The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-04-18

New York, April 15.-The Dollar
form democrats, at the Grand Central
palace tonight in point of numbers was
one Of the biggest affairs ever held IN
this city. Nearly 5000 men and women
sat down at long tables in the various
rooms of the big palace. There were
all kinds of people there, dressed in all
kinds of clothes. White men elbowed
with colored men and white women
with colored women. There were Tour
japanese and three Chinese present,
but the Chinese were merely spectators
and sat up in the second gallery. They
said they had come to see Bryan.
The main hall presented different
aspect from that Of the Metropolitan
opera house at the Ten Dollar din
ner of the democratic club. There was
no flower embellishments, but just great
long avenues of tables covered with
plain white plates. The only orna-
mentations were punches of celery and
granite ware coffee pots. The boxes
about the hall were festooned with
flags, with silken banners suspended
between the flags. AT the back OF the
stage were two American flags draped,
one bearing the portrait Of Jefferson
and the other that Of Bryan. Small
portraits of Bryan were interspersed
between the flags on the balconies.
On the stage was an immense floral
horseshoe of carnations, roses and he
Rliotrophe. 1t had, worked in flowers, the
words "Women's Bryan League Be
low, in red carnations on white roses
was the name Bryan" surmountlng
ali the nuneralss"16 to l." Back on one
of the cane bottom chairs was mag
nificent bouquet of roses, American
Beauties. But not even on the guests
table was there a single flower.
Looking from the top tier the hall
presented a scene such as is seen at
western barbecues or Rhode Island
clambakes A brass band of thirty-five
pieces on the balcony discoursed music
throughout the evening.
The diners began to arrive at the
Grand Central palace at O'Clock.
There were $50 policemen in and about
the place.
The women to the number of AIS din
ed in the long hall just off the second
gallery. They sat down to the tables
at $50 o'clock.
The first excitement of the evening
occurred when the Russian-Amerlcan
democratic association, $50 strong, from
the Eighth assembly district marched
in. They were received with cheers.
There was no concerted attempt TO
seat the 5000 diners simultaneously
All were told to go in and sit down.
About o'clock nearly every seat OF
the mems tables was occupied, and
the service began. Over 600 walters
started into the main hall with soup a
few minutes before O'Clock. Ihe
menu included soup, roast peer, tur-
key, ice cream, coffee and cigars. Three
Thousand bottles of wine were gratu-
itously served by a wine company
William Jennings Bryan did not ar
rive until shortly after O'CLOCK
Crowds on the sidewalks signaled his
appearance by tremendous cheering
He came in a cab and was escorted
through a tremendous crowd TO tne
waiting room outside the main nall
Here he shook hands with the, com
mittee. Then he was escorted to the
guests table, a long table in front OF
the platform. Following came the
+ speakers of the evening.
. The band played Hail to the Chlef,
tas BRYAN was hurried down one OF the
sersrin aisles. There was tremendous
fraering and waving of napkins. DIN
forl stood on chairs and tables waving
Antically. The demonstration lastee
TAP five minutes.
on fmong those who sat at the guests
Ch4e were James r. Brown, presiding
P Ibis right w. J. Bryan; on his lef
of trles A. Towne of Minnesota; .. II
Mintelmont; VIM. S. McNary, secretary
Covina democratic state committee o.
Fredeasota; Mayor J. l.. Rhlmooks' o.
Williagton, Ky; Bolton Hall, George
Townsrick Williams, ex-Congressmaci u
Smith.m E. Ryan, of Rochester, A.
path. on, of Virginia; Colonei Ihol,ia
The Virginia, and John Clark hlu
was cotrowd was a thoroughly repre-
left the e one. and before the Dime
guests lcluded, hundreds of the diner
p. ,ir seats and crowded about Tn
table and began to shaks hand
with Colonel Bryan. This was Topped
with much difficulty. -
At o'clock the committe ana TN
speakers ascended to the PLATFORM
BRYAN received a vociferouS ovation
the diners in many instances agall
standing on chairs and tables ana IN
women waving napkins wildly
lanes r. Brown called the meetln'
4o order and introduced George Free
Williams, of Massachusetts, who wa
eiven a. fine reception. The crowd II
fha galleries meantime had increased
and fhere were as least 5000 people II
4he hail. The mention of Henr.
Georges name evoked an extraordinar.
demonstration.
q H. P. Belmont was next introduc
cd and read his speech from manu-
script.
jefferson.
A tremendous amount of cheering
and annlause greeted Mr.. Bryan, VIII
said in part:
and Gentlemen:-I esteem 1t grea