The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-08-27
REPUBLICANS HAVE BEEN IN POWER UNTIL
 PARTY IS CORRUPT
Bryan Emphasizes the Recent State ment Made by Taft In Virginia ana Turns the Application To the Present Admin
 istraton.

Salem, H., August 26.-No crowd of equal size or enthusiasm ever turned out in this city, the birthplace of Will liam J. Bryan, as did that of today, when the democratic candidate stopped over to greet his old friends and neigh bors The whole population was up and on hand early to extend hearty welcome when MT. Bryan reached here at 6:30 o'clock in the morning. They were augmented later in the day by thousands who came in on special trains
 The principal event of the day was a speech by Mr. Bryan from platform in the court house grounds, in which he appealed to the Roosevelt republi- cans" to support the democratic ticket. because, he said they could not hope for a realization of the promised r. forms of cir party. MT. Taft he said, was not the heir to republican re- forms.
 During the day MT. Bryan divided most of his time with the Bryan and Jennings branches of his family. After luncheon he rode out to the cemetery and placed flowers on the graves of his parents and on his way back to the city inspected the ne wBryan- Bennett library presented by himself and the late Philo S. Bennett of Connecticut The building cost s35OO, of which MT. Bryan contributed s2OOO. He also do- mated the site, which is the spot on which the house in which he was born was located.
 Several thousand of the citizens of Salem and visitors shook the candi- dates hand. He held receptions at the court house, hotel and railroad station, where the people fought their way to get near him.
 While Mir. Bryan was talking the crowd made up a purse of $500 and handed 1t to him as campaign contri- button. A check for $100 was also given by a man from Clinton county. Preceding MT. Bryan's remarks Theo- dore Bell of California, who accompa nied MT Bryan here, made a speech, in which he compared the platforms of the two dominant parties.
 Bryan's Address.
 MT. Bryan said in part:
 You know it would be very hard for me to make a political speech in Salem, because a good many of my earlier ac quaintances here were republicans, and l would not for the world say anything that would hurt the feelings of any re- publican friend. But l was thinking today of story that I thought might fit this case, especially would it fit the case with the republicans who are friendly to MT. Roosevelt. l got this story in Canada. An American official l met up there told 1t to me. He said that there was man nominated for off, flee, and he was very anxious to poll big vote in his home town, or the town where he was born. and he went back there and made a speech, and they turned out those of his own party and those of other parties, and he made personal appeal to them. He told them that he was very anxious to have large vote in the town of his birth, just as a compliment to him; and in the course of his speech he said:
 "Many of you will not agree with my party affiliations, but believe you
  ships sake and he pointed to an old man named Smith, He said: Now, there is old Brother Smith. I know we do not believe in the same party, but l have known him from the time I was a boy and he has known me and be- lieyo that Brother Smith will vote for me Just for old acquaintanceship sake. Won't you, Brother Smith?'
 Devil Not Runnlnq.
 fy"Now, Brother Smith was very frank old man, and he blurted out: I would vote for the devil first!' 'WelL' responded the young man, as your friend is not running this year, cannot l expect your voter
 And so I feel that as the friends of the Roosevelt republicans is not running this year l am going to get some of their votes But l might put 1t on a stronger ground than that. There are certain things that come naturally by descent, and reforms come by descent. You cannot convey a reform by will The President has tried to bequeath certain reforms tc the republican candidate, but l am the next of blood in the reform business, ano they come to me. In fact think coult make it stronger than that. If a mar dies and leaves no children the property goes back to his parents, and so far as reforms are concerned the republican party has died without heirs and the re forms go back to the one from whom thu republican party got the reforms.
 ESQ I think I have right to expect { good many republican votes this year Then. my friends, l am expecting larg additions to the democratic vote because lhe times are ripe for change in admin
 ation. MT. Taft was making speecl
 Ter in Virginia and he forgot that ther Hkas a country outside and he was mak 1ng the speech for the republicans of Vir sg Rinia, and he told those people that whel 8 a party stayed in power good while