The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-10-25
BRYAN EXPLAINS
 FORGED ABSENCE Has Not Time to Visit Demo-
 cratic States
LETTER TO MIR. MALLORY
Leader Urges Every Democratic Voter In Alabama to Do His Duty On November 3-Social and
 Personal Items.

Selma. October 24-(special.)- )-H. S, D. Mallory, chairman of the state democratic executive committee, is in receipt of letter from Mr. Bryan asking that a full vote be polled and explaining his inability to visit certain democratic states. MT. Mallory has sent the letter to all the daily and weekly papers of the state, his letter of transmission and the letter from Mr Bryan being as follows
 Selma, October 2S, 19Os Dear Sir:
 T am inclosing to you. and to the other democratic newspapers of the state, a letter from MT. Bryan, which I think will interest the democrats of Alabama. He explains that engagements made for him in the doubtful states by the national committee have so occupied his time that he has been unable to visit the states known to be certainly democratic, and he wishes this made known to the democrats of Alabama. He promises to visit the south after the election, and in view of the favorable reports from the campaign, cheers us with the strong hope that he will come as the President-elect.
 Tt is believed that the publication of his letter in the democratic press of the state will add to the already great en- thusiasm now among us, and aid in bring ing to the polls every democratic voter. Respectfully, H. s. D. MALLORY,
 Bryan's Letter.
 Chairman"
 'Lincoln, Neb., October 20, 1908. INT. H. S. D. Mallory Selma:
 Dear Sir-The committee has thought it wise to arrange dates for me in the doubtful states, and 1 therefore have not had time to visit the states known to be certainly democratic. I wish you would explain the matter to the democrats there and assure them that my absence is not due to lack of interest in them, but to the fact that I can serve them better by help ing to win national victory than by vis- it's which, while pleasant, would not add to our strength in the electoral college.
 T shall visit the south after the cleo tion. The favorable reports we are re- eeiving lead me to hope that may come as the President-elect and share with your people in the rejoicing that will fol- low triumph for the democratic prin- ciples and policies.
 q need not say anything in explanation or in support of our platform. Your peo- pie are acquainted with the issues and understand the importance of a national democratic victory. I do wish, however, that you would impress upon the voters of your section the necessity of polling the largest possible vote in the southern states. There are two reasons for this. First. every vote cast in the south adds to the popular vote in the nation, and we need popular majority as well as ma jority in the electoral college. A popular majority will give a public indorsement and moral support which will be needed in carrying out the policies outlined in the platform.
 "Our democratic vote in the south usu- ally falls several hundred thousand short of what it might be, merely because the democrats do not feel that their votes are necessary in their state and congressional contests. I wish you would make it your business to see that every democratic vote in your section is poled this year that we may have the encouragement and SUD- port that a popular majority will give.
 There is another reason why our people should be sure to vote, even though they feel that their votes are not necessary to elect their local candidates The small vote in the south is constantly used by those republicans who talk about the re- duction of southern representation in Congress. The larger the vote boiled the less the influence of such an argument. Please assist us to the extent of your ability in the effort to secure the largest democratic vote ever polled in the south and the largest democratic majority ever l recorded for the national ticket
 Thanking you for the assistance you have given us in the campaign, I am, very truly yours, w. J. BRYAN"
 Social and Personal. The social season in Selma was opened last night with the initial affair by the Central City club. During the first part of the evening a reception was held at which Miss Jessie May Perkins played a beautiful violin solo and Miss Elsie Jones rendered vocal selection. Dancing was begun about Il o'clock and was kept up until a. m. E. w. Pettus and Miss Car rie Wilkins led the german. salad course was served and delicious punch l quenched the thirst of the dancers
 The Dixie Boys club gave their open | Ing affair last night at the West End | pavilion, about 25 couples participating , Miss Rose Weaver entertained Friday afternoon in honor of her guest Miss Stillwell. The house was beautifully dec orated for the occasion and a large num- Der of guests called
 1 Miss Murphy of Greensboro, Miss Lula Mcqueen of Montgomery and Miss Allie Alison of Carlowville were among the out of-town visitors to the Central City clubs affair.
 1 L. O. Davidson came over Friday even ing to attend the opening dance of the I Central City club.
 
 l Republican Meetino