New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-01-23
PROTEST TO Mr.. KELLER.
AGAINST COMMITTING THE CLUB" TO
BRYAN-PRESIDENTS SAYS HIS DIN
NER Is A Personal AFFAIR.

BRYAN-PRESIDENTS SAYS HIS DIN
NER Is A Personal AFFAIR
Robert B. Roosevelt. ex-senator John Fox. q
personal friend Of Richard Croker. and John F.
Doyle, all prominent members Of the Democratic
Club last night sent to President John w Keller
a letter Of protest against his attitude in prac-
tically making the Democratic Club indOrse
William J. Bryan BY having Mr.. Bryan as the
guest OF honor at the club tonight.
The letter has started bitter fight in the
club, and it Is likely that a cable message will
be sent 10 Mr.. Croker in England to-day, tell
ing him that the party in this city is in danger
of disruption. and TO get back TO New-YOrk as
possible
Following is the letter:
New-York City, January 30, 1860
Hon. John ". Keller, President Of the Demo-
cratic Club, New-YOrI1 City.
Dear Sir: II is with the most kindly feeling,
and certainly with desire 10 criticise your
acts that take the liberty. members OF
the Democratic Club, TO address you. We are
Credibly informed that you have invited the
Hon. William Jennings Bryan 10 become your
guest al the Democratic Club, and take dinner
with you and party OF friends. In other words,
Mr.. Bryan is TO be entertained by you. and the
place of such entertainment is al the Demo
cratic Club. While IL is your unqueslloneC
right, or the right OF any other member. 10 IN
vite any gentleman whom he may choose TO be-
come ms guest az Jhe cIuo yeL- uLuer 80
conditions we greatly rear tnaI your act VIII De
come construed by the public as the act Of the
club. should you give such dinner 10 this distin-
guished guest without aft1rmattvely dlsclalmlng
such intention on the part of the club
We ourselves can fully distinguish between an
official act and Individual opinions" We want
It understood. too that have no personal OBJ
lection 10 Mr.. Bryan. nor do We object in the
slightest degree to your giving him a dinner az
the club in your individual capacity as one OF
its members. We should much regret. however,
If what you propose to do should be construed
throughout the country as political morse
ment by the Democratic Club Of the Presidential
candidacy at this time Of Mr.. Bryan
The Democratic Club is essentially a Demo
cratic political organization and OF It's three
thousand members none but Democrats belong
10 il. You now its president, and, in the
absence OF o disclaimer on your part 10 the con-
trary your course in anything that pertains 70
the club or its affairs might be construed and
not unreasOnably so. as the act OF the club
It will not do 10 say that such a construction
would only be placed upon your acts by the ig
norant or misnformed, because Mr. Bryan him
self has established a precedent which is ap-
pIicable 10 the case now in point
BRYAN-BELMONT CORRESPONDENTS
We desire TO call your attention to a portion
OF the correspondence which took place between
your immediate predecessor as president OF the
club and the distinguished gentleman whom
You will remember that Nfr- Bryan now stands
before the Nation as an avowed aspirant seek
ing the Democratic Presidential nomination:
that April 13 last. and for long time prior
thereto, he has maintained the same attitude:
that a banquet was about TO be given by the
club on said date in honor OF the birthday OF
Thomas Jefferson; that Mr.. Bryan was given
most cordial and considerate invitation 10 at
tend such banquet. and that the tnvt tatton was
signed by Perry Belmont. president, and Rich
ard Croker. chairman
You will further remember that on the re-
ceipt Of this invitation Mr.. Bryan. on March
13, made TO the president Of the club the fol-
lowing reply:
Invitation received Remembering that you open
ly repudiated the Democratic platform in the last
campaign I desire TO know before answering in
Yitation whether you nave since the election pub
set forth in that platform.
To this answer the president. AIr. Belmont.
made the following reply:
The invitation extended TO you is on behalf Of the
Democratic Club Individual opinions have not
been considered in issuing the invitation 10 cele-
brate the birthday Of Thomas Jefferson
Notwithstanding the fact that MI BelmOnt's
affirmative declaration that the invitation
on behalf of the Democratic Club. and that in
dvdual opinions had not been considered in
issuing the invitations. Mr.. Bryan not con-
tent 70 send a polite declination OF the invita-
ton but At 10 enlarge upon the subject in
the following language:
appreciate the compliment the Democratic Club
pays in extending invitation. but do not
understand how individual opinions can De ignored
at a political gathering You are the president OF
the club and representative OF the club before the
pablo. Your position en- public questions vas
indicates that your position has not changed
ences and in nv oninion no partv advautsge is
70 be derived from political communion between
platform and the Republican allies who
querade as democrats between carnpalgns IN order
cratic principles Election Day.
NOT BOUND TO THE CHICAGO PLATFORM.
To this a suitable reply was made by the
president and IL may be fairly inferred from
all Of the foregoing that II you were not con-
sidered by Mr.. Bryan avOWed believer in
his doctrine OF free and unlimited silver coinage
at the ration Of Is TO l, he would also have de-
clined your invitation on the ground that no
party advantage ts TO be derived from political
communion" with you at the Democratic Club.
We do believe IN the wisdom OF free coinage
at that ratio We do know however that we
are Democrats and are interested In the success
OF the Democratic party in the city. in the State
and in the Nation
This being true. We sincerely but respectfully
urge upon you. occupying as you do the post
ton OF president of the club. not do anything
which would tend 70 fOrestan the action OF the
next Democratic National Convention.
AS individuals. we insist upon the right 20
express our opinions in regard 70 the future
policy OF our party and the selection OF its
nominee We believe IL unwise 10 permit the
opinion go broadcast throughout the land
that the Democratic Club or this city. the
Democratic party OF this state so far in ad-
Continued second pa<el