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Show SATURDAY, APRIL 25, 1908. PAGE NINE WILLIAM JENNINGS BRYAN Cut copyright ot Fawn n. Wellington. - denied the piveideiu-y- , Bryan hu been ble for more than twelve years to retain a place among the idols of the proverbially fickle American people, is the best evidence of the power of his personality and his compelling magnetism. In The Prime of Life The Nebraskan, whom his followers delight to designate as The Peerless. enters the present strenuous period of his career In the very prime of life, he having only a few weeks ago celebrated the forty-eighanniversary of his birthday. It will thus be seen that he la younger by almost two years than President Roosevelt. Bryan is essentially a product of the Middle West. He was bom in the town of Salem, 111., received his early education In the public schools, then graduated from Illinois college,-- at Jacksonville, and Anally attended the Union College of law, at Chicago. With something of the rugged courage that has more than once cropped out in his later career, Bryan was no sooner through his legal course than he married and set out to practice law in the college town of Jacksonville. He stuck It out for four years, and during this interim from 1888 to home community. Lincoln was a Republican city, and a good many of the voters regarded Bryan's radical ideas as rank political heresy. In short, ths town absolutely refused to enthuse over Its most conspicuous citizen, and denied that It was Bryan that had put the place on the map foi the newspaper read a transformation has hen wrought. IVrhups Bryan may noi Ms own ward or city or county if he it a this year, but at leist 1.. has !.. vsiwH-- t and admiration of th- - in which he dwells. Even his neighbors who differ from him politically are mighty proud of him as a citizen, and, in short, Lincoln Is now 'an-ui-la- te th , ' MISS GRACE BRYAN, Youngest daughter of W. J. Bryan. William Jennings Bryan, probably the moat conspicuous candidate for the Democratic nomination for president in 1908, has had a career thoroughly unique in American politics. Ko other public man In the history of the republic- has. In the face of repeated defeats for the nations high- -' - he and his plucky helpmate all the problems that usually fall to the lot of the young and unknown lawyer struggling for a foothold gnd the wife confronted with the necessity for rigid economy in household expenditures. Late In the eighties the Bryans removed to Lincoln, Neb., and this city has been home, to them ever since. His Nsighbors Like Him Incidentally It may be noted that one of the most Interesting sidelights on Bryans career is afforded by the change that has gradually taken place In the attitude of the people of Lincoln. Bryan has always been popular among thoee of his townsmen who knew him personally. Indeed, I would challenge any person, no matter how deep hla prejudice against Bryan's political beliefs, to remain unlnffu-ence- d by Bryans many likeable qual-tie- s if he came to know the Commoner man to man. But at the outset of his career as a national leader Bryan was known Intimately by only a small proportion of the 80,000 people of his 1887 faced . LOUIS Bryana J. ABBOTT, Right-Han- d Man. eat office, been able to hold year after year the admiration and enthusiastic allegiance of a large proportion of the The very fact that, though public. It was under these conditions that Bryan fulled to carry his own ward in the and enabled his political to make capital out of that mie: de.iily of stand political slna. the Inability i well at home. Gradually, liownver, willing to give Bryan universal recognition as Its chief naaet for gaining public attention. Notable Political Career Many persons who have followed Bryans later career pretty closely are wont to think of hla public career as ing public. opp-iia-ut- s t-- having been inaugurated by that sensational speech at the Democratic National convention in 1888. which won him his first nomination for president. As a matter of fact, however, Bryan did not hav any such sky rocket rise in politics He a member of congress from 1891 to 189.1 and accomplished much more than the average new member of the national legislature ran encomiiass. Tlieu he received the Democratic nomination for United States senator, but waa defeated by John M. Thurston. For two years prior to the convention of 1898 he was the editor ot one of the leading newspaper o Omaha and received the practical training that has enabled him to make a success during the past few years of his own weekly paper, the Commoner. Bryan will go down in history as one of the most remarkable campaigners the world has ever seen. In his first presidential campaign Bryan traveled more than 18,000 miles, speaking as many as a dosen times a day and often getting no more than three or four hours sleep out of the 24. Pines that time no man, not even his rival, Secretary Taft, has traveled so widely or so continuously as Bryan. Especially notable In this sphere of aetlvitles was his tour around the world, and it was this Journey, by the way, that gave many Americans a new aprecia-tlo- n of Bryan, for