New-York tribune., 1904-10-26
TOWNE TO EMPTY CHAIRS.
He AHozos Cunneen to Edge in Re
marks at Lonely Meeting.

Hundreds Of empty chairs. divided attention or
general torpor among those present, were features
Of the Democratic meeting at Carnegie nan lsS'
night The meeting was under the auspices oI 'i1
Citizens Independent Democracy. Ihe peanut
gallery was empty for Attorney General Cunneen
was the principal speaker. and his fame had gone
before him.
At least Mr.. Cunneen was scheduled as the prin-
ctpal speaker
Owing however to the modesty and crisp hrevity
disnIayed BY ex- Senator Towne, who spoke Tor
the best part of an hour and half. giving renh-
nscences of his tourist trip IN the Mediterranean
il was nearly 1O:SO p. before the Attorney cen
eraI could get a word in edgewise
In expectation of vast crowd more than tWp
hundred patrolmen were stationed about the hall.
with orders to admit one without a card.
At 8 o'clock when the meeting opened. however
there many yawning spaces that ule EN-
barge was hurriedly raised. The police were quietY
instructed not only not to refuse any one without
a ticket but. as far their duty permitted TO go
out into the highways and bring people in oy force
Despite their heroic measures the hall remained
at least two-thirds empty throughout the evening
So garingly obvious became the paucity Of the
audience that Mr. Towne was fain TO say: ct sin
cerely hope Mr.. Secretary Hay will have larger
audience tomorrow night
1t was estimated that the police formed in num-
bers far from one-fourth OF the entire audience
IL was noticeable that before the meeting ended
there was scarcely bIuecoat remaining in the body
Of the hall.
Until a few days ago when he seeded owing to
pressure from Boss Murphy. Mr.. Towne was
fun hedged Populist candidate. and his references
last night to Thomas jefferson, Watson's ideal.
We're neither few nor far between.
Mr. Towns told his audience that the Democratic
party already ''tingled with the thrill of anticipa
tory victory and lashed himself into ine fury
in attacking The New-YOrk Herald for its con-
demnation % Parkers "scuttle policy"
Il believe I know than The New-YOrl
Herald said Mr Towne. thereat rOusing such
amusement that he tried to qualify his statement
Mr.. Towne's brief references TO both Cleveland
and Bryan were wildly cheered
Before the meeting was called 10 order oy VIII
lam Harmon Black. man who occupied a front
seat and said.
Gentlemen Of the Committee: 1t seems 10 nae
that for some singular reason we're alone tonight
but We have hopes
Then the speaker was interrupted by Chairman
Black. and told that he was not on the PRO
gramme.
Mr.. Jackson the secretary read letter from
Mayor Mcclellan, who wrote:
Your position is In many respects enviable, for
you can, without being subject to the imputauOn OF
blind partisan prejudice or party coercion IN any
FORM whatever attack and attempt to remedy tne
our country. resulting from the unrestrained power
with peculiar ftness and force you can attack
the outrageous expressions wrought upon the Amer
constitutes the cardinal principle OF the Repuoll-
can party. And YOU can set before the people @ Jne
BY means Of which those expressions are sought 10
ne abolished,
When Mr. Towne had exhausted his own thoughts
and his audiences patience he permitted AR Gun
neen to make few choice remarks on the Fur
naceviTe Iron Company contract.
Mi Cunneen said that Mr.. Roots reported state
ment that the company's contract provided that
rock should include hardpan incorrect.
I discovered Mr.. Cunneen continued that
large sums OF money have been given TO corpora
lions engaged in manufacturing beet sugar; that
large amounts Of public money have been paid
TO placehoders for the ostensible purpose of giving
instruction in the best methods Of growing beets.
and that the State, after having furnished money
to carry on the business and instructions at the
public expense. has bought. and is now buying;
sugar for tae public institutions OF the State OF
these corporations instructors for rive years cost
S24 $50 "a Bountiss paid 70 the sugar producing
CORPORATIONS for four years have amounted TO $252
5s6 z. The Empire Beet Sugar Company in De-
cember. 1903. and the Binghamton Beet Sugar Com
pany in November and December sold 70 the state
hospitals 50 452 43 worth OF sugar. II is probable
charity Institutions But to these corporations has
the stockholders? Why this faNoritism2"