Evening star., 1896-09-19
CROWDS AT THE PARK
A Big Assemblage Will Await Mr..
Bryan's Coming.
.-.-,
SCENES IN TIE NEIGHB0RHOOD
Excellent Arrangements for the
Democratic Ratification Meeting.
VISITORS FROM ABROAD

Everything Is in readiness for the demo-
cratic ratification meeting at the Capitol
Base Ball Park this afternoon, and as The
Evening Star goes to press an immense
crowd Is surging into the grounds through
the several gateways, the platform and
grand stand are filling up with the lucky
holders of green and red tickets, and the
streets contiguous to the meeting place are
alive with struggling thousands all intent
upon securing a good place, whence they
may see the democratic candidate for the
Presidency and hear him enunciate his
arguments in favor of the principles that
he represents.
The air is tuneful with the sound of
music, made by the bands behind which.
various democratic organizations belong
Ing to the District as we'll as several from
distance, have marched in bodies to the
common gathering place, and the ndica
democrats regarding the attendance at
their meeting of people from distance
Will be more than realized All the incom-
Ing Baltimore and Ohio, Pennsylvania and
Southern fast trains today were filled to
their capacities, while the accommodation
trains were in almost every instance jam
med to degree that made it uncomfort-
able for the passengers. These conditions
were observable in the earliest trains of
the day, and they were increased steadily
as the hours wore on. The crowds came
flom nearby Maryland and Virginia in
great numbers and there were throngs
from the back counties as well. The pre-
ponderence Of farmers was noticeable in
the crowds OF strangers on the streets and
around the hotels. Many Bryan and Sewall
clubs OF the neighboring towns of Mary
land and Virginia came in bodies, and
badges were seen everywhere. While the
gates Of the base ball park at North
Capitol and G streets were not opened un-
til o'clock. the streets adjacent to the
grounds were crowded with people long
before that time. and many boys and men
scaled the fence long before the opening
time, only to be driven out by the police
men and attendants who were present.
The police arrangements for the meeting
promise to be as complete and adequate as
they always prove In the national capital.
Maj. Moore issued an order yesterday di-
recting the lieuteEants of each of the nine
1recincts to detail a sergeant and ten pri-
Yates for duty at the meeting, and each of
the nine squads reported to Capt Austin
at the Pennsylvania station at . O'Clock
this afternoon and are now caring for the
crowds there. while patrol wagons are in
readiness to hurry them to Capitol Base
Ball Fark as soon as the train bearing
Candidate Bryan and his party arrives.
The Lakeland Democratic Club reached
the grounds few minutes after ) o'clock.
having paraded the avel.ue and the prin-
cipal streets with the Mt. Pleasant Field
Band Of eighty pieces at its head. A large
number CT flags and banners were carried
The most striking Of these was a blue silk
banner with a silver fringe and bearing in
silver letters the following:
Lakeland
Democratic
Club.
Maryland.
Bryan,
Champion
OF the