The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-08-28
Several Thousand People Unable
to Gain Admission.
SPEECH IN TWO PARTS
Read the Bank Deposit Part
Spoke the Other.
He Discusses Kansas Republican
Bank Plank.

Before one of the largest audiences
zhich ever assembled in the Topeka
Auditorium. William Jennings Bryan
on Thursday night delivered his cam
paign address on the bank deposit
guarantee plan as proposed by the
Democratic party.
Whatever the capacity of the Auol-
torium may be. that was the size OF the
crowd which Bryan addressed Ihurs-
:, day night. Not only were the seats
filled. and the stage filled, but the peo-
pie stood up as thick as they could be
packed into the aisles and lobbies. The
seating capacity Of the Auditorium Is
1000. There were probably about $500
people in the Auditorium.
Besides this immense and inspiring
audience. there was crowd of several
thousand people standing out in front
OF the building who could not gain ad-
mission This crowd was addressed
during the evening by Chairman Theo-
dore A. Bell of the Democratic national
convention, and Frank Herring,
young Indiana Democrat who has sew
eral times been a candidate for con-
gress in that state. Mr.. Bryan taxes
these two spellbinders along with him
for the purpose of soeaking to over
flow meetings. After Mr.. Bryan con-
cluded his speech In the Auditorium,
he went outside and addressed the
overflow meeting himself.
The crowd in the Auditorium made
the most Of every opportunity to be en-
thusiastic. ALI Bryan had to do was
to throw a little extra emphasis into
his voice, and he had response which
sometimes was much prolonged. But
on the whole, Bryan's speech was not
one of the kind which is known as a
H.l1
figures and facts, but did not abound
in soul-stirring climaxes.
One thing which was rather i'm
pressive was the fact that Bryan is
getting old, and shows it. He is not
the same sort of Bryan who was
the bald spot on top of his head
broader, but his build and bearing has
changed. He is "puffier," and looks
as though he is carrying considerable
surplus weight. And when he puts on
his spectacles, and reads he looks
like a somewhat ancient school teach
er. His articulation, too, while still
clear and careful, is getting to be the
articulation OF an old man. 1t Is high
ly probably that this is Bryan's last
chance at the presidency.
The big audience in the auditorium
commenced to assemble early in the
evening. BY 1880 the hall was filed.
and still the people came. The crowd
was entertained with music by Mar
shalrs band, the Modocs and the big
pipe organ.
When Bryan entered the hall from
a rear stage entrance at s:15 there
was a demonstration lasting several
minutes. Everybody stood up and the
Democrats yelled and waved flags.
]. D. Botkin, candidate for governor,
was introduced as temporary chair
man. In Introducing Henderson Mar
sfw A. ot,.t L, n
From every county in this great
state comes reports that Democrats
are active as never before Our great
army needs general and We have
him in the person of Honorable Hen
derson s. Martin. I propose to obey
the state will do likewise. 1 now take
pleasure in introducing to you your
permanent chairman who will preside
at the meeting"
Mr.. Martin stepped forward and a
cheer went up. When the audience
-, IT would like to make a speech, but
Governor Botkin has referred to me
as a general. A general ought to be
silent. You know what is my pleasure
when I have the privilege-''
Mr.. Martin was going to say "Of in
Producing that peerless statesman, w.
J. Bryan" or something to that effect,
but as Mr.. Bryan arose and stepped
forward to the table, and poured out a
glass of water, such a pandemonium
broke loose that Martin never finished
his remark. People cheered and ap-
plauded for long time.
"Our next president"
"Hurrah for Bryant
"Victoryi Victory"
These were some of the wild shouts
which arose from the audience.
Mr. Bryan finally was allowed to be-
rrfx, III eofd hot
tional committee had decided that he
should make a number of separate
speeches, each one on a different issue
He had decided to make one on the
bank deposit guaranty issue at To-
peka. He said he had prepared a
speech which he would read, and
would then deliver a few extern
poraneous remarks on the recent
meeting OF the Republican state party
council.
The extemporaneous remarks were
given to the newspapers in advance, of
course. They usually are.
Bryan then put on his glasses and
began. He read in a well-mo modulated,
not overload tone, but could be easily
heard all over the hall. The audience
stayed with him pretty well, in spite of
the heat. A few people got up and
left. but the seats vacated were quick
ly seized by the weary walters.
At the close of the speech, there was
a handshaking bee on the platform.
but Bryan didn't stay very long. He
went outside to address the overflow
4 meeting.
Mr. Bryan expected to leave at mid
night Thursday for Lincoln, but de-
cided to stay over until this morning,
30 that he could get more Sleep Had
he started at midnight he would have
had to stay up all night to make the
three changes of cars which the trip
Involves.
The Extemporaneous Part.
Upon the conclusion of his prepared
speech, Mr.. Bryan said: