The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-04-19

ally interesting ana nearing lne mar
Vellously eloquent William Jennings
Bryan. 1t was throng that by it's
eagernCSs to see and hear. and It's al
most studied aversion ut display OF
enthusiasm made itself a contradiction
From the station to the meeting
place, a distance Of eight blocks, il was
with difficulty that the carriages con-
tanning the distinguished visitor and
his escort could make their way
through the crowds that fairly cholied
the streets, but there was at no time
anything approaching the demonstra-
tion of sympathizers that a throng half
its size couid show. There was cheer
ing and handclapping and other such
evidences Of sympathy, but it could
have been doubled and trebled without
earning for itself the dignity of the
term, ovation.
ARRIVED AT 8 O'CLOCK.
Mr.. Bryan and his party arrived from
Wilkes Barre over the Jersey Central
at o'clock. There were six coaches on
the special train that brought them
but only two of them were what ought
bc called filled.
Chief Robling and q squad of officers
for the party, but the crowd was un-
manageable and in consequence Mr..
Bryan and his escort had t. fairly fight
their way up the steps from the on
tariO and Western tracks, through Jhe
station and out to their carriages.
In front of the station a large crowd
was collected and a hearty cheer went
up when the commanding figure of the
great leader emerged from the door
way.
Mr.. Bryan was ushered into a flag
bedeckcd carriage with Judge F. w.
Gunster, Mayor James G.. Bailey and
Edward Merrfield. Four other car
riageS took on the remaining members
of the local reception committee, and
headed by the Forest band the march
to the armory proceeded, School Con-
troller Henry j. O'Malley, astride Il
praucing horse and waving a large
flag, leading the way.
The bridge was fairly alive with peo-
pie, many men and boys finding a
point of vantage atop the railings and
even up in the girders.
When LaCkaWanna avenue was
reached one continuous throng of peo-
lie extending all the way to the
armOry was encountered. Mounted
officers Burke and Dyer rode on either
side of the Bryan carriage to keep the
crowd at a respectable distance. The
route followed was up LaCkawanna to
Wyoming, to Spruce, TO Washington,
to Linden, to Adams to the armory.
There was a little red fire burned on
the balcony of the Valley house but
further than this there was no attempt
at pryroteChniCs.
OPEN AIR ADDRESS.
outside the armOry there was a large
massinG of people who were not in
clined to contribute the tax that the
committee levied at the door. Before
entering Mr.. Bryan made a short
speech.
He arose in the carriage and spoke
He said ne realized that he would not
be able within the armory to address
all these he saw about him and he
wanted to thank them for their pres
enCe. He did not COnstrue the gather
ing as a personal compliment to him
self but rather as an evidence that the
people of this prCgressivee city Were
thinking out for themselves the great
economic questions that are agitating
the country.
He then referred to the campaign OF
1896 and said they had advocated GER
tain principles, buC the people decided
that they did not want them just then
AS long as the people want a golC
standard they will have it, but they
who were in favor of the coinage %
silver at a ratio of 16 to l with gOlC
were in a measure content, for they
felt that the longer people have the
gold standard the more disgusted will
it they will be. a change is inevitable
1t was S.35 when Nh Bryan came iutC
the armory. lie found awaiting him
500 persons who had paiG 20 cents
apiece for reserved seats, 1,400 VIII,
had secured 25-Cent chairs, and three
or four hundred others who gave VI
this last amount for the privilege Oi
standing along the walls or in the real
of the space occupied by seats. An
other hundred or so formed i'm the small
gallery in the extreme rear of the hall
Trerc were quite as many Republicans
ana gold Democrats in the audience a:
Blyar men. and large number o.
ladies' were scattered through the from
rows of seats.
=, CHEER FOR BRYAN.
- here was "A hearty cheer when Mr.
Bryar walked down the aisle and tool
seat on the platform between hi
former neighbor j. NJ, Chance, and Ed
ward Merrifield. on either side of hin
and in the rear were Mayor Bailey
j. dge Gunster, City Treasurer c. G
Boland, T. j. Jennings, County Treas
uTer, W. j. Kelly, ID. L. O'Neil O
Wilkes Barre; Mayor James j. ONeil
of CaTbondale; w. II. Roe, Colone
Herman Osthaus, l.. T.. Wedeman, Cit,
Solicitor NJ. a. Mckinley, E. f. Blew
lit, Joseph Taylor, r. J. Beamish, d
]. Campbell, City Controller +. j. Rob
inson w. J. Dunn, Of Wilkes Barre
ana state Chairman John NJ. Garman
who modestly sought the seclusion 0
the rear row.
The anxious audience was kept wait
ing nearly a half hour for Bryan
speech by the bands selection and tn
PREDATORY addresses by Mr.. Boland an
Mr.. Merriield, the former eXtendin
welcome and the latter making the in
PRODUCTION.
When Mr.. Bryan arose he was greet
cd with the most enthusiastic cheer q
The evening. He seemed anxious 70 be
gin and raised his hand to petitio
silence. lie looked somewhat travel
worn, and this condition was mad
more evident by somewhat dlsheyele
hair and a crushed bouquet Of arbutu
worn in his left lapel,
Mr.. Bryan, in opening dsclaimo
beinR the representative Of any part
or his present visit, but said he sim
ply came as an American citizen an
would speak only as citizen, II an