The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-03-26
Corporations Must Be Re.
moved From Politics,
Nebraskan Says.
ATTACK ON HUGHES,
TAFT AND ROOSEVELT
Failure to Offer Definite Keynote
for Campaign Disappointing to
Many, but Popularity Of the
Western Statesman Is
Evidently Not
Lessened.

- EFORE a cheering croWd or o,Vuo
people. and beyond the reach OF
aamsssn aa %ans n1ps "to S"9 ths City aua,te
rum, William Jennings Bryan
delivered last night what he termed
compromise speech. which was mer-
ciless attack on the iniquities of the
Republican party and plea for gov
ernment by the masses. He spoke Tor
exactly two hours and thirty minutes.
In many respects the address was a
disappointment, for 1t lacked the hre,
the blood and enthusiasm which char-
acterized his earlier efforts in 1898.
when he was heralded as the Boy ora
tor from the West.
Mr.. Bryans' main theme was that the
influence OF the corporation must be
eliminated from politics.; that the trusts
must be curbed and shackled. ana
that the true principles of Jeffersonian
Democracy must be restored to the 1peo-y
pie.
Always respectful, the audience list
ened without being swept OFF Its feet.
When he came forward he was cheered
for thirty seconds, at other times the
applause was most spontaneous and
vigorous 1t was evident that part Of
the crowd became weary. for 1t drift
ed out The seats We're as quickly fll-
led up again.
Governors Tribute.
There were brief ceremonies before
Mr. Bryan yaunched into his speech. AS
he walked upon the stage the crowd
stood up and yelled. Lieutenant-Gover-
nor Ellyson, the master of the OCCASION.
presented Governor Swanson. who IN
troduced the Nebraskan and laid fino
tributes at his feet as man. as
Democrat and as faithful servent and
leader Of the people. With the state-
ment that I'VE believe he is worthy to
fill the high and exalted office of Presi-
dent Of the United State" Governor
Swanson-s voice was drowned in the
volume of sound which came from all
parts of the great structure.
Arriving here yesterday morning at
an early hour from Clifton Forge, Mr..
Bryan was met by Governor Swanson
and escorted to the Executive Mansion
for breakfast A few hours later he
visited the Capitol and held an infor-
nal reception, being presented TO mem
bers OF the General Assembly. whose
guest he was. From there he went to
the homo of Lieutenant-Governor ELY
son for luncheon, the afternoon being
spent without regard to any program.
Eyerywhere he was kindly and enthu-
siastically received. Mindful OF the
storm which had been raised in Vir-
ginia by reason of the effort to have
Senator Daniel excluded from the lise
of delegates to the National Democratic
Convention, Mr.. Bryan carefully re-
Trained from any verbal connection
with that incident, merely contentlng
himself with the statement that he and
the Senator had long been friends; that
they were friends to-day, and that he
hoped the friendship would be lasting.
Although it was expected that he
would disclaim hostility toward the
senior Senator. he skipped along with
out reference to 1t last night, filling in
the dull gaps with sharp probs at tho
political enemy.
What Leader Said.
Mr. Bryan showed the effects of a
hard campaign, He spoke slowly.
sometimes as il his words dragged.
There was not as much snap about It
as in former times, Indeed, he spoiled
the opportunity by talking to- the
Legislature and addressing The audi
ence, which he admitted was some-
What difficult.
But the charm OF his appeal to the
nobler side OF life and its aspirations
is fresh and strong, and the wonderful
power to inspire the public mind WIN
a love of civic Righteousness and ar
abhorrence of a government prosti.
tutod to private and sprdid ends, whieh
MIR. Bryan first Jmanfested In 1895, "