he waa feted and honored in every civilised country and everywhere did he create a favorable Impression as a representative American cltlsen invariably saying tha right thing at the right time In the right way. Hie Oratory Brings Wealth s MRS. RUTH BRYAN LEAVITT, Eldest daughter of W. J. Bryan. Bryan's lectures ar( usually on subjects he has been criticised for lecturing for pey. However, some of tlie critics who ar now railing against his prosperity are the very men who 12 years ago sneered at Bryan because he was a country lawyer with a practice of 81,800 a year, living in a 11.209 house. non-pclttl- cal Bryan a Ideal Heme Life The home life of the Bryan family Is lilital. Mrs. Bryan has ever been her husbands life partner in the beet and truest sense of the term. Classmates In college, she and her husband were married shortly after graduation and site studied law and waa admitted to the bar not with the expectation of practicing, but merely that she might help her husband In his office work. Later aha atudied shorthand typewriting and proofreading lu order to ahare her Will's activltlea. There are three children Mm. Ruth Bryan Leavitt, aged 22; William Jennings. Jr age 19, and Grace, age 17. When proeiierlty came to the Bryans they left the cottage In Lincoln and erected for themselves, this miles from town, a commodious, wldeporched, white-turret- ed country house, that Is appropriately named Falrview." Bryan always refers to hla homestead an the farm," although he has little time for farm work, and he takes pride In tha vegetables ths place produces, Another circumstance which etampa Bryana career aa extraordinary la that he has for a protracted interval proven that for the accomplished orators speech la In literal truth, golden. Few of the nation's statesmen have made money as a result of the possession of this gift, but Bryan has dona so In a most marked degree. He la (hs most sought lecturer In the country and could have two or three engagements for every night In the year If he would accept them. Ills net receipts average 1300 per lecture and hla notwithstanding the tut that he has Income from lectures la probably not little leisure In which to play fanner. WALDON FAWCETT. lees than 150.000 per year. Although -- WILLIAM HOWARD TAFT sr Cuts copyright of Fawcett, ' Washington. the results showed In the fact that was almost invariably at or near i head of hie class. Secretary Taft s always been a very loyal college in. He Is aeldom absent from an imnl banquet and many of hia moat :lmate personal friends are men io were chuma at Tale. Hla sent!-Is reflected also In the keen he now takes In the career of i eldest son, who Is at present In d mt In-e- st the Secretary whisper thaf reality it was the Influence of Mrs. Taft that caused him to pass by the prise and try for the greater one--- 1 the presidency. Comes of Family of Lawyers Mrs. Taft, who ia a very ambitious woman and one of her husband's most capable advslors, was prior to her marriage Miss Helen Herron, and, like friends of entertained In women. liege. Bent of Mind is Judicial whole career until a few years 0 was Judicial. His father before m was a Judge, and he had no soon- graduated In law from Cincinnati illege In 1880 than he waa admitted the bar of the supreme court lu llo. The year following he was assistant prosecuting attorney, it resigned a year later to become llector of Internal revenue In Ohio ider President Arthur. Soon, how-e-r, he voluntarily gave up this post return to the practice of law, In itch vocation, his heart had been all ng. By an odd coincidence It was Joseph Foraker, now Tafts bitterest who In 1887, while serving as vernor, gave Taft his first big posi-that of Judge of the Superior Taft resigned iurt of Cincinnati. re years later to become solicitor neral of the United States under of President Harrison. This iter position he resigned In 1881 to come United States circuit Judge for e Sixth Judicial district, and four are later he became professor and an of the law department of the diversity of Cincinnati As Governor of Philippines The dawning year. of the new cen-r- y found Taft called to a larger here of Influence, for It was In 1800 at President McKinley selected him r president of the United States latilllpplne commission, and a year the of he became, by appointment governor of vsldent, the e Philippines. From that day his ork became of international Import-te- e and Interest so much so that state any persons are accustomed to his won spurs Taft gospel that the Philippines, quite Ignoring tM table and creditable Judicial career lat preceded his display of executive iillty In the Fhr East come Despite all the fame that haa traversed haa he Toft In the paths half dosen year, there Ming the no question but that his heart and mermost ambition remain today, as In la the le past In the Judicial field. It n mmon belief that It waa the persua-ointhat Roosevelt of President deed Taft to decline that coveted to the United States Suwhich was proffered to Court rens Im a year or two ago, but close rafts se nilxei the best sort of who was at once the most democratic and most popular man In bis class, and at the same time he an exceptionally industrious and conscientious student. He put In the hardest kind of licks In study hours. 