to fight your friends as well as
your enemies" he said.
nor" remarked Mr.. Bryan with a smile,
land one fight at a time won't keep
you busy"
Turning to Father John F. Nugent,
of Des Moines, one of the reception
committee, Governor Cummins asked
him If he was still a Democrat.
Finds a Cummins Democrat.
II am Cummins' Democrat" replied
the learned prelate at which Mr.. Bryan
urged the governor not to press the
priest too hard.
Governor Cummins believed that
ones personality was an important fac
tor to a campaign.
Reverting to the question of political
fights Governor Cummins remarked
that Senator LaFollette was growing
fat on them.
THAT is because he drinks so much
milk" commented Mr.. Bryan.