The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1925-07-30
BRYAN PASSES
SHORTLY after
MONKEY TRIAL
Commoner's Last Fight
Was With a Fly

William Jennings Bryan IL dead.
The man who has appeared oftener on
the front page than any other political
figure in this country's history, pass
ed away at the home of friend in
Chattanooga, Tennessee, shortly after
the Scopes trial, where Bryan led the
forces Of superstition against science.
Bryant last spectacular appearance
in public life was a fitting climax to
life spent in exceeding windy plati-
tudes and making money. He was
nicknamed the "Commoner" because
he pretended to be the man "of the
people" as most any successful dema-
gogue in capitalist country must.
Killed a Fly
According to reliable reports, the
last act Of Bryan before he passed
away was to kill lower form of life
in the shape of fly. To the end he
was the bitter foe Of anything that
was not in the market for real estate.
Bryan being a famous man will be
buried in the Arlington National Ce-
metery. Millionaire distillers and beer
barons may visit his tomb and lay
wreaths on his grave. This will be no
more ironical than the life story Of
the man who claimed to have made
sacrifices for the people.
Democratic leaders, while outward
ly shedding tears over Bryan death,
inwardly thank their stars. Lately
Bryan has made a nuisance of himself
with his religious bunk. The practical
catholic section of the democratic
party, prefers to worship their reli-
gion at distance. They have we'll
developed contempt for religions that
take to the vacant lot. They also know
that the more it is talked about the
less people believe in it, They were
very angry with Bryan for waking the
sleeping Darwinian bull pup.
Would Be Ape Trial
Had Bryan lived, the next conven-
ton of the democratic party would be
divided between those who felt that
they had kindship with other forms
of life and those that believed they
came from the old reliable rib. BY
that time the X. X. X. would be either
dead or in Jail on a charge of disord-
erly conduct, and Bryan would get on
the front page during the whole con-
vention which might last until the
next century.
Altogether, worse things could
happen to the democratic party than
Bryan's death. With a quarrel be-
tween Dawes and Coolidge looming,
the democrats feel that a nomination
for the presidency in 1928 will not be
as much of an insult as it was in
1924.
Bryan was born in Salem, Illinois,
in 1850 He was nominated for the
presidency on the democratic ticket
in 1896, after he delivered his famous
"cross of gold" speech. He was nomi-
mated for the same Office twice more
but he never landed. The voters mis-
took eloquence for knowledge. They
were afraid he was too intelligent.
Had he waited until after the Scopes
trial. he might have pulled thru.
Nominated Wilson
He nominated Wilson at the Balti-
more convention in 1912 and served
as secretary of state in Wilson's ca
binet. He broke with Wilson over
the submarine note to Germany. Dur
ing late years he has devoted himself
% the lucrative practice of selling real
estate and defending the bible.
Bryan was very fond of money. He
once figured in a case where he sue
coded in inducing a wealthy old Ne
oraskan to leave him his fortune esti-
mated at nearly half million dollars.
Bryan wrote the will. bequeathing the
estate to himself leaving to the widow
of the deceased with the proverbial
dime, instead of the legal one third.
His greed resulted in the supreme
court leaving Bryan without a sou.
Since then, Bryan went after the
dough at Chautagua courses and in
other ways. He died rich man.