The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1896-07-25
Senator Allen Chosen as PeTma-
nGlt Chairman.
CROPPING IN THE DARK,
The Bryan Wing Control the Convex
tlOn-HiS Supporters JubiIalt.

them to order and introduced Governor
Stone of Missouri, who delivered an
address Of welcome. Ignatius Donnel-
ly, of Minnesota, responded to Gov
ernor Stones address and paid high
compliment to st. Louis. Chairman
Taubeneck then introduced Senator
Butler as temporary chairman of the
convention. His speech aroused much
enthusiasm and at various points was
marked with applause. At the close of
Buffers speech there was prolonged
applause. The states were then called
for the credentials committee, after
which recess was taken to o'clock
that evening.
When O'Clock, the hour for the con-
vention to convene arrived, the hall
was still in darkness. Some shrewd
middle of the rOader thought he dis
covered that the refusal to turn on the
light was part of a scheme of the Bry-
an people to prevent the straight out
element from controlling. This suspi.
cion that the lights were out in the in
terest of faction aroused a storm of
protests and the middle of the readers
went charging about in the dark to dis
cover the cause of the unprecedented
situation.
"It's a scheme of the Rryan men,"
the Texas delegation shouted. Some
one mounted the stage and yelled:
''The Bryan people have put out the
lights, but if they nominate Bryan we
will split this convention wide Open.''
YOU'RE disgrace to the partyw
came emphatiCally from the black cav
ernOus depth 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 disaster, and
the leaders began discussing the advis-
ability of adjourning.
"CyclOne" Davis mounted the stage
and tried to secure order. When he
could make himself heard he announced
that the electric wires were "disaffect-
ed" but that they would be all right in
few minutes, whereupon there were
cheers of approval and the band struck
up another tune.
Delegate Webster of St. Louis, moved
that committee be appointed to wait
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 answered by the roar of
10000 Threats.
AT this juneture Mary E. Lease came
to the stage and was appealed to to
make speech, but she declined to talk
in the dark.
AT S;45 Chairman Butler appeared
on the stage. The band played "Put
Me OFF at Buffalo," and then Senator
Butler called the convention to order.
He announced that the committee on
credentials would not be able to report |
tonight and that, as, owing to an acct.
dent, there was no light, he would de- |
clare the convention in recess until 10 |
o'clock tomorrow morning. The dele. |
gates, many Of them with reluctance.
then quilted the hall.
At l0:15 Thursday Chairman Butler
called the POpulists convention to
order. The report of the credentials
was called for but there was
no response. The committee on per.
manent organization was announced
and retired for consultation. Clarence
E. Homily, of Oklahoma, took the
platform and recalled the convention
with campaign speech. Mrs. Penn
lngtoG, of Arkansas, was introduced
and sand aparodY on yankee Doodle /"
A motion was made to admit the
delegates Of the silver convention on
their badges, but the mo-
'IOn was ruled out OF order,
The committee on permanent organ.
cation announced the selection of Sen.
ator Allen, of Nebraska, for permanent
was signal for demonstra-
Ion lasting several minutes.
j. W. Hayes, of New Jersey, was Sc.
ected for secretary and the other tenn
'orary officers were made permanent.
The minority report naming James
;. Campion, of Maine for permanent
set the middle of the road
men on end. The Texas and Georgia
delegates climbed on their chair and
elled like Comache Indians. Several
arge middle of the road banners were
'araded through the aisles. The west. :
IN delegates as rule took no part in
he demonstration. One Of the L
ieorgis delegates pulled up his state G.