New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-10-17

| On the main table was immense panh "a
American Beauty, Bride and Bridesmaid roses
something than ten feet in length, and
interviewer with the roses were rare ferns. This
piece was later sent UP to Mr. Bryan's room.
There were numerous small bouquets of roses in
cut glass holders the principal table. and a
smaller one on each of the minor tables.
AMID SPLENDID FURNISHINGS.
The service was the best the Hoffman House
could provide-linens of the most costly sort, the
heaviest plate. cut glass and the best of china.
Although Mr. Bryan did not drink. his wine
glasses were provided just for the other
guests.
Mayor Van wyck sat in an inlaid chair
brought from Arabia. On either side of him.
two and two special chairs bearing the
Hoffman House coat OF arms. in gold, the centre
piece OF which is a lions head. with an Imperial
Crown. all of gold. On these chairs sat Mr..
Bryan Mr.. Croker, Adai E. Stevenson and Will
| lam r. Hearst
In the course of the dinner one of the guests
joRingly called Mr.. Bryans attention TO the
fact that he sitting on the emblem of i'm
| perialism.
When he sits in the White House" remarked
Mr. Croker, he'll sit on the original imperial
ism just as effectively
The much disputed cost OF the dinner was
settled by Mr.. Cardigan. who said the cost was
| S12 plate, exclusive of the wines.
It took from 5:45 to Z p. to dispose of the
many courses. In that time the dinner may be
said to have been without feature Of any kind.
and to have had few Incidents Mr.. Croker domi-
mated the feast. He practically monopolized
/ Colonel Bryan's attention, and occasionally
/ Mayor Van wyck managed 20 get a word in.
Mr.. Bryan's napkin dropped out Of his hand.
! Il beg your pardon, it my fault" said
| Mr.. Croker, STOPPING to pick it UP.
az ali WA ia
said Mr.. Bryan himself. about to pick it up
Mr.. Croker declared he could not permit Mr.
Bryan to do So and after friendly little tilt a
compromise was effected, and waiter restored
the serviette for Colonel Bryan.
W. R. Hearst and Mayor Van wyck endeav-
ored to entertain Mr.. Stevenson, but he was
very tired and spoke little Indeed, several
times he actually nodded during the meal.
Webster Davis came in after the second
course He looks very much like Colonel Bryan
and an old woman, who had been out in the hall
for hours waiting to see the Presidential candi-
date, caught sight of Mr.. Davis he hur-
rying to the dining room.
There he goes now!" she cried triumphantly
| to a big policeman who had been ordering her
out of the hail. You can't stop shaking
hands with the next President" She made
furious dash, and was at Mr.. Daviss heels al
most the door swung between them. Mr.
| Davis took his seat unnoticed save for what
seemed very much like frown from Mr.. Croker
| for his coming in late.
WOULD SEE MR.. BRYAN.
When the meal was about half over a richly
gowned middle aged woman rushed into the
room from the main dining room. Levelling her
lorgnette at the main table, she exclaimed rapt-
| urousy:
oh there is Mr. Croker! I've always wanted
n Mr.
aExously at the walters. And there's dear Mr.
Bryant ratified the rapturously. "Oh
how we all love dear Mr.. Bryant" An attend
ant touched the woman on the shoulder
I'm Louisiana Democrat" she protested
and I've got right to see Mr.. Bryan dear
Mr.. Bryant" She was gently "shooed" into the
other room. She willingly gave her card, and
proved to be Mrs. J. Pinckney Smith of New
Orleans.
There never a Pinckney Smith that
didn't vote the Democratic ticket straight" she
| said, and hope there never will be-"
! Table No 3 attracted some attention because
| Of the personnel OF its guests 1t was a case Of
half Hill half Croker. John F. Carroll and
Senator Thomas F. Grady endeavored TO enter
tain Mr.. Mcclure and Mr. Campbell Mr. Car
roll did some excellent balancing with his celery.
which finally landed on the floor while Senator
Grady told funny stories.
Mayor Jones, or Golden Rule" Jones of To-
| ledo was a later conner and took his seat with
out notice
Ex-Governor W. ]. Stone of Missouri ('Gum
Shoe or Shirt Tail BilPO sat near Mr. Bryan
at the principal table He called a waiter over
| 20 him, and the waiter shook his head
Don't care whether it's on or not" declared
| Governor Stone. II don't care damn for your
menu. want whiskey." Governor Stone got
his whiskey, and got it very quickly.
During the meal the conversation was car
ried on in the most subdued tone. Once or twice
SINE of the guests seemed to be talking loudly,
| instantly.
CROKER KEPT ORDER.
Once when W. P Mitchell at Table No. O.
| raised his voice and started in to emphasize his
remarks with his right arm. Dr. Girdner touched
MIN on the shoulder and told him Mr. Croker
| was endeaVoring to get his eye. Mr.. Mitchell
| looked at the chief and quiet forthwith
Sergeant-at-Arms Len H. Wager rushed into
| the room toward the end of dinner with a large
| Dunole OF kilograms. which he seemed about TO
| read. A glance from Mr. Croker was all he
| needed, and he went quickly as he came
several women from the main dining room
tried to get into the dining just as dinner
| was about over. Their entry barred. Mr..
| Bryan caught sight Of the women and said:
Let the ladies' enter-why not?' They came
IN, half dozen Of them, and looked about at
the decorations, inspected the flowers and went
out. Before leaving the room the guests were
photographed by hashlight
There was some little delay in the hall ont
side while some of the guests went to their
rooms FOR overcoats and Mr.. Bryan stood and
chatted with Mr.. Croker. The party was pretty
much together at 40 o'clock and cheered nv
some hundreds of persons who had despite the
police precautions, wedged into the narrow hall
ways the diners boarded carriages and were
driven to Madison Square Garden.