The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-07-11
THE FIRST NIGHT SESSION.
Another Ovation to Mr.. Hendricks-Readin
the Platform.

y #
Another ovation to Mr.. Hendricks Reading
the Platform.
Special to the Indianapolis Journal.
CHICAGO, July 10.-The first night session of
the convention drew out an immense crowd,
and the scene in the hail. which is illuminated
by fifty large chandeliers, besides thousands of
side lights, was unusually brilliant Mr. Hen
bricks came in at the head of the Indiana dele
cation, with Henry Watterson, and was given
the most enthusiastic and demonstrative recep
ton yet accorded anybody. Ben Butler again
made his usual opportune arrival and was
greeted with storm Of cheers
and not few Kisses. AS the committee on
resolutions was not yet ready to report, the time
was occupied in appointing from the various
States members of the national committee and
the committee to notify the candidates of their
nomination Nearly all the old national com
Inittee were reelected, the member from Indi-
ana being Austin H. Brown, of Indianapolis
and for the committee on notification Colonel
E. D, Bannister, of Lawrenceburg
While this routine business was being trans
acted, General Butler, arrayed in full evening
dress, climbed upon the stage for the purpose of
reading his report as member of the minority
of the committee on resolutions, amidst
much cheering Preliminary to the
reading however resolution was
offered to instruct the national committe to
abate the two thirds rule in future conventions;
and while it was being discussed Butler laugh
ingly remarked to Col. Villas: THAT rule is all
right; if man can't get two-thirds vote he
should not have the nomination" The sacred
ness with which party traditions are observed
by the Democracy was again demonstrated by
the promptness with which the convention in
definitely postponed the resolution, which pro
posed such a revolutionary measure.
The majority report, lengthy and verbose
document making the usual arraign-
ment of the Republicans, and about
the same declarations Of principles, was read by
Colonel Bell, of Ohio. After the first few para
graphs had been read the interest seemed to die
OUT, and there was such confusion in the hall
that the remainder could scarcely be heard
There was aadecided outburst Of applause when
the tariff plank was read, and faint murmer
where reference was made to sumptuary legisla-
ton, in accordance with the approved Indiana
plan, of which w. H English is the inventor
and sole proprietor, but the remainder
demonstrations. At the conclusion of
the reading Congressman Morrison, of nli-
nois, stated that he would give way to General
Butler, who would present the minority report
and would then speak in its favor for thirty min
utes, to be followed by Mr.. Converse of Ohio,
and Henry Watterson and then the previous
question would be moved. While the clerk was
reading the minority report, General Butler sat
back on the platform chewing the end of a cigar
which he had bitten off, and economically placed
the other piece in his mouth, and, laughing and
chatting with the gentlemen around him, he was
apparently in the best Of spirits and nodded ap-
provingly when various points in his platform
were applauded.
When Butler got up to speak there was much
cheering, butit was noticeable that it came prin-
cipally from the galleries, and not from the
body Of the convention. Hs spoke earnestly
and forcibly, and was listened to with attention
When he referred to Senator Thurman as the
advocate of the Greenback idea, he turned
around and smiled benignly upon the gentlemen
behind him. His declaration that the honest
men of the Greenback party were ready to join
the Democracy, if properly encouraged, was
regarded as rather significant Several times
during his speech his voice was drowned out
by Kisses and cries of ''Iime" Time, to
which he paid no particular attention The
effect of his speech, however, was greatly i'm
paired by his frequent frivolous illusions and
personalities
He was followed by Mr.. Converse of Ohio,
digni6ed gentleman and an effective speaker, and
his opening statement that the majority report
was indorsed by all the States represented in
the committee, except one, did much to help his
argument. When he said that the central idea
of the platform was to reform all departments of
the government, General Butler interrupted him,
saying: You must get it before you can re-
form it
: Henry Watterson, who briefly closed the debate,
was cordially received, and spoke with earnest
ness and force. his sarcastic reference to Butler
calling forth howl Of approval.
Under the operation Of the previous question,
the motion made by Butler to substitute his
tariff plank, which favored protection, for that
made by the majority, was overwhelmingly de-