Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1896-07-08
BEFORE THE CONVENTION,
All Roads Led to the Coliseum, Out o,
the Lake Front.


the Lake Front.
' CHICAGO, July S.-All roads lead to
the Coliseum, where at II clock Chair
man Harrity called to order the Demo-
cratic national convention. The vast
structure is appropriately named after
the one where Roman gladiators con-
tended, foa this is a battle royal which
promises ts add memorable chapter 30
American political history. The day
opened clear and cool. The wind had
veered to the north and came with a
freshness which covered the lake with
whitecaps and sent the spray dashing
over the breakwater 1t is day when
small craft hug the shore, and this
means comfort for the thousands who
are turned toward the Coliseum.
The Scene of Action Shifts.
The scene of action took sudden
shift during the morning Early in the
! day, the down town centers had rep
etition of the excitement and confusion
marking the last few days. The march
ing clubs, with their bands and shout
ers, were making last convulsive
demonstration before attention was di-
rected to the serious work within the
convention hall.
By 8 o'clock the crowds were begin
ming to converge at the depots, and by
10 they were in full motion, taking the
suburban trains of the Illinois Central
railroad, the L cars and the electric
lines The ride by rail is but 10 min
utes from the heart of the city, along
the stretch of lake front and the other
means of conveyance take but little
longer It is the same complete system
that accomplished the feat of carrying
100000 people to the worlds fair on
Chicago day, so that it was not over
taxed in handling the $4,000 that were
in the hall and the overflow thousands
outside
Sergeant at Arms Martin was on hand
at an early hour with his staff of 900
assistant sergeants- at arms, doorkeepers'
and pages who were admitted to the
building while the crowd clamored out
side At 10 O'Clock the doors were
opened and the wild rush for admission
began Within the main hall the deco
rations were artistic and effective.
Developments Were Anticipated.
1t was the general feeling that the
day might bring interesting develop
ments, although the opening convention
day is usually one of formalities. The
outlook, however, was for struggle
from the start, an early test of strength
and possibly the execution Of the vague
threats that have been made to leave
the hall under certain circumstances.
The sentiment that participation in
convention bound those present, led to
the belief that if there were any with
drawals they would come early.
The clash between Senator Hill and
Senator Daniel, over the temporary
craftsmanship, was awaited with eager
interest. 1t was strange coincidence
showing the shifts of politics, that four
years ago, when the Democratic con-
vention met here, Senator Daniel was
the one to place Senator Hill in nomi-
nation for the presidency.
Among the presidential candidates,
the most that could be said was that
Bland maintained the lead, but it was
not one commanding a certain majority,
much less a two-thirds vote, and the
delegates looked for deadlocks and dark
horses
1t was IL 80 when the doors of the
convention hall proper were opened for
the admission of delegates and ticket
holders.
Senator Jones Came Early.
One of the first leaders to enter was
Senator Jones of Arkansas He stood
at the staff of his state greeting all who
approached him, cordially and good
naturedly, seemingly cool and unrufhed,
as he surveyed the field and confronted
the first clash of the battle which was !,
SO soon to begin.
Governor Altgeld came over and held
an earnest consultation with the leader
of the silver forces. Senator Cockrel
of Missouri, one of the managers of the
Bland boom who looks like an animated
Uncle Sam, and who is affectionately
known in his own state as FOld Gan
den Sass, the poorest man in the United
States senate, with his colleague, Sen
ator White of California, were the 4
next prominent arrivals Senator
Harris, the famous Tennessee octo-
genarian VIII rules the senate with a
rod Of iron and who has been the rnostiI
conspicuous, man in Tennessee for 40|E
years, came in hot and perspiring after
his tussle with the minions of the law
at the entrance. At 1850 one Of the
Bland bands entered the. south entrance
playing Dixie" This caused the first
burst of enthusiasm and the air was
greeted with a whirl of cheers. When.I
the air was shifted to columbia
the hurrahs were renewed. The pita
was soldly filed but it was generally
remarked that gold delegates were en-