The Gisborne Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. SATURDAY, JULY 11, 1908. A FAMOUS AMERICAN.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2240, 11 July 1908, Page 2

The Gisborne Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. SATURDAY, JULY 11, 1908. A FAMOUS AMERICAN.

Tho holding of tho National Convention by the Democrats of the United States for the purpose of selecting their candid ito for the ‘Presidency, again bring', to the fore a mail who. second only to Roosevelt, is certainly tho most striking personality in American politics. William Jennings Bryan first became known to the world in 1896, when, at the .Democratic Convention of that year, ho undo his famous speech on the bimetal ism question, and by his oratorical fervor so aroused the multitude that they discarded the candidates whose nominations had been arranged for submission to tho delegates and

“stampeded'’ for Bryan. Since that time Bryan has been the virtual'head of the party and represented it in 1896 and in 1900 in the contest for tho presidency. Four years ago a. section of tho Democrats camo.to tho conclusion that they could never win with Bryan,- whose radio il viows wore by no moans popular with the monied interests, and they decided to support a New York gentleman named Judge Parker, who, it was kiidwn, would bo acceptable to tho financial magnates of Wall Street. Their plans wore well made, and months beforo tho Convention took place enough money had been spent' by party organisers to ensure Parker’s nomination. Possibly recognising the hopelessness of the situation Bryan did not permit his name to go forward to the Convention, but ho was present as a dolegato and took part in tho framing of the platform upon which the party was to make its light for tho Presidency. The Parkerites had been magnificently organised with a view to not only securing the nomination of their candidate, but also to dominate the proceedings in every way. The banner under which .Bryan had on two occasions led tho Democrats jn a. game, but unsuccessful fight, was to be taken down and replaced by one more in sympathy with the views of tho wealthy classes, Worst of all the bimetalistic plank was to bo publicly renounced. Bryan was. willing, in view of changed conditions, to agree to the waiving of this particular item, but to make a straightout declaration in favor of the gold standard was “rubbing it in” with a. vengeance. So Bryan fought the Pa'rkerites at every turn and put up one. of the ganiest- struggles ever recorded in American political history. His speech in tho Coliseum in St. Louis where the Convention took place,,is considered by many to have •been even more notablo than that with which the Democratic orator first leaped into the limelight ol' public fame. In to-day's supplement there appears an nccouut of the Convention referred to written by a New Zealaud journalist who was present, which should he of particular interest at the present juncture. Bryan's defeat ut that time wr-s so complete that many considered tho-ovent would mirk his permanent exclusion from the leadership of the party, .hut those who came to such a conclusion must have greatly underestimated the man’s personality. Judge Parker was badly .beaten by Roosevelt for tho Presidency and has since dropped into oblivion, whilst this year it lias been very difficult to find a candidate to oppose the .Nebraskan for tho party nomination. At latest mail advices Governor Johnson, of Minnesota, was tho only name seriously mentioned in this connection, and. in all probability il is on his behalf that the Tammanyites of New York are devoting their efforts. A cablegram published ill Monday’s issue referring to the Convention read as follows: Ten thousand: claquers are assembling at Denver for the Democratic Convention. Tammany sent five trains loads of politicians with £25,000 loose change. There are tons of thousands of bottles of wine and beer and one land three-quarter million cigars intended to rouse enthusiasm,

Tho cablegram here quoted throws an illuminating light upon the methods of American politicians and at tho same time indicates that Bryan is by no means to secure a milk-over.