The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1899-04-01
Croker and Bryan

The Washington, d c.. Times says
Mr. Croker and Mr. Bryan have finally
crossed swords in what may become q
fight to the death, politically speaking
Some time ago Mr. Croker decided to
give an elaborate banquet on Jefferson
birthday. April l3 The Metropolitan
Opera House. in New York. was hired
for the occasion and over 1. 200 invita-
tions were issued The announcement
was made that the dinner was to be a
very elaborate affair that il was TO cost
$40 plate, and would probably settle
the political future Of the Democratic
party for the next decade at least Mr.
Crocker's invited guests included vii
liam J. Bryan, Grover Cleveland and
nearly all Of the men who have been
prominently identified with the Demo.
cratic party daring recent years Mr.
Bryan. acknowledged Mr. Crocker's in
vitation. which was conveyed through
Perry Belmont, the president Of Mr.
Croker club, by asking whether Mr.
Belmont had publicly proclaimed his
conversion TO the doctrine enunciated
in the Democratic platform Of 1896 In
replying, Mr. Belmont evaded makire
direct answer to Mr.. Bryan's query
He stated that the invitations TO the
dinner were issued by the club and
without regard 10 the individual opin'
ions Of anyone All Democrats. he de-
clared. ought to Join together in honor
ing the memory of Thomas Jefferson.
So far as can be learned, Mr. Bryan has
made no reply to Mr. Belmonts last
communication. 1t is safe to say that
he will not dine with Mr.. Croker and
Mr.. Belmont upon the date mentioned
! 1t is believed that Mr. Bryan will be 10
New York on the night Of April IS
however. and that he will not have to
skirmish for place to dine. He will
be the guest Of the Democrats Of New
York who have the courage to stand
up for the Chicago platform. They
have engaged the Grand Central Palace,
over in Lexington Avenue, a building
which, il not quite as fashionable can
accommodate a larger company than
the Metropolitan Opera House The
dinner to which Mr. Bryan has accept
ed an invitation will only cost 81 plate.
Evening dress will not be required. but
the guests will include most of the
prominent national leaders Of the Demo.
cratic party. Among those who will
be present at the Grand Central Palace
one-dollar dinner are James Jones,
John p Altgeld, Joseph W Bailey,
George Fred Williams William J. Stone
Charles A Towne. and Benjamin r
Tillmsn. Very few men Of national
prominence will be. il is understood.
at the Crocker. Belmont dinner. There
will be. it 10 asserted. practically no
one OF any consequence from outside
the limits Of the State Of New York
The contest between the two dinners
will be most marked MI. Croker and |
his friends naturally resent the rude
inAasion of their territory by the ad-
herents Of Mr.. 81 IN, but il 10 said
that they will have still further cause
for complaint before many weeks 90 /
by. In word, it is understood that .
Mr.. Bryan aud his friends have decid-
ed to beard the Croker lion in his !
lair that the Jefferson dinner at the /
Grand Central Palace is but the pre-
liminary to the beginning Of the vigor'
ous campaign in New York against Mr. /
Orocker and the Democrats who refuse
to subscribe to the tenets of the Chicago |
platform. 1t is the purpose Of the
Bryan people to go ahead and elect della
gates to the Democratic National Con-
veption next year with the assurance
that the convention will admit their
men and turn down Orooker's Mr..
Orocker has challenged Mr.. Bryan to
. contest on the sacred soil of the EN-
pire State. and the challenge has been
accepted. Will it result in the elimi.
nation of Mr.. Croker from the field Of
national and even State politics. Such
a result is within the range Of probabili.
ties, according to the friends OF the
Nebraska statesman.