1 vass for the presidential Charlie la almost aa much trotter ee hla father and eral Filipino dialects with of a native. nomination. of a globe- apeuka sevthe fluency Affable and Diplomatic Of the personality of Secretary Taft The Tafts have always been a singucan be naught but praise, Hs larly united family, and with a large there men In connection their home has been almost Is one of the his sunny continuously the scene of family re- - the world, and best of all disposition Is not a mere political expedient an affected affability to be dropped aa soon aa the votes are safely captured. Hla whole Instinct under all circumstances is that of knldnesa of heart and hla and democracy are, likewise, contributory to hia genius in winning and holding friends. There may have been noma mistakes made in the conduct of the Taft canvass, but most disinterested observers are willing to place the blame upon the Secretarys assistant political manager, a man named Hitchcock, . rather than upon the whole eouled wheel horse of the administration, who Is so amiable and diplomatic that It is doubtful If he would make a single enemy If he could give personal attention to details best-natur- ed broad-mindedne- ss ap-lnt- ed The reader who would confess need of an Introduction to the personality and public services of William Howard Toft must be prepared to plead complete Ignorance of American pragma In the new century. No man, with the poaaibla exception of President Rooeelevt. has been more conspicuously In the public eye during the post half decode than the present Secretory of War. Toft, la a big man physically, nnd ha has bean n man tor big tasks. The Intricate problems of the establishment of civil government In the Philippines; the reorganisation of the Unted Btateo Army; the unmvelng of the tangle of Cuban affairs; the digging of the Panama Canal, and now the Presidency all these the tactful Toft has faced with never a ripple of hie equanimity. Waa Popular aa a Boy The administration candidate for President on the Republican ticket in 1901 is a native of Ohio, the state which has succeeded Virginia as the Mother of Presidents. The ' house in which he was born Is still standing In tha outskirts of the city of Cincinnati, but the school buildings where be received hla education ere he went to Yale University hkve, for the moot Prt. given away to new structures. Although Will Taft was a town boy, be eras not one of the sort! He went In for athletics, In which his father encouraged him, find the same attributes which 'made blm so successful In later years, and wn him the leadership of his Juven-- H Playfellows, who' dubbed him "UF Just why not even Taft was ever able to explain. . Head of Hie Claee lie College At college Taft made a very un-n- al record.,' He was an excellent In favor of education for The Tafts were married In 1888, end went to Europe on their wedding tour, returning to Cincinnati to begin housekeeping in a modest little home of their own. op-ne- WALDON FAWCETT. m BIG PARADE Rtaidonee of William H. Taft Columbus held a parade through the streets of the city today,. Many of the distinguished prelates who hsvt been here during the week will proceed to New York, where a similar centennial celebration will . be held by the Catholics of the metropolle next week. ARKANSAW TRAVELERS. FORT SMITH, Ark.. April 25. Chairmen of the various committees of the Arkansaw Travelers met hero OF CATHOLICS. today to arrange plans and details for tho great convention and celebraPHILADELPHIA. April 28. As a tion to be held here In Juna. The Arclimax to tho centennial celebration kansaw Travelers Is one of the best drumof tho creation of the diocese of Phila- known organizations of trad delphia, thousands of Knights of mers In the country. . . , Pt A New Portrait of William H. Taft. the man sha married, came from a family of lawyers. Her father was United States District Attorney John W. Herron, once the partner of President Hayes, and when Mrs. Taft waa a. slip of a girl Rutherford B. Hayes waa always unde to her and hla Will amiable wife waa Aunt Lucy. Taft and Helen Herron were much attracted to one another from early school days, but the engagement woe not announced until after the young man had graduated frtfm Tale. Meanwhile the young lady spent sometime as teacher In a private school, and It was thus that she acquired that strong sentiment she hoe always that when they embrace the families of the secretary's brothers and other relatives Insure a particularly lively bouse full. The belle of the Taft home is, of Course, the only daughter. Miss Helen, who bears hef mother's name, and Is about 17 yean of age. Miss Taft following In the footsetps of her parents In winning honors as a student and she shares her mothers passion for music. Next to the secretary, however, the best known member of the Taft family Is son. Master Charlie, the who is named for his uncle, the wealthy dtlsen of ClndnnaU who haa financed his brother's energetic can unions, Miaa Helen Taft and Master Charlie TafL two of the Secretary's Children. |