Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-09-13
Bryan as a Spectacle.
(New York SUM-


According to a despatch to the New
York Times the Hon. William j. Bryan,
Secretary of state of the United States of
America, responded yesterday to an in
quiry from the Excelsior. a Paris news
paper:
1t is true that my lectures are inter
spersed between various turns" but
these are necessary to hold audiences
during morning. afternoon and evening
sessions. | speak on educational sub
jects only. 1t is for this object that
give the lectures. not for a lucrative end.
The italics here are ours, not Mr.
Bryan's.
Four weeks ago in his own newspaper,
the Commoner. the Secretary of State of
the United States of America made an
other and an altogether different expla-
nation of his appearance on the Chau-
tauqua circuit. He said not one word
then about an educational purpose. He
signed his name. as in the despatch now
setting forth the non-lucrative theory,
to, the statement that the purpose OF his
lecturing was pecuniary prolific en-
able him to supplement an Inadequate
official income.
In order that there may be no doubt of
this we quote several passages from Mr..
Bryan's signed statement in the Com
moner for August, 1915 entitled making
a Living:
When | announced that ] found 1t nee
essary to supplement my official income
and that ! would turn to the lecture plat
form as the most natural as well as an
entirely legitimate means of earning
what additional income needed, the
question was at once asked, why rs MI:
Bryan unable to I've upon a salary OF
81, 600 ii year?''
1t ought to have occurred to any one
who was tempted to ask the question
that the question is not whether Capi,
net officer could live on $1,000 year ! +
HE HAD NOTHING TO CONSIDER
EXCEPT THE EXPENSES ATTEND
ANT UPON LIVING IN WASHINGTON'
PENSES OF OFFICIAL LIFE TO HIS
OTHER EXPENSES AND MEET THEM
ALL OUT OF HIS SALARY.
My income for nearly 20 years has been
derived almost wholly from lectures ana
writing-the larger part from lectures
and since both writing and lecturlng are
honorable professions there Is no more
reason why | should not augment my IN
come from them than that other oihciais
should refrain from adding to their OH
cial incomes the returns from business
or investment.
The yellowish capitals in the foreso
ing extract from Mr.. Bryan's admission
| of lucrative or mercenary purpose art
his, not ours.
! Here then we are met by two coniiict
! ing and utterly irreconcilable statements
| signed by the Secretary of state OF IN
| United States of America concerning ms
| purpose in making show. under circus
! tent canvas, not only of his own mor'
! or less puichritudinous person. but ans
| of the dignity of the exalted office wnlci
| he holds by President Wilson's appoint
' ment.
1 The signed statement to the foreigl
newspaper is that Mr.. Bryan lectures I
| educate the people, mot for lucratiV
! end"
| The signed statement in his own news
! paper here at home is that he does lee
ture for lucrative end, in order to aug
ment his income.
Which statement is true and which
false? you pays your money and 70
. takes your choice"
/, you pays your money and you take
! your choice" just as they pay thel
money and take their choice who ente
the travelling tent in transit today bt
: tween Cristield. Maryland. and Phoenis
ville Pennsylvania, on the great middl
Eastern stellar attraction circuit throug
parts of Maryland, u PENNSYLVANIA. Ne
| Jersey West Virginia and Virginia. M
Bryan's patrons pay their money at tn