New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-06-22


utfcring the name OF the temporary o""i num- ''A'
one in The hall yelled
sit down on that platform
The remark created laugh, ard yet nobody
knew lust why Mr.. Brice repeated the namc' W.
C. Owens. OF Kentucky" and general applause
Completing tie list OF temporary or'oe's'
he announced the names Of Adlai +. StevenSon OF
Illinois: Charles l. Jcwett. Of Inii,na, ana Ihonas
Wilson. Of Minnesota, as the committee who should
escort Mr.. Owens TO the chair The committee
started in search OF Mr.. owens ana
found him at last snugly located among his iciow-
DELEGATES They brought him forth. AMI MT.
Stephenson extending his arm TO the man VINO
had received the primary honors OF the conNeh-
tlon the quartettc moved toward the platform
amid considerable. though not enthusiastic. ap-
plause.
THE TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN.
Mr. Owens is man in middle life, some
what above the medium height. with smooth
shavcn face and dark brown hair, and he
was dressed in plain black clothes. lie walked
forward and took his place after the manner OF
a man who is possessed of at least fair degree
of confidence in himself His features were in
cincd 10 sternness Of expression, but were pleas
ing. though not indicative OF unusual force OF
character or intelligence. Tie has good tenor
voice, though it was lacking in penetrating
quality and his accent was at times Gloggy ana
indistnct. His style was suggestive OF the Old
time Southern school of oratory adapted by
modification 10 the improved taste Of the present
day Thirty or forty years ago had he exercised
his powcrs in that era he would undoubtedly have
taken rank among the silver-tonguci variety OF
Southern orators, of which Congressman w. c.
p Breckenridge is to-day lingering living type
These are Of kind that generally blaze a path
way" TO something, and Mr. Owens sailed
directly to the point by blazing
pathway" for the Democratic party to victory
lie counsclled unity and harmony as essential
clements in the attainment Of that end, and he
aeured his associates that if they wonll only
themselves work in wisdom the millions toiling
in shop and mine and Geld would rise and call
them blessed n phrase which for some reason
or other excited round Of laughter, inter-
ferng with what was no doubt intended 70 oe
a wcll-meaning. well-conditoncd and spontaneous
outburst OF applause.
BARBs FOR FLOWER AND BRICE
Whcn he announced that "ths must be
Of education,' even some OF the d'r-
gates smiled. and many laughed later when 'l"'
orator declared that the people must learn their
true relation TO the taNsathcrer. They must
learn that no railroad presidents champion the
tribuncs OF the people-no task-masters write our
tariff bills Chairman Brice, who SIT near thr
orator. was not observed 10 applaud this remark
with nickel plated castuncts concealed in the pains
Of his hands. but he looked eravcly in front OF
him during the feeble applause which snccrcncn
this edct of ostracism against class Of very usc-
full citizens with whom he has cnloveI extremely
pleasant and profitable associations In the past
Although Governor Flower had lowered his nm
brclla which he he'd raised above his head during
the prevalence Of the thunderstorm. he could not
be discovered from the platform among
the mass Of delegates by whom he
was surrounded. But il he heard this
oil scrvotion AZ all he must have experienced
relief in the fact that the anathcma of the Ken
tuckian was hurled only at the chief executive
Of the corporations and not AZ the individuals
constituting the directories. The only inrelgi
bic Interpretation applied 10 the rather opa1ne
cn,cnce was that IL was intended 10
fer TO Mr.. Depcw's part in the Minneapolis Con-
vcnton. and lie speech plncng President Harrison
in nomination
But Mr. Owens did extract genuine laughter,
undsturlcd by any disoordant thread Of sarcasm,
when he declared TINT the people hHd dct"r
mined that billion dollars was far TOO much to pay
for such a museum Of freaks" NJ this
cutting alusiou 10 BODY OF which William u
Springer was a conspicuous member, that gentle
man leaned back in his chair ana hS'cssy
famed himself until the outbreak OF appreciation
Of the harsh pleasantly hal snb'icei. Cong rc's'
nan Allen, o. Mississippi. evidently enjoyed tic
classification but he laughed with amazing heart-
ness for one who is - seriously inclined. Amos
Cummings, who sat in tho pit among the dee
eat,s betrayed doubtful evidences OF amusement,
but like n true knight who only smiles on re-
cciving severe thrust. in order IN stimulate con
fidcnce in his qualities Of endurance. lie quite
successfully concealed whatever Ct pain he may
have felt from being puncturcd by SO wcll-di-
rcctcd shaft.
OWENS RETIRT>, AMID LOUD LAUGHTER.
Mr.. Owens is un1ucstionnbly fond Of striking
and heroic SMILES, even though he may be lack
ing in the ability TO give expression to his
thoughts in true Iomerc form or thoroughly
poetic style Az he began, 70 lie ended with
hint as 10 the importance Of party unity. Inc
closing sentence Of lis speech as II fell, worI by
word, from his lips caused stiffness, as OF gc'"ral
expectancy Of a thrilling climax TO ovcrcpread
the vast audience Even the waving Of fans was
temporarily suspended, and lipS that were partci
when the orator began bis .peroration refused "
close lest something destined TO Immortality IN the
rhetorical history " great ascmblagcs might bc
stature he exclaimed int our cause may
triumph let Us work in kindlincss. In the heat
of contention let us not forget that our political
brothers may be just as honest and perhaps better
informed lmpelled by one purpose, the pnblic
good, we will free ourselves from the chickering's
that characterized the Republican party when its
Marshall hey went down at Minneapolis before
the mailed legions Of the bread and butter
brigade" Here was indeed a climax OF an unex,
pected quality. The appeal for party unity. had
started by an Invocation for the exercise " the
noble spirit of charity: At the mention of the
name Of Ney the flight Of the ora:or'S fancy
seemed about IL pierce the lofty pinnacle Of
martial fame for smile 10 seek inspiration
in come thrilling legend associated with the history
and career of the graf soldier Of France, when all
ar ono. and with an unexpectedncss which rarely
startled an audience outside Of theatre he
descended 10 the honcly and commonplace article Of
bread and butter, causing the ereat asscmblage TO
break into loud laughter, in the midst Of which lie
retired to the place he subsequently, occupied as