The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1912-12-21
". ]. BRYAN At FLORENCE.
GREAT COMMONER HAS CONT.
DENCE IN WILSON,
Esteem Increases as Acquaintance
With the President-elect Grows.
Will Win Public Approval.

Florence, Dec. 17.-William Jen-
nings Bryan passed through the city
this morning going to Winston Salem
from Wilmington, where he had
spoken last night. He goes from Win
ston-Salem to Asheville.
He is Of course a marked man
wherever he travels and travels as a
Democrat in the regular coaches or
Pullman where he can write his
editorials for The Commoner or make
up speeches to thrill the country
with.
He was very anxious to see the
morning papers of this State when he
got here and to get a breakfast at
the famous eating house.
He was spoken to by many ad-
mirers, and entered with genuine
pleasure into the discussions at the
station. He would have made a
speech If the time had been long
enough, and the crowd around him
willing to let him get away.
To the correspondent Of The State
he said that he would not care to
express an opinion on the personnel
Of the cabinet. He smiled at the stories
told Of his having a private Office In
Washington, and other stories that
are in circulation make reading for
the yellow journals.
He would not comment, either, ON
the suggestion Of the demand Of the
world for him to be It the head Of the
department Of state in this country
on the grounds that 1t would mean
the peace Of the world.
He had nothing to say Of the ap-
peal that seems to be made by the
Balkan allies for the aid Of America
in their fight for fair and just terms Of
peace with Turkey. He said that he
did not know enough Of the real sit
uation to be quoted.
He did talk. however. Of the out.
look for the Democratic party, and
the prospective administration Of Gov.
Wilson. He said that Gov. Wilson
came into Office under circumstances
that were unusual and most favorable.
Not only has he the entire confidence
OF the Democratic party, but he has
the confidence of the Republicans as
well. The Taft men rejoice that he
has defeated Roosevelt, and the
Roosevelt men rejoice that he has de.
feated Taft, so that all wish him well.
My confidence in him." he said, has
grown as my acquaintance with him
has increased. He has two things es-
sential to enable him to win the APP
proval of the public. First he is con-
scientious-that is, he seeks the ap-
proval Of his own conscience in what
he does, and second his sympathies
are with the masses. With these two
points fixed, We can draw q line on
public man just as a SUI reyor can
draw line on the earth when he has
| two points fixed"
In regard 10 the Investigations now
going on in congress and the effect
OF this short session on the Demo-
cratic party and its chances of sue
cess, he said that they were doing a
great deal of good, the public must
be informed before ii acts. and the
light that the Investigations are
throwing on the money trust will en-
able congress to act on the subject
with more intelligence. The evidence
shows the enormous power OF a few
men and their influence to be so wide
and all pervading. 1t is also made
plain how necessary some remedial
legislation is, which is the great re-
suit Of the inquiry.
Then with one Of his bright and
soul cheering smiles he asked the re-
porter IL that were not enough and IL
he would not let him reserve some
thing for the next reporter that he