The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-08-22

A large and enthusiastic meeting Of the
Bryan and Stevenson Club was held at
Harper's Hall last night. Over 400 Dem
ocrats were in attendance and they ap-
plauded vigorously the sentiments of De-
mocracy expressed.
The Bryan and Stevenson Club is an or
ganization OF Washington Democrats
which has been in existence but two weeks.
Already 1t has an enrolled membership Of
over 500. The meeting last night was the
first held by the club and it was a success
in every way. A number of prominent
Democrats made brief addresses, the tenor
of which was disapproval of the Admins
tration's policy in the Philippines and its
tendance toward militarism.
c. F. Sudwarth. secretary of the club,
called the meeting to order shortly after
s O'Clock. In the absence of the prest-
dent Judge Yoder was chosen chairman of
the meeting He took the chair and call
ed on Capt Patrick O'Farrell, an ex-Re-
publican, for a speech. Captain 0'Farrell
said that the Administration was using
the large military forces under arms at
present to further its own political ends
rather than for the needs of the country.
He stated that this fact had been evident
when the troops from Cuba were ordered
home and mustered out Of the service
that they might vote for Republican can
didates In State elections.
Touching on the war IN the Philippines,
Captain O'Farrell took occasion to say
''otls and other OF the generals over there
have assured US that the war is all over
but that we needed to retain the islands
as a strategic point OF iIrestimable value
and as a base Of supplies should trouble
with China occur. Well now, the trouble
with China has come aud We have been
unable to draw as few as 10000 SOL
diers from the force of 65. 900 stationed at
present in the Philippines He spoke Of
the unbealthfulTess of the climate for
people of the temperate zone and said that
the country would never be Of any value
save to capitalists like Hanna, who could
establish factories there and hire cheap
labor to run them. He closed after dis
cusslng the war revenue tax briefly, with
an appeal TO the audience to give their
support to Bryan in the coming election.
His remarks were warmly applauded.
George y. Jesse was next introduced as
n Democrat from Kentucky. Colonel
Jesse remarked in opening that this year
was a Democratic centennial. He said that
in 1900 was elected the first Democratic
President, and that he believed that in
1900 the second true Democratic President
would be elected. He stated that it was
his belief that the future welfare of the
country depended upon the adoption Of the
principles of Democracy as advocated in
tGu Kansas City platform, and that the
success of the Republican party's pTin-
cip.es meant absolute ruin 10 the nation.
H. further said that the success of the
Republican party meant that in years TO
come the children CT the present voters
of the United States would have to serve
in the Regular Army under compulsion.
The Porto Rican tariff was discussed
briefly, as was the manner in which the
Spaaish-AmeTican war had been conducted
by the Administration. In closing Colonel
Jesse assured the audience that Kentucky
would stand by the Democratic party and
give Bryan a majority of 10000.
Charles Slater was the next speaker,
and compared the course of the Admins
traticn to that of the Roman Empire,
which flourished till it began to expand,
after which decay set in and official cor
rup;ion caused its downfall.
A. A Lipscomb and George KilIeen
spoke on much the same line followed in
the preceding addresses.
large number of persons were ad-
mitted into membership last night. Meet
ings will be held every Tuesday night dur
ing the campaign in Harper's Hall.