New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-03-22
BELNONT',S REPLY TO BRYAN
ADDITIONS TO THE LETTER SENT TO THE
DEFEATED CANDIDATE.
CROKER CR1TrcrsEs THE CoLONEIIs ATTITUDE
AND SAYS WE ARE FOR PEACE AND HAR-
MONY" - THE DOLLAR DINNER
MEN At WORK.

AND SAYS WE ARE FOR PEACE AND HAR-
MoNY" THE DOLLAR DINNER
MEN At WORK
The main subject Of gossip in political circles
yesterday was the controversy between William
J. Bryan and Perry Belmont. president of the
Democratic Club. over the latter's invitation to
! the former to attend the Democratic Club din
ner at the Metropolitan Opera House on the
night OF April 13 Several politicians said
that Mr.. Bemonts action in sending book Of
his speeches TO Mr.. Bryan to read was too Sc
we're punishment for the refusal Of Mr. Bryan
10 attend Mr. Crokers feast. Mr. Croker per
sOnally was inclined TO be bland and magnani-
nous. He was not inclined To discuss Mr..
Bryans declinaton TO attend the SO dinner
and conditional acceptance Of an invitation TO
the other dinner. He said. however. that Mr.
Bryan's refusal to be present would not put an
end to the dinner proposed. and that all plans
were being carried out. He added that ne was
assured that il would be a great
Mr.. Croker asked to explain some seem
ing discrepancies In his statements TO the
dinner He was reminded that from day to day,
after the fact that such dinner was to be
given became known, he had declared positively
that no one had been invited. Then he had sud
denly announced that no Democrat outside OF
the State had been invited or would be invited.
In the light of Mr.. Bryan's letter he was asked
TO explain these facts. He replied that when
IT had been decided to give dinner II was pro-
! posed that several prominent Democrats from
other States be among the guests Mr.. Bryan
was one of those named Later it had been de-
cided to confne the invitation list TO New York
State Ex-senator Hill had been invited. but
so far no reply had been forthcoming Mr..
Croker continued:
GOOD-FEIIOWSHTP AND HARMONY.
I'VE wanted a dinner Of good fellowship and
party harmony. Personal creeds were to he
eliminated and we wanted all Democrats 10 sit
down together in peace and harmony and DO
honor to the great Jefferson. If the National
leaders Of the Democratic party. however wish
to disrupt the party in this State and over the
country generally let them go ahead. but IL is
not my policy. I would unite the party and
take back all Democrats, no matter what they
have done. II they want to come back. II is
going to be hard enough to win next year even
with united party, and favor getting all
factions together. We have just much right
to oppose free silver at 16 to ! as Mr.. Bryan
has to oppose gold It is matter OF opinion.
and ought not to divide the party. Whatever
hanpens. the Democratic Club cannot be blamed.
We are for peace and harmony. The protest of
Mr. BRYAN against the cost Of the dinner is in
consistent 7 attended dinner in Washington
at which Mr. Bryan was guest, and II cost $40
plate. Big dinners put money into circulation
and help all classes of tradespeople. l do not
see any harm in them"
ADDITIONS TO THE LETTER
Perry Belmont yesterday gave out the ap
pended additions to his letter 10 William J.
Bryan in reply to Mr. Bryan's letter declining
the invitation 70 the CrOker-Jefferson ten-dol-
lar dinner. and questioning Mr. Bemonts De-
mocracy. owing 10 his opposition to the Chicago
platform Part Of Mr.. Bemonts letter was
published yesterday morning. The additional
paragraphs follow:
In March. 1896. protested against the issue Of
bonds merely 10 maintain the endless snan' agsns5
gold dollars and silver dollars. and against any
y1G prois TO 6ay iS5cent gold dollar SUB
sequently, In public Letter Aprll o. iseo. 20 ono
"Shcrman-Mc linley-Ailison" currency plan. ad-
vocatng payment and exterminauon Oh @ tle gIevhId gId
bo nll legal tender and condemned all Mckinney
ism" wherever it showed its head whether in cola
tested before the Democratic Club against me crea-
se Ih G, any psrt Of the public debt Although not
tsking part in the NewYork Democratic state Con
ventioo of June a. 1896 whose platform thorough
Iv approved I attended the Chicago Convention as
delegate uniting with the rS GeeesuSHn s esnS
dates as Sc, fSrth N my WorS glegr@ s Follows 10 The
rlril
delegation wi. make nomnated OF such
an e,nnhatic character to leave no doubt or the
position which the delegation occupies. 30 TAR as
am concarned dS me' vi he H snpported After the
adoption of the platform asainst wncn nrnegS rne Sew
hairnan npon every subsequent vote taken that
it refused TO participate ~ thr urb asb dsegae his
'TnPs'1d aPtIended the indianapolis convention and sup,
n skiing your opinions OF what the Democracy
should do in the National GGnventi9bn more ,hsn sw
a year from now. yet you Will perhaps, , ~ r,e~ e
OF YOUR peremptory demands FOR my opinion per
nit me 10 assume that you deem the money ques.
,, ,. az nresented in the Chicago platform Of 1895
a. now paramount to all others; that you 'nsis,
on on s"1 Test of Democracy and that all Democratic
votes must line up in 1900 on a federai statIte
gor the the payment in gold law to prevent wage,
earners and salary earners from denandlhg ana
sold sii'ifil dollars Hs' Would not be winning issue.
In conversation at tho Democratic club last
evening Mr. Belmont said: 1T looks as II the
Ponulists were trying TO get control OF the Dem
ocratic party. If they get control, they viii
make end Of the party
THE DOLLAR DINNER MEN.
When the Dollar Dinner Democrats" as the
Brvan men are called who are arranging to give
the 81 feast in the Grand Central Palace. heard
Of the conditional offer of William j. Bryan to
attend the dinner. they began to cast about TO
regulate their plans TO meet Mr.. Bryan's re.
quest Eugene V Brewster. who is in practical
charge OF the dinner said yesterday: II am not
vet able TO speak officially. but | think the din
ner will be held In the Grand Central Pa lace. on
the night Of April 10. as Mr. Bryan asks. ana
will conform with the conditions ne asks.
think Mr. Bryan will attend. About three thou
sand persons can be accommodated there. and
already a huge mass OF letters mas coiie III asn-
ing about tickets.
MIR Brewster said that ex Senator Hills name |
was not in the invitation list. He said that II !
Mr. Croker or Mr.. Belmont were invited he /
would not attend, and speaking Of Mr.. Bryan's |
caustic refusal to be present at the Democratic |
club dinner he said: II heartily indorse every |
thing that Mr. Bryan says He Is the leader OF |
the Democratic party. and he will be so next |
year"