New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-03-04
WILLIAM JENNINGS BRYAN
Sccrct2ryship Of State His Re-
ward for Ait;inc Wilson

-ieS.tc"t William J,n0iacs Eryan Has
"'' ID foremost among thoS, mentioned for
sec t'al| OF S:a;s. though many tim,
IS been sail that the Y bra sltao
"0nld MOI accept tue portfolio Nj. Bryan
mas not been without his opponents. and
IN several occasions men high IN the
Democratic party vent 10 M Wilson
aud told him tactfiily. but firnIv. THAT
the appointment f Mr Bryan would
creSte an embarrassing situation between
the state Department and Congress.
II was said that as Secretary Nj Bryan
might have 10 deal with a Senate Com
m.ttee or Foreign Relations and House
Committee on Foreign Aiars. both Of
which would be dominates by men un-
a'tcrsbly opposed to Mr. BRYAN. Tine
situation thus created. it WAS SAID. would
not only make a puppet out Of the Sec
taTy Of State. but it would he vexatious
10 tho entire administration
II was said that there vas the closest
understanding between President Wilson
and Nj. Bryan except on two points
one Was the limiting OF the Presidents
service 10 one term. Mr. Wilson had in
dicated his opposition to the plan. though
the proposed amendment excepted him
from its provisions. The other was the
selection Of a New York man who might
have been identified with the interests
for any post in the Cabinet
Nj. Bryan was credited with attempt
ing 10 dictate to Nj Wilson regarding
the makeup of tho Cabinet. 1t was no
secret that Mr.. Bryan was extremely desr-
GUS os landin, the Secretaryship of State,
though frequently he said that he did not
expect Il place in the Cabinet and that
political debts should not be paid by such
appointments.
on the other hand, because Mr.. Wilson s
nomination was due TO the activities OF
Mr.. Bryan al Baltimore. there were many
who thought that the President could do
nothing less than make M Bryan the
successor Of Knox. II was said that hav-
lug rui three times for the Presidency
N,r. Bryan felt for a time that 10 accept
:. cabinet place would he putting an end
to his political ambitions.
AR. Bryan has been described as an
opportunist. Cndismayed by his defeat
on the free silver issue in 1896, when he
won the Democratic Presidential nomina-
ton at Chicago by tis famous cross of
sold" speech. he was President McKn-
lcys opponent again in 1900, shifting the
issue from free silver 10 snti-imperialism.
He said that he would not seek another
nomination, and he did step aside in 1901
but Alton 3. Parker received only per-
functory support from him.
When Mr.. Bryan returned from a trip
around the world in 1906 he sought TO
-
appeal 10 the people, and advocated ma
tional ownership and operation Of rail-
roads lie soon abandoned the idea. In
1905 he ran again for the Presidency. this
tine being beaten by William II. Taft
When Mr.. Bryan obtained the nominal
ton in 1896 he was the youngest man ever
named as a candidate for President hav-
ing passed only one year beyond the age
rxed by the Constitution. He was born
March 10, 1850. at Salem. Marion County.
H. In 1851 he was graduated from Illinois
College AS the valedictorian of his class.
After studying law two years at Union
Law College, Chicago, and in the ONCE
OF ex-senator Lyman Trumbull. he was
admitted 10 the bar. He settled first at
jacksonville. ILL., a year after his admis-
SION 10 the par ne rndTrlep mary f.UZdDetH
Baird After the birth of her first child
she studied law. was admitted TO the bar
and aided Mr.. Bryan in his practice.
In 1887 Mr.. Bryan moved to Lincoln,
Neb where he formed the Law partner
ship Of Talbot & Bryan. Mr.. Bryan was
nominated for Congress from the lst Dis
trict of his state in 1880 and won by
large majority. though he has said he
took the nomination because no one else
wanted il and it was believed that he
could no. win. He served two terms in
Inc House In the war with Spain Mr..
BRYAN became colonel OF the Sd Nebraska
Volunteers. but got no nearer the front
than Tampa.
Mr. Bryan al no time has been especial
~ successful In the practice Of his pro-
fessIon. one OF his admirers saying that
ne never made more than $3.50 a year at
the bar. His fondness has been for pub
Tic speaking, and his successive defeats
tav,. not diminished the demand for him
as Lecturer He established THE Com
moner." weekly paper. in 1901. lie has
had further journalistic experience on
..The Omaha World Herald and as
Leauent contributor TO magazines and