The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-07-11

mounted the rostrum in the corv"r-
tional hall to close the debate on tho
party platform he was considered the
mercst possibility IN the race for the
honor 10 be- conferred: half an hour later.
when he concluded his great rhetorical
effort. he had become a seeming ~ "a
biiity with the hours OF tho nigh. his
chances grew. and when the convention
resumed business this morning he had
been established as Richard L. BANDS
most formidable competitor. A. The
balloting progressed his popularity among
the delegates became NOR. AMI more APP
parent. and his strength in vote wont by
leaps aud bounds. until the elimination
came in the capture OF Illinois add ohio.
and the withdrawal OF Bland. WIN the
consequent transfer of Missp-b 10 the
Bryan column. There We're no ga <
transpare1cies. no lfc-sized lithp- apis.
no special bands of music % attract 10
the eloquent young lawyer and newspaper
man The modest banner Of the "'!idn
j. Bryan Club. a Nebraska org anizauOr,
was the only conspicuous emblem OF the
Bryan cause.
ONLY ONE STANDARD.
During the night Il standard mad been
prepared bearing the concluding words
OF Bryan's speech Of yesterday: NO
this alone was the most suggestive out
ward indication that the Nebraskan Was
in the race 10 stay. But II needed no
artificial means such as those 10 Keep
the name OF Bryan 10 the fore. His
striking presence, mis- earnest bearing,
his wonderful righteousness Of voice, as
exhibited In his speech, had not faded
from the minds Of the delegates ana spec
tators. and every mention of his name
HrtsLf I.r OH h.t told
the story OF the firm hold he had upon
those VINO could make or unmake him
I'm his presidential aspirations. and upon
the thousands who were onlookers and
not active participants
The battle OF the ballots was fought
with "a doggedness that showed a firm de-
termination on the part Of those pledged
10 particular candidates TO be consistent
IN the desire OF their hears. but iirtle hy
little the standard OF Bryan was pressed
nearer and nearer TO the point OF van
tage- At first he gained slowly then a
great leap would be made as some dele
cation of formidable numbers would throw
ln It's lot with HIS cohorts Then. n the
ballot was reached and the result was
SIM uncertain. but AZ its end Bryan was
an but within the goal. delegates and
audience became excited when IN bacar,e
apparent that tho Nehraslan had gather
ed many recruits from the Bland forces
ana cheer after cheer went I'D from floor
and gallery. \ ruTnor went around the
VAST hail that Illinois. consistent as Mis-.
a"uil III adherence 10 the lifelong cham
pion on free coinage OF silver was waver.
ing. and when Governor Alfpold and his
associates withdrew Tor consultation the
excitement grew 10 fever heat. But the
s'-ry or how II al came about and If
now Bryan ar last was triunphant In
me race. Is told IN c-'ail I'm these dis
patches and ne-7 not be dwelt on here.
THE MOMENT or TRIUMPH.
Change followed change in the ballots
cast by various States. and all went TO
the man from the Platte. and when Hi
nois. Ohio and finally Missouri withdrew
their strength 10 his support. the race
had been won and William j. Bryan
stood forth in triumph as the leader Of
his party.
Exhausted by cheering the name Of the
Nebraskan. tho vast congregation I'm tho
Coliseum was slow 10 avail itself OF the
opportunity Of displaying the full extent
Of It's vicor. but II gradually rose 10 the
demands ~ the occasion, and turned
loose a volume Of sound that made the
iron roof tremble In unison. Every man
and woman I'm the hall was standing as the
Bryan supporters Of the floor grasped the
guidons Indicating the positions OF the
various States. and marched in triumph
through the aisles bounding the square
spaces reserved for delegates. and as the
guidon Of other States Joined the process
sion the cheering became mally Intense.
Bland banners. BOies banner. and em-
blems Of other candidates fell In line. ard
the eliminating point I'm the enthusiasm
was reached when the Bland band headed
By the numerous transparencies hearing
the Missourian's name took step with
the rest. and bent their eandeavors 20
"Dlxes' lively step. After ii was over
people fell back I'm their chairs weak
and exhausted. and listened quietly 10 the
formalities which concluded the session.
Tonight session was held FOR the pur-
pose Of electing the candidate for Vice
President. but without proceeding 10 "a
ballot an adjournment was forced until
tomorrow al 10 o'clock. when efforts will
be made 10 complete the business Of the
convention.