Great Falls weekly tribune., 1896-10-02
RECORD BROKEN
Tammany Hall Gives Bryan a Recep.
tiOn Before Which All 9th
ers Pale.
EXCITEMENT UNPRECEDENTED
Chicago Platform and Nominees In.
d0rsed Without Any Res.
ervatiOn.

New YORK, Sept. 29.-Whether it may
be set down to enthusiasm for the can
date or the natural curiosity that pre-
dominates the American public, it is
nevertheless fact that the demonstra-
ton that greeted William Jennings
|lyan tonight in this city was most re-
markable in its character. Blockaded
streets, crowded auditorium; besieged
speaking stands and crowds that defed
the energy of the police in their stability,
were some of the features. Tammany
Hall, that had made the arrangements
for the welcome and reception, outdid
itself in SO doing. Tammany is noted
for enthusiastic assemblages, and to-
night, within the big assembly hall, the
members tore the air with shouts Of ap.
proval of the candidates, of the Ameri-
can flag and of every comment that
savored either OF patriotism or of loyalty
to democratic principles.
Every man who entered was presented
with flags, the effect being that whom
anything pleased the audience, the
crowded hall seemed one huge wave
of stars and stripes. So, too, Tammany
is cosmopolitan, and on several stands
there waved with the predominant "Star
Spangled Banner" the flags of Ireland,
Italy, Germany and the Union Jack of
England. When Leader John G. Shee-
han of Tammany issued the invitation
to the general public to be present at
the out'of-door meetings, he probably
little expected the vast crowds that filled
two-thirds of Union square, two blocks of
Fourteenth street in front Of Tammany
hall, the plaza. and made Fourth ave.
nue. absolutely impossible. As early as
Z O'Clock, Tammany hall was jammed to
the doors and the police were wrestling
with the thousands outside who demand.
admission which, when they did not
get it, drove them to the various stands
erected at vantage points within the
space of six blocks OF Tammany. A
small army Of policemen fought and
struggled with the crowd to keep the
streets open for traffic, but they soon
gave it up and allowed them to stand
massed in front Of the stands. The po-
lice who escorted Bryan through the
lines had to fight like tigers, the people
refusing to move even when the horses
almost trampled upon them. However,
soon after Bryan entered Tammany hall,
q driving rain storm started and it was
not long before at least half the crowd
had sought shelter. Many went home,
but many others sought nearby shell
ter, waiting for the candidate
At 7:45 o'clock, John w. Keller was
presented as presiding officer of the
Tammany hall meeting, and he accepted
the place with brief but ringing speech
on the evils Of the gold standard. When
Keller concluded, stirring set OF resolu-
tions we're read and adopted with a
whoop.
At three minutes past eight o'clock a
commotion in the rear Of the stage sent
q fresh buzz of excitement through the
crowd and an instant later the police
plowed narrow passsgewsy which re-
vealed the figure Of Bryan.
On either side Of him were Arthur
Sewall, vice presidential candidate, and
George Fred Williams, just nominated
by three conventions for the governor
chip Of Massachusetts. The ensuing
scene has never been equaled in old
Tammany. The crowd fell into a frenzy
and their tremendous volume Of sound,
which began then, ended exactly seven
minutes later, and all the while the air
was Kaleidoscope with waving hats and |
flags, During the demonstration Bryan
stood erect, gazing directly before him
There Was gratified smile on his lips
and gleam Of joy in mis- eyes. Eventu-
ally he raised his hand and secured |
silence.
When Bryan had finished his speech |
he showed signs of exhaustion. Sewall
was introduced and while many of the
were leaving made a few re.
marks of thanks for the reception.
Many people crowded upon the stands
to shake hands with the candidates.
Notwithstanding the steady down
pour, there were immense assemblages in
'front.' of Tammany hall.
Booked for Ten Speeches.