Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1896-07-23
MET IN" DARK.

NJ L'ShO -'V session Oh 'he
Popur % ,A-NO Work Done.
St 80 July 22.-when eight
@ ~ hour for the convention to
JS arrived, the hall was still in
darkness. The delegates were
N.uddled in the seats in front Of the plat
form, while CHASTITY groups of faces
swayed in the light of the few candles
that flickered on the press tables. About
this time some shrewd Middle OF the
Reader thought he discovered that the
refusal to tjnn on the lights was part of
a scheme Of the Bryan people to prevent
the straight-out element from controll-
ing. This suspicion that the lights were
out in the interest of q faction as they
were turned cut at a Cincinnati con-
vention in 1876 by the opponents OF MIR.
Blaine, aroused a storm Of protests and
he Middle OF the Readers were charg-
ing about in the dark to discover the
cause of the unprecedented situation.
Its a scheme of the Bryan men," the
Texas delegation shouted. Some one
mounted the stage and yelled: The
Bryan people have put cut the lights,
but they nominate Bryan we'll split this
convention wide open"'
You're a disgrace to the party!' came
emphatically from the black cayernous
depths Of The hall.
BY this time the aisles were choked
with delegates pushing and cropping
their way about in the dark. There be-
gan TO be some apprehension OF some
sudden alarm which might stampede the
delegates and cause a disaster and the
leaders began discussing the advisable
ity of adjOurniug the convention until
tomorrow morning. The band, under
instructions, kept ~ a constant fusilade
OF airs TO allay the fears of any who
might be alarmed. Whenever the band
played a hymn the delegates Joined in
the chorus. Some Of the ether rollick-
ing songs like John Browns Body"
and Marching Through Georgia, were
also sung enthusiastically. At $40
Cyclone" Davis mounted the stage and
tried to secure order, but the crowd re-
fused TO listen until some one held
lighted candle in front of his face. AS
his tall form and broad, sweeping SOM
brerO came within the narrow range of
the light from the tsllow dip the dele
gates Immediately recognized him and
there were shouts of Shut up keep
quiet" listen to rCyclcne" When he
could make himself heard he announced
that the electric wires were "discon-
nec.ed." but they would be all right in e
few minutes; whereupon there were
cheers of approval, and the band struck
up another tune.
Delegate Webster, of 81. Louis, moved
that a committee be appointed to await
upon the officers of the convention and
ascertain why they were not present.
A chorus of voices seconded the motion.
but nobody moved and no committee
was appointed.
Then the band in the gallery broke
out with the stirring strains of Dixie"
and the old Southern song was answer
cd hv the rear of 1000 throa-s.
Mrs. Mary r. Lease came 10 the stage
and was appealed 10 make speech, but
she declined 10 talk in the dark.
"Wait until thsy turn on the lights"
said she. and TT ts,k to YOU all night"
AT S:45 Chairman Butler appeared on
the stage. The band played Put Ne
Off At Buffalo" and then Senator But
Ter called the convention to order He
announced that the committee on Gre
dentials would not be able TO report
tonight and that as owing to an acci-
cent there was no light, ne would de-
clare the convention in recess until 10
o'clock tomorrow morning The del
egaJes, many of them with evident re-
luctsnca, then quilted the hall.