Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1913-07-23
BRYAN's LECTURE TOUR.

Bryan's re-entry into the Chautauqua
lecture field in order to make money,
as frankly expressed in his statement
at Asheville, n. c., will add another
embarrassment to an administration
already harassed by incompetent anu
tactless cabinet members. That the
secretary of state should thus openly
and fagrantly violate the proprieties
of his office and thereby set a PERM
cious example to government en-
ployes everywhere is bad enough, but
it is apparent that such a practice
will leave the administration with
out any responsible head to its most
important department.
At the present moment the assist
ant secretary OF state is out Of the
country; the second assistant is in
Europe, and the third assistant is
busy accompanying the visiting Bra
lillian minister Of foreign affairs upon
his visit to- various important cities
OF the United States. Under such cir
cumstances it would seem that Sec
rotary Bryan would stay in Washing
ton, where congress is in session,
and where a multitude of important
problems demand strictest attention.
In Mexico civil war is threatening
the downfall of the provisional gov
eminent and armed Intervention on
our part may not be long delayed. Our
International trade relations are
wholly neglected and the state de-
partment is being besieged with for.
eign inquiries as to our tariff poll
ces. The dispute over the Panama
canal questions have not been settled
and the Japanese question is growing
daily more serious.
With all these duties and re.
sponsibilities pressing upon him. Sec
rotary Bryan calmly announces that
he is about to begin a six weeks
Chautauqua tour, because his salary
is insufficient for his needs. This
truly is a most astonishing state Of
affairs. Mr.. Bryan is a rich man.
AS he says himself, for eighteen years
he has been lecturing for money,
which has been accommodating with
gratifying regularity. And still his
appetite for gan is not sufficiently
appeased to permit him to remain at
his official post when he is most need.
ed. In his recent statement he at
tempted to mitigate his actions by
declaring he knows of no better audi
ence than the Chautauqua audience,
and that these meetings enable me
to keep in touch with the people,"
But why does the secretary of state
need an audience" at this time and
what immediate need is there for him
to keep lin touch" with the people?
His business is in Washington and
his duty is to keep in touch with
congress, foreign affairs and the ma
tional interests. He has been keep
ing in touch with the public for
eighteen years, with the accent on
the TOUCH and his whole duty at
this time is to attend to the imper.
alive business of his important de-
partment. If he thinks his pay is
not enough, he can resign. Other
secretaries of state of less simple
tastes and more social demands have
managed to live on the salary of the
Office. Mr.. Bryan could do 80 with
out doubt. Therefore. it is obvious
that some other reason or reasons
prompt him to desert his post at this
time and 60 for a six weeks lecture
trip. Perhaps it is love Of the money
itself, but o likely it is the de-
sire to reanimate his own political
fortunes, and maybe it is a combina.
tion Of both reasons. In any event
his actions are most reprehensiole
and unpatriotic.