Albuquerque morning journal., 1908-07-28
Commoner Joins Knights Of
Ak Sar Ben Organization Of
Nebraska Business Men,
Employs Substitute to Ride
Goat.
CANDIDATE CORDIALLY
GREETED IN HOME STATE
Delivers Happy Address at
Flag Raising Of Omaha Po-
IitiCaI Club Leaves for Lin
coin This Morning.
IBy Morning .Iaurnal sssalal IAnssa wItel

10y Morning journal sssaiAl 1@ased wIfe.l
Omaha, July 27--W. j. Bryan was
tonight admitted to the mysteries Of
the knights OF Ak-Sar- Ben, an order
composed of the business men of
Omaha and the state of Nebraska. A
large number Of Lincoln business men
came TO Omaha to witness and par
ticipate in the initiation Mr. Bryans
welcome on his return to Nebraska
from his trip to Chicago to meet the
democratic leaders was strictly non
partisan, but none the less cordial He
arrived here at 1 O'clock this after
noon and was met by committee
from the governing board of the
Knights of Ak-Sar-Ben and escorted to
the Omaha club, where luncheon was
served. At o'clock he was the
speaker al pole raising by the John
A. Creighton Democratic Marching
club At o'clock he was guest of
the Ak-Sar- Ben directors at dinner at
the Omaha club.
Here MIR. Bryan spoke briefly He
was followed by Congressman G. NJ
Hitchcock, publisher Of the Omaha
World-Herald; Mayor James c. Dahl
man and Victor Rosewater, republican
lnaIi0haI committeeman Tor Ne6Iaska
and proprietor Of the Omaha Bee.
The name OF the organization OF
which he was the guest Is the word
Nebraska. spelled backward. and Mr..
Bryan said Il appealed especially 10
him for his habitual backwardness
has been a matter of comment He
thanked his hosts for their invitation
to join their order, as Il would put him
in touch with the representatives OF
the business interests of the state, de-
claring that he had heretofore found
Il difficult to get within speaking dis
tance of the business men Of the
state
Mr., Rosewater, in his remarks, de-
clared that the greatest sources for
advertising for Nebraska In recent
years had been the distinguished guest
and the organization which was en-
tertainlng him. He raised laugh at
the expense OF Mr.. Bryan by relating
in facecious manner the story OF his
recent meeting in Chicago with Chair
man Hitchcock of the republican ma
tlonal committee.
Other guests at the dinner were the
newspaper reporters who accompanied
Mr., Bryan on his trip. and who will
remain with him during the cam
paign.
After the dinner the party was taken
In automobiles to the castle where Mr..
Bryan, with several hundred other
candidates, was invested with the hon
ors Of knlghthood according to the
rites of King Ak-Sar-Ben.
Very entertaining are the many fea-
lures of the initiation. including a
"battleship trip around the world
for the candidates. BY gracious per-
mission of his majesty, Mr.. Bryan
chose as his substitute for active par
ticipatlon in these rites Charles A. Cot
terel of the Washington office of the
Associated Press. and when his ini-
tiatlon was complete the latter ex-
pressed the opinion that he got all
that was coming" TO his distinguished
principal.
After the ceremonies were conclud-
ed Mr.. Bryan made brief speech. adj
dressing his hearers as his friends and
neighhors, and omlttlng polisisi stf-
erence
AT I o'clock this afternoon Mr..
/ Bryan and party we're taken to Twen-
ty-fourth and Leavenworth streets.
where the democratic leader was the
principal speaker at a democratic flag
raising The flag was raised on a lot
owned by w. ,. Conneii who was the
republican candidate defeated by Mr..
Bryan the first time the latter ran for
congress. Mr.. Connet was defeated
by large vote and year later Oma-
ha was placed In another congressional
district.
A large gathering greeted Mr.. Bryan
and he spoke at some length. Ap-
plause frequently punctuated his re-
marks. which we're iIalenod 10 BY an
attentive and appreelatlvo audience
In part he spoke ~ follows:
MIR. Chairman. Ladies' and Genlle-
men' This IL the first flag raising that
] have participated In during this cam
paign. and ! think It Is very pleasant
indication OF the era OF good feeling
that has so frequently been referred to-
that this flag ralslns Is upon ground
donated for the purpose by ny first
political opponent lApplause.l
"Mr Connell and ! were opposing
candidates for congress eighteen geafa
ago. Il was the flrsI office that ever
ran form earnest daughter and
applausel Let me explain the word
earnest Back IN Illinois / Vas q
candidate one time for trustee Of