Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-04-14
DEMOCRATIC DINNER
New York Clubs Banquet a
Great Success,
TABLES LIKE BEDS Of ROSES
Guests Hardly Able to See Each Other
Oyer thc Floral Banks.
THERE ARE FULLY 1,sOO DINERS.
The Largest Number Ever Accommo.
dated mt n banquet In New York;
The Leading Speakers Perry Bcls
mont md Augustus Van Wyck.
THERE ARE FULLY I,soo DINERS.

10 the floor OF the vast dining hall. tho
tables seemed like great beds OF roses.
The thirty-two tables were on either side
Of the two guest tables. Each table was
piled with a mass OF roses and ferns in
tertwined. SO abundant were the flowers
that some OF the guests were hardly able
TO see each other over the floral banks.
Swans and vases of alabaster held
flowers; there were cornucopias or horns
of plenty, filed with flowers and fruit.
and the scene was set off with ribbons Of
cardinal silk.
BANQUET-HALL IMMENSE.
The floor Of the auditorium was raised
10 q leyel with that OF the stage by
temporary floor. making one rectangular
room Of immense size. The tables were
set i'm rows parallel with Thirty-ninth
and Fortleth streets. The guests OF honor
were at two tables about under the pros
cenlum arch, and at right angles to the
other tables. The stage was set with
gorgeous palace scene of the Court OF
Louis XIV. Four great electric chande-
Hers lighted up the picture.
JEFFERSON IN INCANDESCENT
FRAME.
Conspiciously placed al the west end II
the dning-hall was the inscriptions:
jefferson.
'l743-lS99.
Democratic club"
This was composed Of incandescont
lights II surrounded a picture OF Thomas
jefferson.
The tail silver candelabra. with shades
harmonizing with the floral effect, were
on all the tables.
The guests began 10 arrive az o'clock,
but the dinner did not begin Tor an hour
and a half after that
SPECIAL POLICE PRECAUTIONS.
Captain Price. OF the Tenderlon Pre-
cinct. ana forty-two policemen. were n
and around the building. \ Gordon OF
bicycle policemen also surrounded the
building A crank letter Of a few days
ago in which threat was made TO blow
up the building during the dinner. seemed
TO have made the policemen unusually
viglant. \ number OF detective ses-
geants, I'm evening dress, mingled with
the guests, to see that no unbdden per-
son might enter. There We're a number
Of fremen also on guard, to prevent any
danger from fire.
JEFFERSONTAN COLORS.
Inside the building was an army OF
ushers and attendants. These wore drab
uniforms, with silver buttons.
EIGHTEEN HUNDRED DINERS.
There were fully three hundred moro
guests than the fifteen hundred planned
for. but all found seats. This Is said 20
be the largest number ever accommodated
at a banquet in the history OF this city.
CROKER ARRIVES.
The band struck up Hail 10 the Chief'
at 1880 o'clock, and Richard Croker. arm
in-arm with John Stanchheld, marched
down the aisle. With them were Fred
erlck G. Schraub. Robert y. Roosevelt
General j. Catln. and Amos J. Cum
mlngs.
SOME CONFUSION.
The service Of the menu was excellent.
hut some confusion was caused by some
oil the diners stripping the tables OF
flowers and ribbons and throwing them
10 the women m the boxes. Mr.. croker
held n levee Just before the regular
speech-maklng began. The confusion
was very great As the time grew near
for making the speeches The orators
were almost discouraged az the prospect
Of making themselves heard.
BELMONT AND VAN WYCK.
o'clock. and the uprOar was so great
that he could not be heard a hundred
feet away. by degrees more quiet was
obtained. Mr. Belmont spoke on the
achievements and teachings OF Jefferson.
Nr. Belmont introduced Augustus Van
Wyck. by referring 10 the latters cam
vass for Governor. He said Judge Van
Wvck had conducted a campaign with
honor to himself and credit 70 the Democ"
racy.
Judge Van Wyck was received with
great applause. lie spoke on our Coun-
try aud Her Commerce"
At the conclusion OF Judge Van Wyck's
speech many persons left the hail.
VAN WYCK'S HITS"
References by Judge Van Wyck 10
trusts" the state canals" and the
OF an alliance with Great
seemed TO attract more atten-
ton than anything else he said. and these
utterances were applauded. with much
show Of spirit.
John Il. stanchneld. responding 10
Thomas Jefferson" had much difficulty
In making himself heard
The hall was half empued when Mr.
stanchaeld finished his speech, but the
noise had not diminished.
RECEPTIONS IN THE BOXES.
not a little 20 the general confusion. ant
made the task of the speakers more DIX
icult
Frederick c. Schraub, who spoke or
.The State Democracy" was heard much
better than any OF the other speakers
There were scarcely four hundred diners
In the hall when Mr.. Schraub concluded
bis speech.
y B. ROOSEVELT. .CATLIN-CCM
MiNGS.
Robert II. Roosevelt followed. lie 70
snonded 10 the sentiment. Harmony 10
the Democratic party. North, South. East
and West-the only salvation Of American
Mr. Roosevelt was followed by General
isaac Catlin. who spoke OH THE Democ'
facy OF Brooklyn
Congressman Amos ]. Cummings thee
spoke on 'The Army and the Navy"
The Fourth Tennessee Volunteers reach
"a Savannah from ull4Fantfn. Iasf night