Evening journal., 1909-12-17
DEMOCRATS In
FINE QUARTERS
Handsomely Fitted Home on
French Street Of the
League
LARGE BUILDING HAS BEEN
SPLENDDLY REMODELED

Those who are familiar with the old
days OF the Democratic League and It's
history will be surprised if they make
visit 10 the handsome club house on
French street. which has recently been
opened by the league after being
handsomely fitted up. The league now
possesses the finest Democratic club
house IN the State and as n conse-
uence It's membership Is constantly
growing. II has about thousand
members at present, and they are still
coming In.
The League, Il will be recalled. start
ed during the Bryan campaign OF 1896.
when many OF the Democratic leaders
and not a few OF the party workers
"laid down" on the ticket, and IL kept
the fire of Democratic regularity
brightly burning during those dark
days IN Delaware for the party. The
League had headquarters and a large
membership at Fourth and King
streets. and there nightly It was the
gathering place for the faithful, speci-
ally for the radical Democrats. IL had
plenty Of members and plenty OF on
thusiasm, but not 20 very much money,
and as for the old time leaders OF the
party, they didn't often come around.
But the league lived and fourished
and talked Bryan and silver, and later
Imperialism. And Bryan and others.
Berry Of Chester included. visited the
League quite often and made speeches.
Some time ago the leaders OF the
League learned that they would be
forced to move from their headquarters
and they were In great quandary as
a.. -. l.
much regretted the necessity OF NOV
ing. for there WIRE pleasant associa-
tions connected with the old club
rooms. bare and oheerless as they
were compared with the homo which
the League now occupies.
Then some OF the wise heads OF the
League. Street and Sewer Director
John G.. Gray and others put their
heads together. After considerable
dickering they decided to buy the Hart
property on French street. They arrang-
ed a satisfactory plan to finance
the new house project, so that the
League is or ought to be on easy
street as well as on French street.
The house is we'll adapted TO club
purposes small army Of worSmen
became busy in remodellng the club
house. and the way Il looks now shows
that the prosperity OF the League has
kept pace with the prosperity that has
come to the pocketboolS OF it's patron
saint, Mr.. Bryan.
At any rate, eyes OF Democrats and
Of others are opened as they enter the
club house and see what has been
done. on the first floor there is a
large reception room, to the right.
which has been well fitted up with
easy chairs and rugs and a hard wood
noor that was especially laid. The
ceiling is a sky of electric lights.
Going up the stairs the visitor finds
the main meeting room 10 the front
a large. beautifully htted-up room. The
color scheme is red, for during a poll.
| tical campaign the members OF tho
League are red hot. burning with party
enthusiasm. There IS mission furniture
big comfortable chairs. tables. a fine
desk and everything necessary for a
political meeting or any other kind
Of a meeting. The effect is very
pretty.
To the rear Of this meeting room
is a small reception room for any
/ guest who may speak, who may be
entertained, speakers from a distance
and the like. This room is IN green.
very nice looking, with chairs, bureaus,
a table and everything. And n a
guest should be caught in the city and
lack for a sleeping chamber this room
could be and win be used. Then IT
Is room that can be used for a lit
tie private meeting Of the three or
four. There is also a bath and other
cOnveniences.
Down in the basement OF the club
house are pool tables. shuttle boards.
and there will be bowling and other
games.
Old time Democrats have been sur
prised at the completeness Of all this.
MEETING PLACE FOR Committees.
The third floor has not yet been fitted
up. but the purpose is to have IL as
headquarters for any county or state
OF city committee that wishes 20 avail
itself Of the hospitality Of the
League. The idea is 10 make this
floor the center Of Democratic activity
in Delaware. Party records and such
things will be kept there, and COM
mitteemen will always be welcome to
use the room.
Altogether the active members Of the
Democratic League are an inch or
more taller. and justly so. since they
have taken possession of their new
club house for II is a place good to
look upon. Soft lights with frosted
globes, that shed a pleasant radiance
down The room is light colored in
paper. there is some good furniture,
and the League intends to make some
further improvements. There is a
picture Of Colonel Bryan I'm the room.
fine portrait I'm a conspicuous posi-
ton. Remarkable for a political club
house this is the only photograph in
the building. Those who have charge
of the building say that they con-
cluded to depart from the ordinary
practice In political club houses-that
Of having portraits Of citizens OF vari-
GUS degrees Of prominence hung
around, and most of the visitors have
commented most favorably upon the
change. There is all sorts of original
fancy work on the hall wall, which
makes a striking appearance. Back of
the parlor Is an unique and cosy room.
smoking room furnished In patterns
after old time furniture. on the walls
are lockers and any Democrat who
wants one of these lockers can rent
one and cut his initials on the door,
and they will stay there for all time,
the committee say.
This room will be a favorite place
for the clans that gather at the club
house, and from here the batteries may
l - t,,~,,od t,roy1 claimants or auy ofhor