The record-union., 1896-07-11
Chosen by the Convention on
The Fifth Ballot
The New York Delegates Take No
Part in the Proceedings
Nominee for Yiee-President to be BallOted
Upon This Morning.

CHICAGO, July 10.-William J. Bryan
OF Nebraska was selected to-day as the
standard bearer of the Democratic party
In the campaign for the Presidency OF
the United States. Yesterday when the
handsome Nebraskan mounted the rOS-
trum in the convention hall to close the
debate on the party platform he was
considered the merest possibility in the
race for the honor to be conferred. Half
ali hour later, when he concluded his
great effort, he became seeming prob
ability. With the hours his chances
grew, and when the convention resumed
business this morning he had been es-
tablished as Richard P. BANDS most
formidable competitor. AS the ballot
ing progressed his popularity among the
delegates became more and more appar-
ent, and his strength in votes went by
leaps and bounds until the elimination
came in the capture of Illinois and Ohio
and the withdrawal of Bland, with the
consequent transfer of Missouri to the
Bryan column.
There were no glaring tranSparencies,
nc sized Autographs, no special
bands of music, to attract to the elo-
quent young lawyer and newspaper
man. The modest banner of the William
J. Bryan Club, a Nebraska organization,
was the only conspicuous emblem of the
Bryan cause. During the night a stand
ard had been prepared bearing the con-
Guiding words of Bryan's speech of yes
terday, mo crown of thorns, no cross of
gold" and this alone was the most sug-
gestive outward indication that the Ne
braskan was in the race to stay.
But it needed no artificial means such
as these to keep the name of Bryan to
the fore. His striking presence, his
earnest bearing, his wonderful melodi-
BUSINESS of voice, as exhibited in his
speech, had not faded from the minds Of
delegates and spectators, and every
mention of his name brought forth
hearty cheers that told the story of the
firm hold he had upon those who could
make or unmake him in his Presidential
aspirations and upon the thousands of
onlookers.
The battle of the ballots was fought
with a doggedness that showed a firm
determination on the part of those
pledged to particular candidates TO be
consistent in the desire of their hearts,
but the standard of Bryan was pressed
nearer and nearer TO the point Of van
tage At first he gained slowly, then
a great leap would be made as some del
egation of formidable numbers would
throw in it's lot with his cohorts. The
fourth ballot was reached, and the re-
suit was still uncertain, but at its end
Bryan was all but within the goal. Dele
gates and audiences became excited
when 1t became apparent that the Ne
braskan had gathered many recruits
from the Bland forces, and cheer after
cheer went up from the floor and gal
iery. A rumor went round the vast hall
that Illinois, consistent as Missouri
to the lifelong champion of free silver,
was wavering, and when Governor Alt
geld and his associates withdrew for
consultation the excitement grew to
fever heat Change followed change in
the ballots cast in the various States,
and all went to the man from the Platte,
and when Illinois, Ohio and finally Mis-
souri, threw their strength to his sup
port, the race had been won, and Will
lam ]. Bryan stood forth in triumph as
the leader of his party.
Exhausted by cheering the name of
the Nebraskan, the vast congregation
In the convention was slow to avail 1t
self of the opportunity for displaying the
full extent of its vigor, but it gradually
rose to the demands of the occasion,
and turned loose a volume of sound that
made the iron roof tremble in unison.
Every man and woman in the hall was
standing as the Bryan supporters on
the oor grasped the guidons indicat-
ing the positions of the various States
and marched in triumph through the
aisles bounding the square spaces re-
served for delegates, and as the guid-
ons of other States Joined the pro-
cession the cheering became madly in
tense. Bland banners, Roies banners
and emblems Of other candidates Tell
into line. and the eliminating point in
the enthusiasm was reached when the
Bland band. headed by the numerous
transparencies bearing the Missouri
mans name. took step with the rest and
bent their endeavors to "Dixie's" quick
step.
When ii was all over people fell back
In their chairs weak and exhausted, and
listened quietly TO the formalitiss which
concluded the session.
Tonight a session was held for the
purpose of selecting the candidate for
Vice. President, but without proceeding
TO a ballot an adjournment was forced
upon them until 10 O'Clock tomorrow
morning.
CONVENTION PROCEEDINGS.
w. j. Bryan Nominated for President