The Irish standard., 1899-04-22
In His Speech He Discusses the
Political Outlook.
FREQUENTLY INTERRUPTED BY CHEERS
Champion Of the Plain People n
Intensely Popular.

The dollar Jefferson dinner of tAe
Chicago platform Democrats at the
Grand Central Palace last Saturday
night, in point Of numbers, was one
OF the biggest affairs ever held in New
York. Nearly 5000 men and women sat
down at long tables in the various
rooms at the big palace.
There were all kinds OF people there,
dressed in all kinds OF clothes. White
men elbowcd with colorcd men and
white women with colorcd women.
There were four Japanese and three
Chinese present. but the Chinese were
merely spectators and sat in the second
gallery. They said they had come to
see Bryan.
The main hall presented different
aspect from that OF the Metropolitan
opera house at the ten dollar dinner Of
the Democratic Club There were no
flower embellishments, but great long
avenues OF tables covered with plain
white plates. The only ornaments were
punches OF celery and graniteware coffee
pots.
The boxes about the hall were Gaa-
tooned with flags with slkcn banners
about the flags. At the rear of the
stage were two American flags draped,
one bearing the portrait of Jefferson,
the other the portrait OF Bryan. Small
portraits of Bryan were interspersel
between the flags on the balconies.
About 7 o'clock nearly every seat Of
the mems tables was occupied, and the
service began. Over six hundred wait
ers started out into the main hall with
soup few minutes before 7 O'Clock.
The menu included soup, fish, roast
beef, turkey, ice cream, coffee and CT
gars.
Three thousand bottles of wine were
gratuitously served by wine company.
Among those who sat at the guests'
table were:
James II. Brown, presiding; on his
right, w. J. Bryan; on his left, Charles
A. Townc of Minnesota; O. II. P. Ba-
mont, William S. McNary, secretary Of
the Democratic state committee of Min-
ncsota; Mayor J. L. Rmmoos, Of Gov
ington, Ky; Bolton Hail, George Fred
crick Williams, cx-Congresslnan VIII
liam +. Ryan OF Rochester, A. S. Town.
son OF Virginia, Col. Thomas Smith Of
Virginia and John Clark Rdpath.
The crowd was thoroughly represea-
tativc and before the dinner was con-
cludcd hundreds of the diners left their
seats and crowded about the guests ta-
bic and began to shake hands with Col.
Bryan.
At o'clock the committee and speak
ers ascendcd to the PLATFORM Bryan
rccciycd a vociicrous ovation, the din-
ers i'll many instances again standing
on chairs and tables and the women
waving napkins wildly.
The crowds in the galleries meaa-
time had increased and there were At
least 5000 people i'll the hall The mea.
ton OF Henry Georges name evoked
an extraordinary demonstration.
In introducing Mr.. Bryan Chairman
Brown said that Abraham Lincoln had
come out Of the west to save the nation,
and another man had come from the
west to save the nation.
A perfect tempest OF applause FROM
the men and women broke out. The
applause subsidcd, but started afresh.
The band struck up, but could scarcely
be heard as it played "The Stars and
Stripes Forever" Hats were thrown
into the air and women waved their
cloaks and handkercliefs. There was a
maclstrom of discord
Bryan raised his hand deprecatingly,
but the more he did this the more the
crowd cheered. 1t was wild, frantic
demonstration. 1t lasted for at least
five minutes.
MIR. Bryan began in calm, clear
voice, and was frequently interrupted
by applause. When he said there was
harmony only between those who think
and act alike, there was great applause.
His references to the Chicago platform
and his declarations that his nomination
had not come from the bosses were re-
ceived with tremendous cheers. He
caused great enthusiasm when he de-
clared that the Chicago platform was
menace to those who robbed others, and