Goldsboro weekly argus. [volume] (Goldsboro, N.C.) 1885-1909, 1899-04-20
THE ONE DOLLAR DINNER.
Big In Point of Numbers

nignC, IN pOinL OF 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 pal
ace. There we're all kinds of peo-
pie there, dressed in all kinds of
clothes. White men elbo we'd with
colored men and white wcLlen
with colored women, There were
four 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 a DIFF
ferent aspect from the Metropoli-
tan Opera House at the ten-dollar
dinner Of the Democratic Club.
There was no flower embelish
ment, but just great long avenues
Of tables covered with plain white
plates. The only ornamentations
we're lunches of celery and gran
itewale-coffee pots. The boxes
about the hall were festooned with
fage, with silken banners suspend
ed between the flags. At the back
of the stage were two American
flags draped, one bearing the por-
trait 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 heliotrope. It had, work.
ed in flowers, the words "Women's
Bryan League" Below the red
carnations IN white roses was the
name "Bryan." Surrounding all
were the numerals "16 to l."
Back of one of the cane-boit, IN
chairs was a magnificent 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 clam bakes. A brass
band of Il irty-five pieces on the
balcony discoursed music through
out the evening. The diners began
to arrive at the Grand Central
Pslace at 5 o'clock.
There were $50 policemen in
and about the place.
The women to the number of
475 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-Ameri-
can Democratic Association, $50
strong, from the Eighth Assembly
District, marched in. They were
received with cheers.
There was no concerted attempt
to seat the 3, 900 diners simulta-
neously. All were told to go in
and sit down. About seven O'Clock
nearly every seat of the mems ta~
BILE was occupied and the service
began. Over 600 walters started
into the main hall with soup a few
minutes before Z O'Clock.
The menu included soup, fish,
roast beef, turkey, ice cream coffee
aud cigars.
Three thousand bottles of wine
were gratuitously served by a wine
company.
William Jennings Bryan did not
arrive until shortly after Z o'clock.
Crowds on the outside signalled
his appearance by tremendous
cheering. He came in a cab and
was escorted through a tremendous
crowd to the waiting room outside,
Here he shook hands with the
committee. 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
Chief" as Bryan was buried
down n of the main aisles.
There was tremendous cheering
and waving of napkins.
Diners stood on chairs and
tables waving frantically. The
demonstration lasted for five min
utes.
Among those who sat at the
guests table were:
James E. Brown, president; on
his right, W. j. Bryan; on his