The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1911-08-29
That Is Mr.. Bryan Declined
to Talk on the Subject
While Here, but He Work
ed Hard at the Game.
HELD A CONFERENCE 4
WITH CHARLEY BECK
Arrives Ahead of Schedule
and the Only One to Re-
ceive the Democratic Idol
Was a Cab Driver.

William Jennings Bryan will not
talk politics for publication upon his
Chautauqua tours. But he does poll
tics while on the aforesaid pilgrim
ages. He makes alfalfa while the sun
river valley
The idol of the rank and file of the
Democratic party was not due to ar
rive in Richmond until eleven O'Clock
Tuesday morning, but the pussy footed
in town bright and early, getting here
before nine o'clock. In some mysteri-
Gus manner Charles Beck county chair
man of the Democratic party, sensed
the presence of the distinguished mem
ber of his party and the two left the
hotel early in the day with the mes
sage that Mr.. Bryan would be back at
eleven.
1t was upon his return to the hotel
that Bryan was approached by rep
resentative of the Palladium and ask
ed for his unexpurgated opinion of
President Taft's latest outbreak
against the Insurgents, the prospects
of progressive Democrats beating Har-
mon for the Presidential nomination,
and few other questions that are now
uppermost in the minds of the people.
Was a Temptation.
1t must have been a temptation for
the noted guest of the city to speak
his mind, for his eyes snapped at the
questions, but after moments hesi-
tation he answered, in the deep mel
low voice that has swayed thousands.
"Out of courtesy to the ChautauQua
management under whose auspices
appear here l do not think it would be
advisable for me to make statement
along political lines. l understand
this is a non partisan affair and that
a Republican of your city is to pre-
side at the meeting and introduce me.
Hence, it would not be seemly for
me to express any partisan thoughts
for publication while in your city"
However, Mr.. Bryan, you are not
averse to working at the game of poll
tics even though you do not care to
talk about it," said the reporter, "for
you have been in conference with Mr..
Beck the Democratic county chairman
ever since your arrival here, and you
, certainly must have considered the po-
litical situation with him."
1.-The Commoner" shot a twinkling
glance at his questioner and said plac'
idly, Il admire your beautiful city
very much. have been here several
times and each time l find more in
your city and citizens to commend"
Thus ended the interview.
Mr. Bryan's early arrival in the city
was due to a change in his Chautau.
qua schedule. Instead of speaking at
Columbus, Ind, Monday he spoke at
North Manchester and he came into
the city via the C. & O. at 8:45 a. m
Tuesday No reception committee was
on hand to greet him as consequence
| of this change, hut the much-traveled
speaker did not notice it's absence, for
he rented one of Herb Greene's low
necked hacks and drove to the hotel
without attracting any attention.
No Longer Young Man.
Mr. Bryan is not the young man he
was when he travelled to Chicago on a
! railway pass and in seersucker coat
fifteen years ago, poor editor, and
| without money and without price cap
tured the presidential nomination o1
his party and established for himself
leadership in that party which he
still maintains, despite he has beer
| thrice defeated in his presidential as
pirations. His hair is turning gray
crows feet are about his eyes and his
/ face has grown sterner. Three things
however, remain to charm, his expires
sive eyes, his wonderful voice and his
charming personality.
| That he is still popular favorit<
was demonstrated at the hotel, where
a number of travelling men introduced
themselves and expressed themselves
as being for him and for the progres
sive ideas for which he is fighting. Be
yond thanking them Mr.. Bryan made
no comment upon their statement.
At eleven O'Clock the reception com
mittee gathered ut the hotel and aftel
formal greetings, Mr.. Bryan was takeI
/ to the residence of F. A. Brown
| iTwenty-first and Main streets, wher1
he was a guest during his stay in th1
city, he and Mr.. Brown being persona
| friends.