New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-04-16

Prime Ribs OF Roast Beef. with Boiled Potatoes
Monticello Turkey. with Cranberry Sauce
Dessert.
Ice Cream Assorted Fiayors
Black Coffee 'sars'
1t may be a physical mpossibility to serve a
hot dinner hot TO twenty four hundred guests.
but the caterer made brave effort. He had
three hundred walters. besides forty captains to
boss them. He had food provided for three
thousand persons on the floor and five hundred
more In the galleries. and that included, he de-
clared five thousand pounds Of turkey. An
enterprising wine firm. seeking a free adver-
tisement added to she bill Of fare by presenting
three thousand half-pint bottles OF American
champagne to gladden. the affair Phis maze
the dinner really a 81 - revel. ana the paho
played Get Your Moneys Worth" with great
gusto when the little bottles were brought on
NO OBJECTIONS TO THE FOOD.
There was no grumbling about the Viands'
Those who got all the menu called for judged
themselves lucky. Those who did not rehecteu
that they had paid their 81 more for the chahce
TO hear Bryan than for the meal and waited
good -humoredly for the oratory to begin. wait
ers waiting for their orders To be niled from the
kitchen were often standing twenty-five deep.
II
eating before others were half through and
first one fast eater In the body or the great
hall and then another and another got up
and strolled down the long asles toward the
guest table to get a look at Bryar. The
Nebraskan sat with the back OF his chair
against the platform and his face to the crowd.
Before he was aware Of 1t the aisle just IN
front of him was pretty well filled with men
sha Of
who faced him. He began TO smile and nod at
some of them VINO greeted him. This seemed
to be signal In moment the aisle in front
of him was jammed from end TO end and a
steady stream of his admirers was trickling
along every one OF the dozen aisles that led
TO the table OF honor The guests who sat fac
ing Mr.. Bryan found themselves showed for
ward in their chairs to uncomfortable de-
gree They felt like occupants OF the last row
Of seats at a theatre. when the admission
only" men grow tired Of standing erect and
lean on anything that is handy.
policeman hustled up and tried to make
the eager ones move on" AS he urged them
west just as eager line advanced from the
east. behind his back. They stared at Bryan
with a steady glare, they breathed the free
champagne over him. they commented volubly
pearance. they picked their teeth at him. and
they puffed tobacco smoke over him, as If 1t
were incense. One huge and fat man was so
lost in admiration of the Silver Prophet that
he unconsciously placed a huge protuberant
stomach against the back OF the Rev. DIR.
Peters's neck and bore the preacher down till
his nose almost touched his plate. The arrival
of a second policeman to aid the first rescued
the pastor from his predicament The two po
licemen took up a position in the centre Of the
rush line. turned back to back and then walked
straight ahead. thrusting the people back pa
tenty and without using undue force. AS they
cleared the aisle which parallel to the
guest table II WAS instantly filed by
corners from the six aisles which led of at
right angles to the guest table
BRYAN TURNS HIS BACK.
Mr. Bryan in order to relieve the situation.
turned his back upon his thronging admirers.
while six more policemen tried to induce the
idclaters to keep seated. Or. George W. Thomp-
son leaped upon the platform, and, stretching
wide both his arms Bryan's head. at
tempted to."shoo'' the people back They paid
much attention to him as excited hens do to
an old woman.
1t was plainly seen that the only way to keep
on the platform, where all could see; so at $40
o'clock. before many in the room had reached
the dessert. the Ncbrasksn wac led to the dais
and seated between great sheaf OF American
BE outy roses and an elaborate floral structure
bearing the motto. "16 to Wv. J. Bryan, our
next President. Behind him was his own por-
trait and that Of jefferson, draped in American
flags. The crowds shouting and and-capping
and waving Of banners even exceeded in vol
ume that with which they greeted his entrance
and it was kept up for fully five minutes.
RUSH FOR THE PLATFORM
The other guests OF honor followed their
leader, and there rush for the platform
Some grabbed the chairs in which they had
been seated and climbed right up the front
These got good positions Some walked up the
stems leaving their chairs behind. Then they
wished they hadn't Their chairs had been in
stantly seized by others who pressed forward
from the rear. In consequence many had to
stand upon the platform and lean against the
wall for support. There was no great disorder
10 ill-humor Every was good -natured
but ceremony was considerably neglected
THE SPEAKING BEGUN.
The chairman, James Il. Brown called loudly
for order Few heard him. The hall is too
Zig for auditorium. Away back at the end
and under the balconies men were still inauir-
ing al the top of their lungs, What's the mat
ter with Bill Bryan" and getting the expected
answer. Finally silence was obtained, and the
chairman announced the list OF toasts.
Mr.. Brown said
We are gathered here tonight to honor the
memory of Jefferson and to renew allegiance
TO the Democratic platform adopted in Chicago
lie
best compendium Of Democratic principles and we,
the Democratics OF New-York. desire IT understood
that will vote for the Chicago platform
oCheersl We have no purpose to serve but right
eousness. tCheers) Right here In New-York the
citadel OF corruption and privilege. we are gath
cred 70 maintain pure Democracy. We are gath
cred for right and sincere purpose the welfare
Of the people (Cheers) believe that you will be
more than grateful at our speeches tonight
GEORGE FRED'S DISCOURSE.