Birmingham state herald., 1897-02-28
MIR BRYAN IN WASHINGTON The White Metal Champion Given
 a Cordial Reception. A BANQUET IN HIS HONOR Distinguished Members of Both Parties Gather at MT. McLean's Residence-Mr. Tomn-
 son, of Alabama, One of the Guests.
Washington Times.

WaSn1ngtOn Il1neS.
 Hon W. J. Bryan could scarcely have again participated in the social life of the national capital under more agree able and distinguishing circumstances than those which made him the guest of honor at the banquet rendered to him last evening by Col. John R. Mclean It might be also said with equal truth that there has not been in Washing ton this season a more historical or well come visitor than the hero of the bril- liant campaign of '96 no matter who won the material victory.
 MT. Bryan is historical because he made himself so by the force of his ge- nius; he is picturesque by providence, and he is popular from shore to shore for both of these reasons. It has been such a short time ago since he was re garded as the arch exponent or all the political and economic obliquft1eS that there was just the least bit of philosoph- ical and dramatic suggestion last night in his surroundings Of course, there was no politics at the feast, nothing ln- deed reminiscent of thnt recently stalk ing skeleton, but in that very fact could be found another tribute to the guest or honor.
 It was quite evident from the fact that nobody of any consequence had decliTs1 10 De present at LHlS rove least IiIdl dl. was an easy undertaking for the host 10 ga ther around the festive board the exact number of soldiers of all arms that used to be commanded by the hospitable Roman Centurian It was equally evil dent from the courteous and enthusiaS tic greeting of MT. Bryan by the other guests that he had borne himself right we'll in the late fight and had so con- served it's proprie ties as to have retained all of his former official and social friend ships.
 It might not be inapt also to say that considering the happy reunion of chief tains on both sides of the famous fifty three cent dollar problem, and the ex- quisite scene in the banquet room that Col. Mclean had in mind to realize the pretty phrase of the appls of gold in baskets of silver.
 The guests were exactly q hundred in number and were representative of the business, social and political life, not only of the capital, but of this and other coun- tries. There were men there who not only have made but are still making, his tory, and men who write history with equal fidelity to truth on opposite sides of the recent fiery campaign.
 The number of the guests made it nec- esSary to make one of the beautiful art gallery and the ball room, for which pur- pose the massive doors between the two were thrown open. The arrangement was made So that the archWay between .- the apartments was midway over the ta- ble The adornment of the table was rich and gorgeous, the distinctive feature be- ing meteor roses, which were disposed in clusters and oblong banking from one end to the other The red color was re- Iieved here and there by bits of trailing green The centerpiece was basket of magnificent roses, interspersed with ferns resting on mirror in frame of Vene- tian gold. At equal distances from the ma assive decoration were two epergnes of crystal. filled with flowers and Farley enses ferns The light was furnished by a double row of candelabra, the candles being shaded by red tissue and filigree: besides these being a sufficient number of single candlesticks and lights placed here and there among the floral effects, the great volume of illumination being from above.
 These features give, of course. only a fair idea of the general effect of the table, which was enhanced by the architectu- ral beauty of the rooms, with their rich and curious carvings, in old oka, and especially the superb mantel at the south end of the gallery. The interest of and in the highly artistic scene was heighten- ed by the music which was made by the Marine Band, under the direction of Prof Fanciulli.
 The head of the table was at the south end of the room. At the head sat the host. on his left being MT. Bryan. On MT Bryans right were Senator German Bryan's wis a wis down the long, gilt tering cista at the other end of the table was Senator J. K. Jones, of Arkansas, op- posite Col Mclean being Senator Tell or, of Colorado.
 The other guests were distributed with out distinction of place, and were as fol- lows:
 Hon. Charles A. Town, MT. Dixon. Rep resen tive Amos J. Cummings. Senator White. of California; Mir. Joseph Hickey Mr. William C.. MacBrde. MT. Edwin Warfield, of Maryland Mir. Victor Baughman, of Maryland; Gov. Kellogg, MT. R. T. Hough. of Ohio. Mir. Scott.