THREE-TIME DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE FOR PRESIDENT BRYAN, WILLIAM JENNINGS. Group of 6 items, each Signed, "W.J. Bryan," one as Secretary of State: 5 Autograph Letters * Photograph postcard. The letters, to various recipients, concerning the upbringing and employment opportunities of his children, candidates for membership on the Federal Reserve Board, the lack of political harmony, and other topics. Together 20 pages, 4to or oblong 8vo, personal or "Department of State" stationery; faint scattered dampstaining to 1917 letter. One additionally signed by his wife, Mary Baird. The photograph, half-length seated portrait. Signed in blank lower margin. Correspondence side blank. 12mo; bold signature. (SFC) Vp, 1897-1920
29 May 1897, to E.H. McCrary: ". . . [Y]ou may have the autograph of both. Mrs. Bryan will sign this letter with me. I know you would pardon delay in writing if you knew the amount of work imposed upon us by the campaign." 10 February circa 1917, to "My dear Mr. [Alexander] Berger": ". . . I am perfectly willing for William [Bryan, Jr., his son] to go into the cattle business if he finds the office too confining. Health is the first consideration & cattle raising promises to be a profitable business . . . . Do you think you would like to take part in the next bond sale or in sale of war savings certificates? If so, I will write [William Gibbs?] McAdoo." [1914], as Secretary of State, to Secretary of the Treasury William Gibbs McAdoo: "I have not been able to find out whether the bill as passed includes the Comptroller & Sec of Agriculture but whether you appoint 4 or 6 members [of the Federal Reserve Board] I hope you will pardon me for suggesting some names. . . ." 31 October circa 1919, to "My dear Mr. [Alexander] Berger": ". . . My position in politics, while helpful to W[illia]m among the masses, does not help him--on the contrary raises a prejudice against him--among the big corporations. Here it would be different, my name would help him here to more than a local practice & he could be associated with me at Washington where . . . we could have our office and attend to international law matters. He[ ha]s knowledge of Spanish & could help in dealing with Latin America. . . . Mrs. Bryan is improving & I feel very hopeful of her final recovery but several months of rest will be necessary . . . . I am chief nurse & it is a real pleasure to be able to pay back in part the debt I owe to her for 34 years of care. . . ." With a postscript, written in upper margin of first page: "Politics is no longer 'adjourned'. The President's appeal has stirred up quite an excitement. I can not guess on the outcome." 18 May [1920], to "My Dear Mr. [Carl Schurz?] Vrooman": ". . . I have no doubt that the plan, if followed, would solve many if not most of our industrial problems but who can bring the warring factions into harmonious cooperation? Antagonisms seem to be growing & we have a militant crowd that shouts with Gen. [Leonard] Wood, 'ship or shoot'. I am hoping that we may do something at San F[rancisco] but the [Governor of NJ Edward I.] Edwards crowd seems to think of nothing but drink & the President would make the treaty without reservations the only issue. I send you a speech that briefly touches on cooperation. I delivered it before the Con[stitutional] Convention of Neb[raska, 1920]. . . ." With a postscript, written vertically in left margin of first page: "You are right in emphasizing the importance of making the public a party, that is necessary."
