The Bryans ad Interim

POLITICAL NOTE

It is strange that the two brothers William J. and Charles W. Bryan have gained the greater part of their reputations as politicians for, after all, they have not held many political offices, nor held those for very long. As business men they have a much more noteworthy record.

In 1896, William was a newspaper editor and Charles a cigar salesman. Both have given a large part of their time and attention to politics and yet--doing business casually with their left hands, as it were, while their attention was engaged elsewhere, doing not a little expensive traveling--they (especially the elder) are today well to do, not to say wealthy.

They had their paper. The Commoner, which in its day must have made not a little money. William also made a good bit from his Chautauqua oratory and from his writings for newspapers and magazines.

Last week, the brothers went up to Washington (Charles had been visiting with William at the latter's home in Miami) and re-emerged for a moment into the National spot light, prompting the question: "What are their present activities?"

Charles appears to be temporarily out of a job, following his retirement as Governor of Nebraska. William has been conducting Sunday School services every Sunday out of doors in Royal Palm Park, Miami. For this he receives, presumably, no--or little--pay. Operating at Miami, there is, however, a concern known as the Coral Gables Miami Riviera Co.--needless to say, realtors. This concern has "developed 4,000 acres and recently purchased 6,000 acres more for "development" at a publicly estimated cost of $100,000,000. In connection with this development, there is a "Venetian Casino," containing a Venetian swimming pool, lounges, etc. Over one end of the pool has been constructed a platform; upon it, every day except Sunday, there appears at noon Mr. William Jennings Bryan to speak. The subjects of his talks are announced beforehand by advertisements in the papers. Often nearly 1,000 people attend. He does not speak on religion. He touches only humorously on politics. He is not required to speak on real estate. However, he occasionally utters something like this : "We are nearer to two thirds of the people of the United States than any other winter resort of the Western Coast is to one third. We are closest to the richest two thirds. The reason that brought us here will bring increasing thousands.

The Coral Gables publicity department says that he is the highest paid lecturer in the U. S.

Last week, William Jennings left the Coral Gables long enough to make a journey to Washington on behalf of the Presbyterian Church and in company with his brother. The two visited the President and also gave a dinner. William devoted his efforts to religion, Charles to politics. Charles said to reporters: "I see no plan which will give the Democratic Party the support of a majority of votes in the East without setting it up against the desires of the voters of the West and South."

Perhaps that sentence explained the dearth of Eastern Democrats at the dinner of 60 plates which the Bryans soon gave. Many prominent Democrats from West and South were present. The dinner was distinguished by the presence of three men who, last fall, were candidates for Vice President. Dr. Cosme de la Torriente, Ambassador from Cuba, was present, humorously remarked as he saw the smiling faces of Charles G. Dawes, Burton K. Wheeler and Charles W. Bryan:

"In Latin America, it would not be possible. There would be some shooting."