The morning news., 1899-04-16
THOUSANDS OF DEMOCRATS
GATHERED AT THE GREAT CHI
CAGO PLATFORM DINNER,

Cheereu-NaIe0 Greater Demo-
crat Than JeRersOn-Mr. Bryan's
Platform Speech.
New York, April 15-The dollar Jefferson
dinner of the Chicago platform 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 an kinds of clothes. White
men elbowed with colored men and white
women with colored women.
There were four japanese and three Chi
nese present, but the Chinese were merely
spectators and sat up in the second gal
lery. They said they had come to see Bry-
an.
The main hall presented a different as
pect from that of the Metropolitan Opera
House at the ten-dollar dinner of the Dem
ocratic Club. There was no flower emhel-
llshment, but just great long avenues of
tables covered with plain white plates. The
onSy ornamentations were punches of eel
cry and granite ware coffee pots.
Decorations in the Hall.
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 hello
trope. 1t had, worked in flowers the
words "Women's Bryan League" Below
the red carnations on white roses was
the name Bryan" Surrounding all were
the numerals "16 to L.
Back on one of the cane-bottom chairs
was magnificent bouquet of roses, Amer
lean beauties. But not even on the
guests table was there a single flower.
Looking from the top tier the hall pre-
sented a scene, such as is seen at West
ern barbecues or Rhode Island clam
bakes. A brass band of thirty-five pieces
on the balcony diseoursed music through
QUE the evening. The diners began to ar
rive at.-ihe Grand Central Palace at 5
o'clock.
There were $50 policemen in and about
the place.
The women to the number of AIS dined
In the long hall just off the second gal
lery They sat down to the tables at $50
o'c,ock.
The First Excitement.
The first excitement of the evening oc-
CURED when the Russian-American Dem
ocratic Association, 25O 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 z
O'Clock nearly every seat at the mems ta-
oles We're occupied and the service began.
over 900 walters started into the main hail
with soup, few minutes before O'Clock
Inc menu included soup, fish, oast
beef, turkey, ice cream, coffee and cigars.
Ihree thousand bottles of wine were
eratutlously served by wine company.
Mr.. Bryan's Arrival.
William Jennings Bryan did not arrive
uhth shortly after O'clock Crowds on
the outside signalled his appearance by
tremendous cheering. He came in a cab
ana was escorted through tremendous
crowd to the waiting room outside the
man hall. Here he shook hands with the
committee. Then he was escorted to the
guests table, long table in front of the
platform.
Following came the speakers of the even
ing.
The band played Hail to the Chief as
Mr, Bryan was hurried down one OF the
main aisles. There was tremendous cheer
ing and waving of napkins. Diners stood
on chairs and tables waving franticaily
Ihe demonstration lasted for five minutes.
among those who sat at the guests ta-
Die We're James r. Brown, presiding; on
ms right, w. ]. Bryan; on his left, Charles
a. Iowne of Minnesota; Q. II. P. Belmont,
w WHlam S. McNary, secretary of the Dem
ocratic state committee of Minnesota;
mayor ]. l.. Rhimooks of Covington. KY,
Bolton Hall, George Frederick Williams,
eN-Congressman William f. Ryan of
Kochester, A. s. Townson Of Virginia. Col.
Ihomas Smith of Virginia and John Clark
Rdpath.
Crowded Around Bryan.
The crowd was thoroughly representa-
i've one, and before the dinner was con-
Cluded hundreds of the diners left their
seats and crowded about the guests table
ana began to shake hands with Col. Bry-
an This was stopped with much diff
Guilty.
AT o'clock the committee and the
speakers escended to the platform.
Mr., Bryan received vociferous ovation,
the diners in many instances again stand
waving napkins wildly.
James r. Brown called the meeting to
oruer and introduced George Fred Will
i'ihs or Massachusetts, who was given a
Hhe reception The crowd i'm the galleries
meantime had increased, and there were
az least 5000 people in the hall The men,
uoh OF Henry Georges name evoked an
extraordinary demonstration.
~ II. Z. Belmont was next introduced,
ana read his speech from manuscript
Greater Than Jefferson.
John Clark Ridpath spoke on Thomas
1enerson.' When Mr.. Ridpath said that
1eHerson stood above Adams and Otis and
was lhe most intellectual Democrat that
ever hNed a hundred voices shouted, NO,
no. Bryan"
Mf, Williams whispered something TO
ar, hidpath. and the LATER replied:
= accept The suggestion" and bowed 10
20" bfyan. ~ the close Of Mr. Ridpath'a
speecn horseshoe OF flowers was pre-
cd. -