New-York tribune., 1900-01-14
WIG WAN WEI COME TO BRYAN
IT MAY INCLUDE BOTH DINNER AND
A MASS MEETING.

William J. Bryan is expected to arrive IN New
York about January o. Great preparations are
being made by the Tammany men and other fol-
lowers of the Western leader to give him royal
welcome In the East. His visit to the city at this
time will be in marked contrast to the visits he
has made before so far political recognition OF
his presence is concerned. Since Mr.. Bryan
last here, Richard Croker has announced his con-
version to the standard of the Nebraska man, and
now the rank and file of Tammany are wild to do
him honor All that held them back before was
Mr.. Croker's curb Mr.. Crokers conversion is said
to have been caused by many conditions First
and foremost Il is said, he Mr.. Bryan would
be renominated beyond shadow Of doubt, and
was anxious to "get In out of the wet" In the
next place. the meeting at Tammany Hall on July
last. when Mr.. Croker gave absolute orders that
nothing to be done to bring Bryan's name
into the speeches, eye-opener. Despite Mr.
Crokers orders, Ex-Governor Hogg, of Texas, tore
the gag from his mouth and hailed Bryan
Democracy's leader in the Nation and was cheered
to the echo This convinced Mr.. Croker Of the
Tammany feeling for Mr. Bryan. Next strong po-
htical opponents of Mr.. Croker, taking advantage
of his rebellion against the National organization
were building up powerful following, declaring
allegiance to Bryan and the Chicago platform and
asking aid from the National organization in a
fight against Croker. To thwart these, as we'll as
to meet other conditions, Mr.. Croker swung around
There is some doubt as to just what the Tam
many organization shall do 1t has been proposed
to hold monster mass meeting and again it is
suggested that dinner in Mr.. Bryans honor by
the Democratic Club would be the proper thing. 1t
will be remembered that when he was asked to
attend the famous dinner of the Democratic Club
given in the Metropolitan Opera House he curtly
declined and became engaged In a controversy
with Perry Belmont. then president of the club
over the matter. Now Mr Belmont is longer
president of the club. and that condition is changed
John w. Keller. the present president Of the club
said yesterday that he could not say whether a
dinner would be given for Mr. Bryan or a big meet
ing would be held, but that whatever was done the
Democratic leader would be cordially welcomed
Orders are said TO have been received from Mr.
Keller, Carroll and Whalen. who run things in Mr.
Croker's absence, are doing everything they
indicated that there will be dinner In his honor
and afterward meeting at which the rank and
file hear him speak.
Ii is taken that dinner for Mr. Bryan and a
meeting, arranged by Tammany, at which he would
speak, would finally commit Tammany to the
Bryan standard. Now that Mr. Croker is with
him, the Tammany captains working hard
for him, and the rank and file have been with him
to a ever since 1896. II is said that If Mr..
Bryan speaks here he will be urged to talk along
lines named recently by Elliot Danforth, chairman
of the Executive Committee of the Democratic
State Committee and that is to treat imperialism
and trusts as the main issues of the campaign and
gently to gloss over silver question. Mr. Bryan
has made several speeches of this kind recently
and ii is believed that he will accede to the request
although there is no one who thinks he can be in
O. H P. Belmont, who will give a dinner in Mr.
Bryan's honor the night of January p, intends
Gated that David B. Hill, ex-senator Murphy, Nor
man E Mack, Elliot Danforth John Whaen. John
sentatives of the Chicago Platform Democracy
will also be present, it is said. and an effort will
so that an harmonious delegation be sent to the
coming National Convention. This dinner, how
welcome which will be the real surrender of Tam
many to the Western conqueror