The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-04-14
$40 DINERS.
1900 of Them Assemble at
Richard CrOker's Feast.
Tables Converted Into Immense
Beds of Roses.
BIG SILVER BUTTONS
Ornament the Uniforms of the
UShers.
Biggest Banquet Ever Held in
New York.
BIG SILVER BUTTONS

New York, April 14.-The dinner of
the Democratic club in honor of the
anniversary of the birth of Thomas
Jefferson was held last night at the
Metropolitan opera house. Looking
from the tiers to the floor of the vast
dining hall the tables seemed like great
beds of roses. The thirty-two tables
were on either side of the speakers
table. So abundant were the flowers
that some of the guests were hardly
able to see each other over the floral
banks.
The floor of the auditorium was raised
to a level with that of the stage by a
temporary floor, making one rectangu-
lar room of immense size. The tables
were set in rows parallel with Thirty
ninth and Fortieth streets. The guests
of honor were at two tables set about
under the proscenium 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 chandeliers lighted up the pic
ture.
Conspicuously placed at the west end
of the dining hall was the inscription:
Jefferson! 1743-1S99. - Democratic
Club
This was composed of incandescent
lights. 1t surrounded a picture OF
Tall silver candles with shades har
monizing with the floral effect were on
all the tables.
The guests began to arrive at 6
o'clock, but the dinner did not begin
for an hour and a half after that. Cap
tain Price, of the Tenderloin, and forty
two policemen were in and around d,, the
building. A Gordon of bicycle ponce
men surrounded the building.
A crank letter of a few days ago, in
which a threat was made to blow up
nod
to have made the police unusually vigi-
liant A number of detective sergeants
in evening dress, mingled with the
guests to see that ne unbidden person
might enter.
There were a number of firemen also
fire
Inside the building was an army of
ushers and attendants. These wore
drab uniform with silver buttons.
Just before the guests were called to
order Richard Croker, Perry Belmont,
Commissioner Scanned and Commission
er Sexton entered a box Mr. Croker
was in enthusiastic conversation with
those about him and waved his hand to
guests all over the hall
There were fully 300 more guests than
the 1900 planned for, but all found
seats. This is said to be the largest
number ever accommodated at a BAN
quet in the history of the city. The
great dinner to President Mckinley at
the Waldorf-Astoria was served to only
600
The band struck up Hail to the
Chief at 7:30 O'Clock and Richard
Croker, m-in-arm with John Stanch-
field. marched down the aisle. With
them were Frederick S Schraub, Robert
B. Roosevelt. General Catlin and Amos
H. Cummings.
The service of the menu was excel
lent. but some confusion was caused
by some of the diners stripping the
tables of flowers and ribbons and throw
ing them to the women in the boxes.
Mr.. Croker held a levee just before
the regular speech making began. Mr..
Croker shook hands cordially with
everybody and smiled as man after man
congratulated him upon the success of
the dinner.
The confusion was very great. AS
the time drew near for the making of
speeches the orators were almost dis
cOuraged at the prospect of making
themselves heard