The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1908-07-01
BRYAN WOULD LIKE GRAY,
johnson Would Also Suit Him as a
Running Mate.

Lincoln, Neb., June 22.-"I am in
the position Of the young girl whose
engagement has been anpounced and
who feels that it Is becoming in her
to remain quietly at home until her
wedding day." said William Jennings
Bryan at Fairview this afternoon.
BY this Mr.. Bryan plainly meant to
indicate entire satisfaction with the
outlook for the Denver convention
To visitors who called after he had
returned ito his country home from
attending services at the Second
Presbyterian church in the city, Mr..
Bryan talked In quite as confident a
vein about the result of the election
In November as about the results Of
the national convention three weeks
from now.
Chief among Mr.. Bryan's visitors
today was w. B. Brinton. a district
delegate to Denver from Illinois and
one Of the largest manufacturers Of
farming machinery Of the country.
Mr.. Brinton was dinner guest. He
came all the way from his home at
Dixon, ILL.,. to discuss with Mr.. Bryan
four or Ave Of the prominent planks
Of the platform to be adopted, and
also the questions as to the vice pres
idenial nominee and the management
OF the campaign. He strongly urged
upon the candidate the selection of
David r. Francis. of Missouri, as
campaign manager.
Mr.. Brinton left Fairview this
evening for Illinois. He was under
the impression that Mr.. Bryan,
though fully appreciating everything
that had been said about Mr.. Francis,
would prefer to leave the national
committee free to choose the cam
paign manager. Mr.. Brinton said
Mr.. Bryan manifested great interest
In the suggestion Of Judge George
Gray, Of Delaware. as his running
mate.
Would Like Gray or johnson.
II told Mr.. Bryan" said Mr..
BriAton. that with Judge Gray in the
second place on the ticket. We would
sweep the country in November. To
this Mr.. Bryan assented with marked
evidences Of confidence. / told him.
too, that I thought I had reason to
believe that Judge Gray would ac-
cept the vice presidential nomination
II 1t should be rendered to him by
the Denver convention without an
unseemly struggle. My next sugges.
ton to him for Vice President was
Governor johnson. Of Minnesota.
Mr.. Bryan intimated that next to
Judge Gray, Governor johnson would
suit him best. I also asked him II
his fast running mate. Abial e. Ste
venson. Illinois grand old man, would
suit and Mr.. Bryan said he would,
should neither Gray nor Johnson be
Mr.. Brinton says Mr.. Bryan dis
played keen qualification when in
formed that the Democrats Of Illinois
would probably nominate John Mitch
ell. the labor leader, as their candi-
date for governor.
But as manufacturer" said Mr..
Brinton. II pointed out to Mr.. Bryan
that upon the subject Of tariff re-
vision We ought to put into our dec
laration that II intrusted with the
power Of passing a Democratic tariff
law We would postpone the operation
OF the law as to certain schedules,
notably steel and iron, until the
stocks Of those commodities in hand
at the time the law was passed should
be exhausted by their owners. Mr.
Bryan agreed that this was an admir-
able suggestion and he though
the scheme could be made practical
ble."
Mr.. Bryan has not yet definitely
decided whether. in the coming CAM
paign, he will tour the country els ex.
tensively as he did in his other two
campaigns. He has let it be known
that In the matter he will be govern
ed largely by the wishes Of his cam
paign managers. The citizens of
Lincoln are insistent upon his re-
naming at home through the greater
part Of the campaign. They now re-
cognize In him a business asset of
great value. In anticipation of Mr..
Bryan's remaining at home and there.
by making this city the Mecca Of the
faithful with money enough to travA,
the prominent hotel of the town Is
erecting large addition at rrea. cost.
The street railroad cymrauits. TOO.