The morning news., 1899-04-19
BRYAN AND THE NEW YORK DIN


! NERS.
What effect will the $40 Jeffersonian din
ner. the 81 Chicago platform dinner and
the 81 Jeffersonian dinner have on the
| chances of Mr.. Bryan for the presidential
nomination of the Democratic party?
/ They are causing a great deal of specula-
ton, and may have some influence in de-
termining the action of the Democratic
National Convention.
1t is said that Mr.. Bryan is not alto
gether satisfied with himself for refusing
to accept the invitation to The so Jeffer-
sonian dinner Of the Democratic Club. He
was asked about his refusal to attend that
dinner by the newspaper reporters last
Saturday. He declined to admit that he
was sorry that he refused and said his
reason was that Perry Belmont was pres
ident of the club. Mr.. Belmont took the
stump against him in 1896.
But it is evident that the dinner over
which Mr.. Belmont presided was a failure,
so far as the political purpose of 1t was
concerned. The intention of those who or
isinated it was to organize movement to
bring out a candidate for the presidential
nomination of the Democratic party in
opposition to Mr.. Bryan. Mr.. Augustus
Van Wyck was their candidate They had
him nominated for Governor of New
York for the purpose Of starting a presi-
Dental boom for him, and they were Bit
terly disappointed when he was defeated,
but they were not discouraged Mr.. Bry-
n 10 he
was both a surprise and a disappointment.
His refusal no doubt kept other Democrats
from outside the state away. The object
of the dinner was not therefore attained.
The plotting 10 bring about Mr. Bryan's
defeat is, however, as active as ever, If
there is anything in the reports which are
appearing in the public prints. The aim
is to get enough delegates to prevent the
nomination of Mr.. Bryan. When it is re-
membered that it takes two-thrds of the
convention TO nominate a candidate, 1t
can be seen that Mr.. Bryan cannot afford
to make many enemies.
But has Mr.. Bryan made any friends in
New York by allying himself with those
who got up the Chicago platform dinner
and those interested in the Jeffersonlan 81
dinner? He has undoubtedly, but they are
not friends who can help him in getting a
delegation from New York to the Demo-
cratic National Convention favorable to
his nomination. There were no prominent
Democratic leaders at the Chicago plat
form dinner. It is said there was not a
man there who could control a vote other
than his own. Even the leaders of the
Henry George element were noticeable for
their absence.
While the leaders of the Belmont Croker
dinner didn't accomplish all they expected
TO, it is certain that they will re-
tain control of the machinery of the
party, and will name the delegates
from New York to the Democratic Ma
tional Convention. If Mr.. Bryan should
be nominated, however the part he took
in the 81 dinners would have the effect of
making him votes in New York.
There is one factor in the situation which
must not be overlooked. 1t is the inves-
tgation of Tammanys rule in New York
city. If that investigation should show
Tammauy in a bad light Tammany's abn-
ity to get together a combination TO pre-
vent Mr.. Bryan's nomination would be
greatly weakened. All things considered. it
is probable that differences growing out
of the dinners in New York city have not
Iessened Mr.. Bryan's chances for the nom
ination.