Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-03-17
RIVAL DEMOCR ATTIC BANQUETs.
Bryan May Attend One of Them-O.
ii. u. Belmont Leaves Croker.
lNcW J DIX JOUfnJIJ
WHY BELMONT RESIGNED

NY reason for resigning was that the
excessive advertising I'm advance of the
date Of the dinner and the magnitude Of
its size gave the right to every one to sup
pose that II was TO be a reunion Of all
prominent Democrats-local. State, and
national The announcement that only
State Democrats were TO be invited i'm
mediately gave IL another aspect, and ]
considered it bad policy and ill-advised,
and resigned on that account. ! trust
that the last departure that l have read
Of in the papers inviting Democrats out
side of the State may tend to make the
proposed dinner a reinstatement Of
Oliver II. p. Belmont.
William Jennings Bryan's quasi declna-
ton of the Democratic Clubs $lO-a-plate
Thomas jefferson dinner invitation
caused the birth Of n movement last
night for a rival sl-a-plate banquet, to
be attended only by those who were
loyal I'm 1896, and at which Mr.. Bryan has
been asked TO be the guest of honor.
simultaneously with a meeting TO organ
ize FOR the new enterprise came the with
drawal Of O. II. =. Belmont brother Of
President Perry Belmont, as a member Of
the Democratic Club Committee on
Speakers and Invitations. OF which Rich
ard Croker is the chairman.
In "A statement issued by Mr.. Belmont,
which appears in full elsewhere, he gives
as his reason the fact that he regards II
bad policy and ill-adyised 10 restrict the
feast, as decided by the Board of Gov
errors TO Democrats within the State. in
stead of extending a welcome 10 Demo
Gratis throughout the country.
one of Mr. Belmont's intimate friends
made this statement last night: There
Is a row in the Democratic club because
a portion of the membership is opposed 90
the attitude assumed by those who have
taken il upon themselves 10 arrange the
programme for the dinner" Friends of
O. III. Il. Belmont who has Withdrawn
as a member Of the Committee on Speak
ers and Invitations, say that the publi-
cation of the correspondence between
Bryan and Perry Belmont. president of
the club, has caused a great deal of com
ment.
MANY SUSTAIN BRYAN'S STAND.
Some OF them are OF the opinion that
Mr. Belmonts answer was very diplo-
matte, and was sent by good advice.
Others OF them say that Bryan was right
TO make sure OF what was considered "A
Democratic dinner before he, as the late
presidential nominee Of the Democratic
party. agreed to be present. for the simple
fact that so much notoriety has been
given through the press and from the club
Itself of the magnitude OF the political
influence that this dinner was 10 have.
They claim that the different positions
taken by the managers of the dinner
from time 10 time We're too varied They
began with announcing a banquet to which
all prominent Democrats would be invited
and finally dwindled down 10 only New
York State Democrats. This latter posi-
ton was the cause OF great deal of dis
satisfaction outside the limits of the club
DIS well as within its own membership.
and a great deal OF the interest i'm il was
lost. This was the real reason for the
withdrawal of O. Ill. Il. Belmont from the
Committee on Speakers Members OF the
club also say that the sudden change In
the programme will tend to give 1t not
more than local success
II was Chairman Eugene V. Brewster,
of the Advisory Board OF the Democratic
National Ways and Means Committee
Chicago Platform Democrats, who last
night invited twenty-five or more OF the
faithful Bryan men 10 his home. No. 800
Monroe street. Brooklyn. After nearly
two'hours' consultation IL was determined
TO give a dinner at the Madison Square
Garden. II IL can be secured, on the same
night on which the Democratic Club ban
quet occurs The cost per plate will be 81
or less. Mr. Bryan, former Governor Ait
geld. of Illinois: Governor Pingrec, OF
Michigan; Mayor Jones. OF Toledo, and