The Portland daily press., 1900-01-31
Mechanics Hall Vas Packed in the
Evening.
Party Will Ar i've in
Portland at 4.3O.
Ex-Governor Altgeld Will Ac-
company Them.

Boston, January s0-For the second
time during his career, the giftsd Me-
traskan, Col. W. j. Bryan, who for near
~ four years has been the recognized
'sader Of the National Democracy, was
he central figure Of an unusual demon
s.ration In this city. Tonight, after par
.ioipating In sc vsrsl events OF lesser I'm
portanoe, during the day. Mr.. Bryan ad-
tr,ssed an immense mass meeting In Me-
ohanics' hall, a building containing a
seating capacity greater than any in Bos-
on. 1t Is estimated that there was TO-
900 persons in the vast nsssmblags hum
dreds Of whom remained standing
throughout the evening. The speakers
included Col. Bryan. Hnr. John p. Alt
geld, former Governor OF Illinois, Hon.
J. j. Lentz, Congressman from Ohio,
and Hon. George Fred Williams OF Ded-
ham.
The meeting tonight closed a busy day
for Col. Bryan. Arriving here from
Providence at 9. IS o'clock this morning
he was escorted to the American house,
whore tho Bryan club of Boston rendered
him q brsakfaIt and later reception and
,nqust weru held at Faueuil hall. many
New England Democrats OF note, In addi-
ton to thoss accompanying the chief
guest attending. Adore sss were made at
each function.
The doors Of Mechanics hall were
thrown open at seven O'Clock and every
,eat was taken long before eight, the
time the meeting was called TO order.
The hall had been elegantly decorated
with bunting, national colors and state
shields. Prominent Democrats from
several of the New England States oocu-
pied SEATS In the rear Of the chairman.
he meeting was called to order by Hon.
william s. McNary, secretary of the state
committee, who introduced the Chairman
II the evening, Col A. q. Drinkwater
of Braintree. After making few re-
marks, Col. Drink water announced the
Mr.. Williams was received with three
cheers and tiger. During his address,
be expressed sympathy with the Beers. n
sentiment that was vooiferously ap-
plaudtd.
The next speaker. ex-Gov. Altgeld, was
aooorded u hearty reception ty the great
audience.
Ibs third speaker, Congressman John
J. Lentz Of Columbus, Ohio, was warm
" received. He said that Abraham
Lincoln was not quoted BY the Republi-
can party today and that the Bryan
Dem ccrats were celebrating ths anpiver-
sary of Lincoln's birth. Mr.. Lentz made
bitter attack on the Philippine policy
Of the President, de ciaring that ait sesIns
we have get to learn the lesson Of Bunker
Hin over again and possibly at the ex-
pense Of gun powder.
While Mr.. Lentz was speaking. Mr..
Bryan entered the hall In company with
Robert Treat Paine, Jr.. Of Boston. He
was greeted by the vast audience rising
to Its fsst amid cheering for several min.
utss. At the conclusion Of Mr.. Lentz's
address, Chairman Drinkwater, at 1910
O'Clock, introduced Col Bryan, who was
unable to make himself heard for some
time. The first part of his re-
marks was addressed to Republicans
who were informed that the party had
changed Its principles since the dsys OF
Lincoln. Later he took up the sui ject Of
imperialism, the gold standard and
trusts, sssailipg each along limos already
Indicated In his speeches. He charged
the Republican party with making good
times for the spsoulators without paying
proper attention to the production of
wealth.
Mr.. Bryan's speech was frequently in
corrupted by applause.
Col. Bryan, Congressman Lsntz and
ex Gov. Attgeid will leave Boston to-
morrow morning for Lawrence. Mass.
At = O'Clock they will will leave there
for Portland, arriving there at 49,