The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1896-07-23
THE MIDDLE-OF-THE-R FEI,-
Lows MAY QUIT THE CON-
VENTION
IF BRYAN is NOMINATED.
DAVIS ONE OFF THU
LEADERS OF THE PROPOSED
BOLT.
BUTLER's SPEECH WAS TEDIOUS.
rhe FIRST Day Ends With Bryan
Far and Away I'm the
Lead
speciaI to the Glnha

Special to the Globe.
ST. LOUIS, July 22.-The first ses-
sion of the convention today was dull.
but resulted in first blood for BRYAN.
The Populist committee undertook to
sell tickets at 81 per day, but it was a
failure, as only a few hundred were
in the galleries. The floor of the con-
vention hall was not large enough to
accommodate all the delegates, and sew
the place set apart for the aIternates.
AS very few alternates are here. this
did not disturb any one Texas was
one OF the states put over the fence,
and took revenge by holding a per-
petual mass meeting in it's section Of
called to order. After all the buster
of last night the middle-of-the-road
men did not dare to show their
strength by putting up a candidate
for temporary chairman. This was as
I expected and, if they keep on back
ing down as they have begun, they
will be voting for Bryan, with the
0CWdl1 dtldCUIlCuI, III d Qdy OF TWO.
The acceptance of Butler for chairman
without opposition is hailed by the
Bryan men as special victory, though
his speech was poorly delivered and
created no enthusiasm. Aside from
its friendliness to Bryan, 1t was only.
noteworthy for its length and tedious
ness. When Donnelly responded to ,
Gov. Stones address of welcome his
voice was inadequate for such a build
ing, and his effort plainly showed that
age has dimmed the old-time fire.
When the convention took recess
until evening a remarkable scene en-
sued. The middle-of-the-road men be-
came suddenly brave, and, taking pos
session of the platform, called a meet
ing of their own, which they continued
for two hours. At first more than hale
of the convention remained, but, after
listening to one or two speeches and
hearing a motion, which was put, IN
viting all Bryan men to leave, only
about geo remained. Congressman
Howard, of Georgia, who wrote IF
Christ Came to Congress- was the
first speaker He Is a fiorfd Southern
orator, and speaks with much force.
His remarks developed the situation
to. He said the Democrats shot them
down, burned their homes and ostra-
cised their families, and he begged
them, in behalf Of the wives and chill
dren of Southern Populists, in behalf
of their firesides, not to throw them
into the arms of their Democratic en-
emies by nominating Bryan. He had
large audience and received much
applause. Stump Ashley and "Cy-
clone" Davis, both Of Texas, followed,
the former being especially violent In
denouncing the Bryan men, including
Butler, the temporary chairman. Da-
Wis was about equally violent, but con-
cluded with his plan for a Populist
ticket and one set of electors for both
Democrats and PopuliSts. Both alleg-
ed the use of Doodle in behalf Of
Bryan, but there are so many Doodle
reports relative to Hannas agents try
ing to prevent Bryan's nomination that
their declarations seemed like especial
zeal in protesting. Both tried to quote
passages from Bryan's Chicago speech
and both did 1t incorrectly When
Davis concluded he was elected chair
man of the meeting.
Then Ashley got mad Picking up
his hat, he invited the Texas delega-
tion to meet with him at once at the
Lindell hotel, which is the Bryan
rendezvous. This made quite stir,
and Davis, taking the gavel, called
Ashley back and endeavored to sur
render it to him. While they were
parleying, another motion elected Ash
ley, and he presided. 1t is evident that
the great men from Texas have
troubles of their own. The roll call of
states, to appoint steering committee,
showed fifteen states now represented,
but one from each of the other states
was named. This aggregation will sup
ply the nucleus for bolt if one occurs.
I asked Cyclone" Davis after adjourn
ment, if Bryan and Sewall were nom
mated, if there would be a bolt He
said he could not conceive of such a
condition as their direct nomination,
but, pressed for direct answer, ad-
mitted that bolt was very probable
if they were named.
- H-Ir