The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1896-09-03
WILD RUSH
Of Excited People to Listen to Bryan'S
MaSteriul Words.
At Jamestown, N. Y, it Reaches
q Dangerous Crush.
10000 SHRIEKING THROATS
Welcome the Great Democratic Leader Into a
Republican Stronghold.

hall at Cerlin, on Lake Qhamplain, two
miles from this place. There were pres
ent as many people as the hall would
hold to hear the presidential candidate
and the rush to get in came near re-
sulting in panic. The hall has seats
for 5000, but there were $4,000 inside
and standing room was at a premium
before the speech-making began.
Mr.. and Mrs. Bryan, Mr.. and Mrs.
Jos. Sibley and members of the local
committee, pushed their way through
crush on the platform to the chairs
reserved for them at 8 O'Clock. The can
didate was instantly recognized and
the cheer which his entrance kindled
was more intense and shriIl than any
which he has heard since the Chicago
convention. All the people stood on
their chairs, filling the auditorium with
a storm of applause. They did not give
orderly cheers but sent up continued
shrek which lasted for several min
utes. A choir on the stage started to
sing "The Star Spangled Banner, " and
before the end of the first sentence was
reinforced by thousands of voices, max
ing a great chorus.
When Mr.. Rryan was introduced the
trouble began. The audience climbed
upon their chairs to cheer and did not
climb down. Mr.. Bryan appealed to
them to be seated and his appeals were
entirely ineffective. He stood for five
minutes making his endeavor and all
the time more people crowded into the
the doors and climbed in the windows.
There were thousands outside and few
policemen to keep them back. Viewed
from the platform the whole auditori-
um was a struggling mob while. over
head men clung like monkeys to the
rafters. There were 500 people in the
center aisle and those in front were in
danger of being crushed to death.
Women were shrieking and on the
platform the few ladies there sat with
white faces. Mrs. Bryan smiled ner-
vously for it looked as though the peo-
pie below would be pushed into the
stage.
Mr.. Bryan, Mr.. Sibley and several
committeeman took turns appealing to
those in the aisles and the back of the
hall to go out but they could not, al
though many tried, One man in the
gallery got hearing and yelled "For
Gods sake go out; there will be a
panic people will be killed"
Another in the pit called out: "Don't
speak, Bryan, don't. Go home. This
is dangerous. "
Mr.. Bryan said that he would not
speak and started to leave, Mr.. Sibley
making the announcement that the
meeting would haye to be abandoned
unless part of the audience could be
driven out. Half a dozen policemen
struggled to clear the middle aisle.
Word was finally shouted that Mr.
Sibley would make an outdoor speech.
Thirty-fve minutes after Mr.. Bryan
had first attempted to speak he made
the second beginning and the speech
was providentially finished without
incident.
In the crowds outside, however
many persons were squeezed until they
tainted before Mr.. Sibley created {
diversion by speaking from a stanC
some distance from the hall.
The enthusiasm of the night, apar
from its troubles, was greater than Mr.
Bryan has seen since the Chicago con
ventiou. His speech was devoted t,
the financial question, and in beginning
it he said that if the people crowded S,
to hear about free silver in the banne
republican county, he would not dar
to bring them out in a democrati
county.
The address delivered by Mr.. Bryal
was largely on the lines of his speec'
at Hornellsville today.
He accused his political opponents q
having brought about panic to secur
the accomplishment of private ends
He said they had forced issue afte
issue of bonds regardless of principl
and of the taxpayers who had to pa
the prices. Hespoke of the Democrat
administration as one whose financii
policy had aroused the ire of producer
of wealth. The republican party, b
said, lost its opportunity in not d.
nouncing that policy and not offerin
to give the people silver. If the repul
lican party had espoused the cause {
the people no human agency said Nj
Bryan, could have prevented its victor
in this campaign. He laid particuli
stress upon the claim of the republica