The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-04-16
Speeches, However, Were All on the
I6-to-1 Ratio, and the Enthusi-
asm Wild and Unlimited.
AN OVATION TO COL. BRYAN
GREETED WITH FRANTIC CHEERING
AND THROWING OF HATS.
Little New In His Speech-Dr. Ridpath
Forced to Give Due Credit to
Democracy's New Jefferson.

NEW YORK, April 15.-The dollar Jeffer-
son dinner OF the Chicago platform Demo-
Gratis 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 at 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 four Japanese and three
Chinese present, but the Chinese were mere
ly spectators and sat up in the second gall
lery. They said they had come TO see Bryan.
The main hall presented d different aspect
from that OF the Metropolitan Opera House
at the SO dinner OF the Democratic Club.
There were no flower embellishments, but
just great, long avenues OF tables covered
with plain white plates. The only ornaments
were punches OF celery and granite-ware
coffee pots.
The boxes about the hall were festooned
with flags, with silken banners suspended be-
tween the flags. AT the back of the stage
were two American flags draped, one bear
ing the portrait of jefferson and the other
the portrait of Bryan Small portraits of
Bryan were interspersed between the flags
on the balconies On the stage was an i'm
mense floral horseshoe of carnations, roses
and heliotrope 1t had worked in flowers,
the words "Women's Bryan League" Be-
low in red carnations white roses was the
name Bryan" Surrounding all were the
numerals '16 to l." Back on one OF the
cans bottom chairs was a magnificent
bouquet of roses. American Beauties. But
not even on the guests table there a
single flower.
Looking up from the top tier the hall pre-
sented a scene such as is seen at Western
barbecues or Rhode Island clam bakes. 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 80
policemen in and about the place The
women. TO the number OF 40 dined 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 oc-
Cured when the Russian-American Demo-
cratic Association, go strong, from the
Eighth Assembly district, marched In. They
were received with cheers.
FREE WINE SERVED
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 table was
occupied and the service began. Over sixty
walters started out into the main hall with
soup n few minutes before O'Clock. The
menu included soup, fish, roast beef, turkey
fee cream, coffee and cigars. Three thou
sand bottles of wine were gratuitously
served by a wine company.
W. j. Bryan did not arrive until shortly
after o'clock. Crowds on the outside sig
nailed his appearance by tremendous cheer
ing. He came in cab and was escorted
through a tremendous crowd TO the waiting
room outside the main 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 evening. The band played
Hail to the Chief as Bryan was hurried
down one or the main aisles. There was
tremendous cheering and waving OF nap
kins- Diners stood on chairs and tables
waving frantically. The demonstration
lasted for five minutes.
Among those who sat at the guests table
were: James r Brown, presiding: on his
right. W. J. Bryan; on his left, Charles A.
Towne. of Minnesota: o. II. p. Belmont:
William S. McNary, secretary of the Dem
ocratic State committee of Minnesota:
Mayor ]. L. Rhinock. of Covington, Ky;
Bolton Hall. George Frederick Williams, ex-
Congressman William L. Ryan of Roches-
ter, Colonel Thomas Smith Of Virginia and
John Clark Ridpath.
The crowd was a thoroughly representa-
tive one and before the dinner was con-
cuded hundreds of the diners left their
seats and crowded about the guests table
and began to shake hands with Colonel
Bryan This stopped with much diff
Guilty.
AT o'clock the committee and speakers
assembled to the platform. Bryan received
q vOciferouS ovation. the diners I'm many in
stances again standing on chairs and tables,
and the women waving napkins wildly
James r Brown called the meeting to or
der and introduced George Frederick VII
liams, OF Massachusetts. who was given a
fine reception. The crowds in the galleries
meantime had increased and there were at
least 500 in the hall. The mention Of Henry
Georges name evoked an extraordinary
demonstration.
q. H. Il. BELMONT READS A SPEECH
o. II z. Belmont was next introduced
and read his speech from manuscript. He
said in part:
I'VE have reached point when Dcmoc-
racy must rule, or the heirs TO this greatest
Republic that We know OF must bow their
nscks 10 the most powerful putOcracy the
world has ever known-mind you not even
national piutocracy. but an international
plutocracy without faith or kin which will
drag us 10 the most ablect slavery. I am
no hater of money or wealth and I doubt
the honesty of any one who Is but [ do
hate the one who does not understand the
words Live and let live
The issue will be in 1900 are we 10 be
controlled by the cosmopolitan money power
or are we 10 be freemen Of this great Re
Bublie? Nothing more. nqihing. less. The
side OF the trusts. which Means the as
sured wealth OF the few and the unremit-