The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-03-20

When Col. Bryan arrives in washington,
the latter part OF this month, he will be
met on the states eastern border by a
committee OF prominent Seattle fusion
lists and welcomed to the state. Then he
will be Informed of the programme that
has been mapped out for his entertain
ment in Seattle. which took definite form
In n meeting of the joint fusion committee
in the office OF J. F. McEaroy last night.
Briefly, the programme is to have a meet
ing in a tent on the old university grounds
In the afternoon, a meeting at the same
place in the evening. and a banquet later
In the night at Armory hall. Col. Bryan
Is expected to speak at all three gather
ingS.
The banquet will be a dollar dinner"
A finance committee was appointed last
night to make all necessary arrangements
for defraying the expenses of Bryan's
visit TO Seattle. The committee has in
structions to formulate it's plans solely
with the idea of getting as many people
together under one roof as possible to
hear Bryan. and then to make It's arrange
ments so as to give him the best poss Bile
time during his stay in Seattle.
There were probably two dozen promi-
nent Democrats. Silver Republicans and
Populists assembled in the office of Pros
ecuting Attorney McElroy last night.
when Chairman Goodwin called the meeting
to order. II is to be recorded that after
three hours OF tedious and frequently
auarrelsome discussion, the meeting ad-
tourned.
Nevertheless. when a Post-Intelligencer
reporter appeared at the meeting in order
to obtain a report Of the proceedings and
to learn what arrangements had been de-
cided upon to entertain Col. Bryan. he
was requested to withdraw. The doors
were locked and the fusionists went into
secret session.
prOha hlv tho mos, fppnnrtart on.t.-
taken by the meeting was the selection OF
National Committeeman White az chair
man OF the afternoon meeting. at which
Mr.. Bryan win make his first bow to a
gathering of Seattle people. And thereby
hangs a tale. Until yesterday at noon. the
executive committee of nine fusionists. of
which J. W. Goodwin Is chairman. was al
sea on the question OF the selection of a
chairman. Col. A. j. Blethen, editor of
the Times. Judge White and James Ham
nton Lewis had been mentioned In con-
nection with the honor Of presiding al
Bryan's first meeting In Seattle.
II developed during the last three DAYS
that neither one of these would be salts
factory TO all parties. More than that.
Judge White, who. by reason OF his offic-
lal position as member of the Democratic
committee, seemed TO have the greatest
claim. had never been consulted regarding
the arrangements for Col. Bryan's visit
here.
Yesterday ut noon the executive COM
mittee canvassed the situation. It's mem
bers saw the necessity OF avoiding a clash,
and Mr.. White was tacitiy agreed on, with
the understanding that final action should
be taken only when the fun committee
met In the evening
During the afternoon a solution was
presented of the very knotty problem.
The executive committee decided to recon-
mend to the general fusion committee a
programme embracing not only a large
public gathering with Bryan as the chief
speaker, but also an evening meeting and
a banquet. Thus there appeared a chance
TO divide the honors and an unpleasant
clash was avoided.
According to present plans, Col. Bryan
Will be introduced by Judge White. pro-
viding the latter accepts the post as chair
man of the meeting on the old university
grounds. At the evening meeting j. II.
Ronald or James Hamilton Lewis will be
favored with the honor OF presiding. At
the banquet. to be held later ut the Ar
mory. IL is probable that Col. Bla,hen VIII
preside. and Gov, Rogers. Mr.. Lewis, j.
Z. Fay and other fusionists will be in
vited to make short speeches OF welcome
TO Mr.. Bryan.
The real work Of preparing for bryan's
reception will be done by the subcommittee
OF the executive committee. Tie princi-
pal committee Is that on finance. which
was yesterday selected by the executive
committee. as follows.
A $ Calderhead. chairman: 3. Butter
worth, Lee Il. Hart. r. Hyrnan and An
thony Corcoran.
J. F. McElroy was appointed chairman
OF the committees on decorations; John
Wallace. chairman OF the committee on
banquet: Ben Briefly, chairman Of the
transportation committee. The general
committee on arrangements consists Of the
aNefs4ffgH TgunwntffEa NJ nine ~ 4thfab NJ
Goodwin il chairman and job wallace sec-
Tetary. Mr.. Wallace Was appointed PRES
agent, with instructions 20 see that the
newspapers make proper mention Of Bvy-
ans visit. To Mr.. Wallace, then, the
new spaper men Of the city win likely be
under many obligations.
The executive COMMITTEES ls considering
obtaining a large tent from fpokane for
BvyAH's afternoon AID evening meetings.
The tent viii accommodate W.s1 geopic.