The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1908-09-30
BY MARLEN z. PEW.


Special Correspondence to The Press
CHICAGO, Sept. 30.-William
Jennings Bryan's conduct of the
democratic campaign now raging,
considered even physiolOgically, is
Feat aordinary-almost be-
vond belief
After having travelled with him In
his special car for a week, being
within sight of him from breakfast
until bedtime daily, come to sum
up the experience with continued
amazement and feeling that | have
seen a man enact the impossible.
In previous campaigns l have
spent days with Bryan, and have
marveled at his endurance and the
energy that seemed never to lapse.
But now his activity amounts al
most to violence, speaking physio-
logically, of course. Can he con-
tinue 1t with safety to health? He
believes he can, and his close
friends say he will l wonder.
For another month the candidate
must stand firm and possessed in
the channel of the shrieking mael-
strom, progressive responsibilities
calling for increased strength.
For Mr.. Bryan Is the democratic
campaign. All that it Is he is, and
all that he is it is. If he wins it
will have been his fight from Den
Yer to Washington, and by reason
of this 1t will be a greater per.
sonal triumph than has ever been
won by an aspirant to the presiden-
tial office.
Come along for a week and see
for yourself! We shall discuss
merely what / saw. five weeks be-
fore election. 1t is a. M, and the
private car, attached to a regular
express, is scudding through New
York state. Mr.. Bryan comes to
breakfast. seated with Robert Rose,
his secretary; Governor Jennings
of Florida, his cousin, and personal
aid and six newspaper reporters. 1t
was last midnight when he came
aboard the car, after day of typ
ical hardship. But he appears fresh.
His safety razor has mown the face.
His blue eyes are bright. He is
ready for his cantaloup.
Good morning. gentlemen. Are
we all here and well this morning?
Is your hand less painful today, Mr..
Nevins? addressing the United
Press representative, who had suf-
fered an injury. What have the
morning papers?'
And so the day begins.
We come to a small town and 100
people aer at the station, cheering.
Mr.. Bryan drops his napkin and
hastens to the rear platform. The
reporters know that the 200 or 500
words that the candidate will speak
happens, be the text of the ad-
dresses for this day. 1t may be an
idea that came while Mr.. Bryan
was shaving. 1t may be in his men,
tai schedule. But never does he
make the same speech twice. as
Roosevelt, Parker, Cleveland, and,
in fact. most candidates have done.
Bryan often uses identical phrases
In discussing the issues, but N
every speech, from the five minute
talk to the two and one-haif hour
GRAFTON, there are new ideas. new
stories and fresh words to express
the meaning.
Now he returns to finish eating
his fruit, but before the cereal has
been consumed he stops to address
another crowd, and though the
chops are growing cold he remains
upon the platform to shake hands
with those who wish to meet him
and wave n farewell.
Early In the morning the local
committeeman from the larger city
ahead board the car and pump
handle the candidate right and left.
uty Tell Hlll tuclT SOITOWS, joys
and hopes and plans. The candi-
date for a state or municipal job
may side up and try to whisper his
troubles into Mr.. Bryans ear One
red nosed gentleman was heard to
say:
I'm out for sheriff, colonel, and
II you'll mention my name couple
of times in your speech tonight
you'll elect me-"
Local faction leaders sometimes
carry their quarrels into the car
and would fight for q position on
the platform or to introduce the
next president" II strong armed
Mr.. Rose We're not present to com.
pei order The candidate sees much
of the detestable characteristics of
the selfish and ignorant little office
hunter, but he also meets many sin.
!. cere and pleasant people. He ig-
nores the unpleasant and accepts
the agreeable, never complaining
and ever appreciativc Of courtesies
shown him.
Sitting on the side of his bed In
III A..s