Omaha daily bee., 1916-03-26
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ILTHEN the republican national convention Is set
w in motion In june William j. Bryan will again
be occupying a seat at the press table just as
he did at the last republican convention and as he dd
at the republican convention OF twenty years ago
have this direct from Mr. Bryan himself for, when
I greeted him at the Creighton law students feast
the other evening, he started right
'Rosewater, have you any influence with the man
agement Of your coming convention ne asked.
Perhaps" ventured, hesitstingly wondering what
he leading up TO- at least think might have
We'll, then" said Mr.. Bryan, II wish you'd get
seat In the press section. I'm going report the
convention for a number of newspapers and you took
care Of me so well last time, I'd like to have you
look after this for now"
which side OF the house do you want to cit on
Mr. Bryan. the republican side the democratic
side7 asked
But fear he didn't zee the Joke
"ohl They don't seat them that way do they?" he
came back
NO not in conventions" hastened to reas
sure him, And even ~ did, you could have a seat
on the republican side. II you wanted it. for we are
opening the door wide TO everyone to come In
IL will be remembered that in 1see Bryan went from
the reporters table st. Louis to Chicago to talk
himself into his nomination and in 1912 ne prac.
tcaly stopped proceedings at Chicago while he took
MS departure for Baltimore where he finally swung
the balance from Champ Clark to Wilson. Far be Il
from me- however, to predict
Needless 10 add / have already written "a seora
tary Reynolds behalf OF Reporter Bryah and n II
turns out that the application late TO have the
deserved confederation shall hold place at the press
table allotted TO The Bee at his disposal
Mr. Bryan is looking remarkably we'll. II was a
year since had last seen him at Washington ana
ne then seemed exceedingly and tired I think
ne mas lost some weight in that time looks trim
mer all around, perhaps in part because he has his
hair trimmed closer though noted the rim not only
steadily receding az II has been for some years but
also becoming tnsed with gray where It used 10 be
gstening black. He was in mighty Rood burner
that night and his eyes spared at the fun and tokos
perpetrated by the clever Creighton boys Cand tho
g1rls) In their talks. His own speech while ertar
tanning was little too long drawn out and was
plainly made-on-the-spot patchwork OF pieces from
TWO or three OF his staple addresses but gngered up
as no one out Bryan can do. with apt local ausions
such Tor example, as the bouquets his fellow ora
tors and his feeling reference TO his personal reatpa
with John A. Creighton. the universltys foun-
ders. Mr.. Bryan's command Of clear concise and
vigorous English however. is still unsurpassed and
no one match him in facility OF talking
Authentic report has II that President Nicholas
Murray Butler OF Columbia university. who
guest here in Omaha two weeks ago. the choice
OF the committee In charge OF the Chicago convention
for temporary chairman. His selection might
been universally pleasing. but all who heard his
terful address at the Pampsest club will agree that
he is pre-eminently qualified TO deliver the keynote
speech and would make excellent presiding off
But when read that his under con-
sideraton. knew that ne could because his
goodbye to me in Omaha. "Il you in Chicago"
was coupled with the explanation that he could not
be there until the second days session. And She
reason7 Well that TOO, happen know. being
the Columbia commencement exercises and the OPEN
ing OF the republican national fall together
June T. The convention date IL movable, but the
commencement is fixed by university statute for the
Tuesday OF the thirty eighth week following the
ginning OF the regular fall semester and the presl-
dent OF the institution IL ordinarily expected
fer the degrees In personat any rate President
Ter has never missed commencement and ne In
sists that his political activities be wholly subord
mated to his academic work This miscue of dates IT,
I must confess. equally embarrassing to me, for 1
had been figuring attending the commencement re-
union Columbia graduate OF the class Of twenty
five years ago and as everyone knows. a quarter
centennial reunion can come but Under tho
conditions the convention opening will have to get
along without DR.. Butler and the commencement win
proceed without me-