Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1915-06-10

nings Bryan's resignation as secretary
Of state because Of q question of prin-
ciple at a critical moment in the ma
tons history added another sensation
to spectacular career-a life devoted
to arduous political campaigning, the
lecture platform. and the cause Of
universal peace.
Attracting attention when he went
to congress in 1891. Mr.. Bryan leaped
into prominence at once with speech
that electrified his audience. The tall,
lanky westerner had early earned the
title Of the boy Orator Of the Platte"
His famous "cross of gold and crown
of thorns" speech in 1896. at the
psychological moment in the demo-
cratic convention at Chicago won for
him the nomination for the presidency.
Colonel in Spanish War.
When the Spanish-American war
opened he enlisted and went to the
front as colonel Of regiment he
helped to form. On his return he
again came into prominence at the
democratic convention Of 1900, and
'thruout his campaign against Nc
Kinley advocated the granting of in
dependence to the Philippines and a
policy Of nti-1mperialism."
Notwithstanding his political de-
feats, he was acclaimed as the peer
Less leader Of democracy and was
supported by q large personal follow
ing. He made speeches in nearly every
city and town in the country, and his
bitter political fights with factions III
many states kept him in the forefront
of public attention. always dramatic
ally and in circumstances Of vivid ma
tion-wide interest
When Ndr. Bryan returned from
trip around the world in 1910 and was
greeted by great crowd in Madison
Square garden. New York. his speech
advocating government ownership OF
railways stirred up q sensation in
domestic politics. It was shortly after
this that woodrow Wilson, then presi-
dent Of Princeton university. wrote
tho famous letter to Adrian Joline, de-
claring that the speech made him feel
that Mr.. Bryan Fought to be knocked
into cooked hat"
Switch 1t Convention.
The record of Mr.. Wilson as gov
ernor Of New. Jersey In advocating
progressive legislation attracted Mr..
Bryan to him and he visited the gov
ernor at his Princeton home. Although
instructed as a delegate for Champ
Clark, Mr.. Bryan caused another SEN
sation at the Baltimore convention In
1912 by his fight on the Tammany
leaders in the New York delegation.
He switched his support to Mr.. Will
son at a critical moment, a circum-
stance to which has been ascribed Mr..
Wilson's nomination as we'll as the
beginning of q personal feud with
Champ Clark.
During the national campaign OF
1912 Mr. Bryan made many speeches
for Mr.. Wilson, principally in the far
west. The two men met for the first
time during the campaign at Lincoln.
Neb., when they spoke from the same
platform several times and received .
tremendous ovation.
Later Col. e. M. House, mutual
personal friend, brought them together
on the subject Of the secretaryship Of
state, place which Mr.. Wilson felt
he owed to Mr.. Bryan because Of the
latters position in the democratic
party.
Bars alcoholic Drinks.
While holding the portfolio Of sec
rotary Of state Mr.. Bryan has con-
tinued in the public eye. not alone
thru his official acts but his devotion
to two Misunderstanding and politics.
One of the first sensations Of his Off
cial career was his announcement that
grape Juice would be substituted for
alcoholic beverages whenever he en-
tertained members Of the diplomatic
corps.
His statement that $4,000 year
was not sufficient for a cabinet OFF,
Ger and that he, therefore. must lecture
to earn more money was another
episode which drew forth comment
around the world. He disregarded
newspaper criticism, declaring he had
never ahsented himself when official
business required his presence in
Washington.
His letter concerning the distribu-
ton Of patronage in San Domingo to
Observing democrats was another in
cident widely discussed.
Mr.. Bryan's opposition to the nomi-
nation Of Roger Sullivan in Illinois and
his activity in other primary fights
continued after his official identifica-
ton with the Wilson administration.
His editorials in his newspaper. the
Commoner, on prohibition and woman
suffrage, the signing Of thousands Of
pledges in temperance meetings at
which he spoke, and his advocacy OF
these issues irrespective of the attitude
Of silence of President Wilson, have
furnished political gossip over his fut-
ure plans and ambitions.
Members Of the cabinet who know
Mr.. Bryan most intimately declare
however, that he has always been the
least ambitious man at the cabinet
table and answering in his political
support of, the president. He used his
influence IN congress to keep the ranks
Of the administration democrats solid
for the tariff and currency bills.
Nesotiatss Peaos Treaties.
The secretary handled personally the