Nebraska Navy - Charles W. Bryan Info

He never argued in court at the famous Scopes Monkey Trial. He never received the presidential nomination for the Presidency of the United States. He never delivered a speech as famous as the "Cross of Gold" speech that rallied a nation. No, he never did any of those things that his more famous brother William Jennings Bryan did. But nevertheless, Charles W. Bryan still enjoyed a lengthy and colorful career in Nebraska politics.

Charles W. Bryan served as governor of Nebraska during the roaring twenties from 1923 to 1925, and again from 1931-1935. A populist figure like his brother, Bryan ran on a platform of a fiscally conservative government and a non-interventionist approach in the affairs of the citizenry. Well, he had his skeptics including those who viewed his smaller government rhertoric to simply be a way for him to eliminate government in some areas while increasing its size and hiring his own friends into newly created positions. But all in all, Bryan always maintained a core group of supporters which helped him throughout his career.

In 1924 Bryan received the vice-presidential nomination for president. Along with Democratic presidential nominee John W. Davis of West Virginia, Bryan joined the national fray for a brief but memorable period in America's history. Unfortunately for Bryan, he might have done better in some other year. In 1924 Davis had been chosen as a compromise candidate on the 101st ballot after the Democratic convention failed to elect a nominee during a struggle between Albert Smith and William G. McAdoo. This indecisiveness within the party ranks didn't bode well for Davis and Bryan as virtually the entire country except for the Dixie South went to the Republicans. Of course, Bryan may have had an inkling that the whole thing wasn't going to work out. After all, the first vice-presidential nominee turned it down. But hey, at least they won Florida!

And so it was back to Nebraska for Charles W. Bryan.

Bryan didn't seem to mind non-consecutive terms whatsoever. Besides his two separate terms as governor, he also served as mayor of Lincoln from 1915-1917, and again from 1935-1937. He also tried to run for governor of Nebraska on several other occassions, including a final attempt in 1938, but alas it was not meant to be.

So what was Bryan's biggest battle as governor? Some might argue it was his infamous battle with Republican Lieutenant Governor T.W. Metcalfe. While Bryan was away on vacation Metcalfe took over the affairs of state. While in charge, Metcalfe created the Great Navy of the State of Nebraska and began bestowing the title of Admiral in the Nebraska Navy on his friends and associates. However, what began as what some might call political grandstanding has now turned into a long standing tradition for many Nebraskans. Although there's no record of Bryan ever receiving an Admiralship himself, he did finish out his political career in Nebraska and spent much of his time writing and commenting on the politics of the day. After dying in 1945 he was buried in Wyuka cemetery in Lincoln.

Bryan also has a 290 foot bridge named after him on Highway 20/83 over the Niobrara River, 3.3 miles southeast of Valentine. If you happen to be going that way soon, you may want to take a quick glance out the car window and see if you can catch a glimpse of any of the great battle ships of Nebraska cruising down the mighty Niobrara. And remember that with literally thousands of Admirals out there in Nebraska, there's no telling who you might see on board.