Birmingham state herald., 1896-10-29

Chicago, Oct. 28.-The second day of w J. Bryan's fight for Cook county began at 10 o'clock this morning to a crowd of people who have no vote. Women com posed his audience, and they cheered him with will in their own way The first meeting took place in the Polish district, and was exclusively for the female resi- dents of the neighborhood. Polish Dan ish Swedes, Germans and women of other nationalities composed the gather ing in St. Stanislaus', hall, at Bradley and Noble streets. MT. Bryan made them short speech about the relation of the female part of the household to the money question, and then went away to address noon day meeting at Battery D armory.
 Before the time set for the appearance of the nominee the building was packed with expectant, perspiring humanity, while great crowd outside clamored for admittance. The meeting was intended for business men, and ticket was neces- sary to obtain entrance.
 Immediately in front of the stage about 300 chairs had ben placed. These were occupied within few minutes after the first in-rush, and then people began to bank up behind the chairs, row after row, until there was no more space. The gal leries were filled early, and venturesome men and boys began to infringe on the iron frame work supporting the roof, resting there throughout the exercises with the greatest complacency. Some, even more daring, had crawled on the Eloping roof, and viewed the proceedings through the ventilating transoms.
 Gen. C. P. Howard, formerly republi- can, veteran of the late war, and a nf n Llatxrn nn6 IItaf- -nd States army, who is one of the generals" engaged in stumping the country for the republican ticket. presided al the meet ing J A. Pugh had been assigned to pre- sent General Howard, but his speech was nipped in the bud "I have the honor," he said. 'of introducing to you as your chairman, gentleman who has been in business in this city for the past twenty eight years
 He did not get any further A clean shayen young man, with a brown felt hat damned on his head, came on the stage from the wings and a great shout went up from the audience. The demo- cratic national nominee had been recog- nized instantly. He took off his overccat as the cheering went on and bowed slightly in acknowledgement of the warm greeting given as he sat down.
 General Howard made little speech before presenting the candidate. MT. Bryan asks one question:" he said. Are these all business men?
 "Yes," came in chorus from the audi ence, intermingled with shouts of and workingmen."
 q told him they were business men ac- cording to his definition," General How ard went on. The crowd understood the reference even before General Howard finished what the candidate said about farmers, laborers and miners being as much business men as those who sat in back offices and cornered the money of the world When General Howard aon cluded there was another uproar. Mr. Bryan jumped on a chair and tried to quell the noise by raising his hands. Quiet was finally restored and he began a speech that lasted an hour.
 BATTERY D SPEECH.
 He said:
 "Mr. Chairman, ladies and gentlemen: I am glad that this meeting is presided over by one who until this time has been a republican, and by one who was sol dier. CApplause). Because, in this double character of ex-republican and soldier, he illustrates the depths to which society is stirred in this campaign. As an ex-re- publican he stands az representative of that large and interesting number of our citizens who are willing to burst asunder party ties and to leave party associates and make their party affiliations suit the convictions of the heart. (Cheers). And as former soldier, he stands as repre- sentative of those who, having willingly OHefeu Ine1T services 10 I1dke the natlOn one, are willing today to engage in this great contest to keep this nation. which they helped to save, an independent na- tion. rather than province of a foreign empire. (Cheers).
 T am glad to talk to business men. GA voice: We are glad to hear you.') have said that those who so often assume to be the only business men sometimes make a great mistake in assuming that the prosperity of the nation rests upon them I am going today to talk to business men and to say to them that, in pleading the cause of the farmer and the laborer I am trying to lay substantial founda- tion upon which the business of this coun- try can be done (CheeTs.) If you who are engaged in merchandise, engaged in the exchange of wealth, suppose that the prosperity of the producers depends upon you, you deceive yourself Wealth must be created before 1t can be distributed. Those who create wealth could live, all though you went out of business. You cannot live if the producers of wealth go out Of business. (Cheers.j l believe that that policy Is best for this country which begins with those who toll, and gives them first the inspiration to work and then protects them in the enjoyment of a rightful share of the proceeds of their teii, ana proceeds from them pp to the other classes of society which rests upon them. (Cheers)
 ''I say to you that the republican plat form adopted this year is fraud I say that n was intended as fraud (Cheers.) say that the men who wrote if did so tc, deceive the people and to secure an af- vantage by deception that they could not obtain openly. (Cheers.)
 If you ask me for my proof. let me