Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1896-07-26
THE CONVENTION IN DETAIL.

THE CONVENTION IN DETAIL.
How the Nomination was Made-Scenes of
Enthusiasm and Disorder-A Long Ses.
ion.
st. Louis, Mo-, July 25.-There was
inextricable confusion on the floor Of
the auditorium before the convention
met. The delegates stood about in an
imated groups discussing the situation
and what it was best to do The Bryan
feeling was very strong, but the tele-
gram from the Nebraskan declaring that
he would not accept the nomination,
rendered the situation chaotic. Many
desired to nominate Bryan in the face
of this telegram. Tom Patterson, of
Colorado, and Ex-Governor Llewelling,
of Kansas, however, said this would not
do They counselled out that an en-
dorsement which did not require an ac-
ceptance was the way out Of the tangle.
Cyclone" Davis and other radicals,
however, insisted that Bryan could not
refuse. and if he did the responsibility
for the disaster at the polls would rest
on the Democracy, not the Populists.
Senator Allen called the convention
to order at 9:35. After the invocation
a Connecticut delegate rose TO protest
against further display of lung power
that had characterized the first three
days Of the convention. He thought
it was about time the convention exer-
cised a little horse sense" His state
ment was given a round OF applause.
Chairman Allen announced that the
first thing in order was the selection
OF members of the national committee
and the committees to notify the candi-
dates for president and vice president.
The hall presented dilapidated appear
ance. The paper and dirt that Uttered
the floor when the convention adjourned
shortly before one o'clock this morning
had not been remwed, the State guidons
had not been Strengthened and pointed
like bunch OF telescopes at all the
consultations in the heavens. The Mid
die of the Road banner triumDhantly
reared itself from the heart of the Lone
Star delegation. The only fresh thing
in the hall was strip of muslin tackled
to the balcony above the stage bearing
the legend: Work in the interest of
humanity There were not one hun
dred people in the gallery. One belated
.str2ggler who had probably remained
in the hall all night continued his slum-
bers peacefully stretched out on the
floor in remote portion Of the hall.
The band was not present and there
was no music.
IGNATIUS DONNELLY GOT ON A
CHAIR
and announced that his private land
plank did not appear in the printed plat
form. He wanted the convention to un-
derstand that it had been adopted.
The chairman then called for the NOM
nations of President, and Judge Green.
OF Nebraska, took the stage to place Mr..
Bryan in nomination. He said the con-
vention was here to name the next Pres
ident Of the republic The convention
! had already, he said, selected the Vice
President.
That noble son Of the South, Thomas
| E. Watson. CCheers.) He had not
named his candidate, however. before a
Texas delegate interrupted with the
point Of order that the States must be
called in alphabetical order for nomi-
nations. Judge Green was driven of
the stage by the Texans point of order
but the convention resented It, and on
the motion of an Arkansas delegate the
! rules were suspended and Judge Green
was recalled TO the stage. He did not
| place Mr.. Bryan in nomination, how
ever. When Alabama was called. Gov
I ernor Kolb yielded to Gen. Weaver. OF
Iowa. Gen Weaver came forward and
formally placed Mr.. Bryan in nomina-
tion.
Gen. Weaver in his opening remarks
asked the convention not to applaud,
and the delegates listened 10 him without
much demonstration. But when he
concluded by naming that splendid
young statesman, Wm. ]. Bryan, the
convention broke loose. Cheer follow
ed cheer. The delegates jumped to
their chairs. and flags, handkerchiefs,
coats, hats. State guidons were waved
in wild confusion.
Through one of the side entrances four
men carried
a BIG YELLOW CROSS,
four by eight feet In size. surmounted by
crown of thornes. On it was fnscrib-
d the eloquent words with which Bry-
an closed his brilliant speech at Chica-
go, You shall not press crown Of
thorns upon the brow Of labor. you shall
not cruelty mankind upon 4 cross OF
gold"
a big crayon portrait Of the Nebraska
statesman was also carried into the hall.
Crossed banners and State guidons were
carried frantically about the pit Then.
with the cross leading. they were carried
TO the stage. where for five minutes they
danced IN confusion, while tbs delegates
howled with delight. As the procession
paSsed TIE Texas delegation a free fight
almost occurred. Men struggled and
fought to clear the passage, but the way
was finally cleared. Several men fought
Ike mad over the possession Of the Mis-
souri, standard. 1t was broken into bits,
but stalwart young Bryan man car
ried a piece Of 1t through in triumph to