Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1896-09-03
Their Convention Being Held in
the City of indianapolis
Yesterday.
Mr.. Villas FOR PRESIDENT
An Effort to Get Gen. Bragg TO With
draw In The Senator's Favor.
PROMINENT PEOPLE PRESENT
Delegations Composed OF Rep
resentative Men.

Associated Press Dispatch by Special Wires
indianapolis, Ind, Sept 2.-That
Old Soils golden rays were hidden by
masses Of silver clouds during the early
morning did not seem to furnish
cause for depression among the Gold
Democrats lsembled here to-day. Per-
hsps the rejected rays from the golden
stars in the many American flags about
the hotel Hobbies furnished sufficient of
the needed yellow light to tone the early
morning gray. At any rate the few
hours OF the morning preceding the as
eembling OF the Gold Democratic con.
vention were marked by scenes that
placed it more upon the plane OF other
great national conventions than 1t has
seemed to hold during the last Jew
days.
The hotel corridors early presented
: an animated appearance and, contrary
to expectations, there were many ami
mated discussions, not pertaining to
the selection of candidates or the adop-
tion of platform but arguments with
Silver Democrats who choose to either
ask or volunteer Information. John
Dewitt Warner of New York and ex-
Congressman Charles d. Haines of
Undertook were foremost among the
gold champions and vigorously pro-
claimed their faith. Haines, who is
said to be a lieutenant and very close
TO Senators Hill and Murphy of New
York, not only made arguments in the
hotel corridors, but went out into the
street and obtained respectful hearing
from about 400 people. Other orators
started discussions in various parts OF
the hotel corridors and all were sur
rounded by eager and curious groups
of wisdom seekers.
THE CONVENTION HALL.
Tomlinson Hall, in which the Ma
tional Democratic Convention Is being
held, is situated at Market and Della
ware streets, in the center of the city,
within easy reach Of all the hotels. II
is capable OF seating comfortable about
1900 people and is admirably adapted
for the purposes of large public meet
ing. The Commercial Club Of Indian
apolis and the Board of Trade of this
CITY have placed it at the disposal of
the National Committee. The interior
and exterior of the building are hand
somely decorated with bunting in the
national colors, interspersed with the
stars and stripes and other patriotic
and appropriate devices. The rear of
the stage is curtained off with red.
white and blue and ornamonted with
life-sized. portraits of Jefferson, Jack
son and Joseph Mcdonald on the one
side and Cleveland, Tilden and Hen
bricks on the other. In the centre,
'overithe head of the chairman, is large
eagle with shield and flags. To the
right and left OF the stage bunting ia
arranged to represent sunburst, with
ID, -kuts Ii - ..ats .al
banners. Fan -shaped curtains of the
same material extend from the right to
the left of the stage overhead. The
front of the stage is handsomely orna-
mented with palms, ferns and smllax.
A conspicuous feature of the decora-
tions is the gliding of the picture
frames and the shields and slaves
which ornament the hall. An immense
vase containing golden rod sets at the
right hand of the presiding officer.
Gold is everywhere, on all the orna.
ments on which il can be appropriately
placed. On the walls of the upper and
lower galleries are golden wreaths
within which are the names of the
States of the Union, ornamented with
shield and flags, making very hand
some appearance. The ceiling is
trimmed with red, white and Dlue
bunting in canopy shape.
The accommodations for the press
are ample aud are better arranged than
at any OF the three preceding conven-
tions. The telegraph companies have
carried large number OF wires into
the building and furnished operators
sufficient to handle all the matter
which may be furnished for the news
papers of the country and also for pri-
waite messages and such bulletins as
are necessary from time to time to keep
the people posted of the progress OF the
convention. Taken all in all the dec
orations, facilities and arrangements
are more complete than have hereto
fore been provided.
HIGH GLASS OF MEN.
Undoubtedly this is due to the fact,
perfectly apparent this morning, thai
the delegates, as body. are higher
class of men than generally forms the
file of national convention. In every
delegation this was apparent Bankers
merchants, reformers in American poll
tics, some men who have never before
taken part in national convention
lawyers, railroad men and few, ii any
professional politicians, form the grea
mass of delegates. They are men wh'
lean towards calm discussion and wit
deem themselves worthy patriots en-
gagged in their country's salvation
Near the hour of assembling all blu
about four States were found to be rep
resented with full delegations.
While the trend of opinion respecting
candidates was towards Bragg AM
Buckner during the early mornin
there were still many vigorous boom
for others and ii was curious an
rather humorous to zee the way j
which the records were pulled to piece
to find IL there were any silver flaws ]
gold candidates.
- EFFORT TO RETIRE BRAGG.
An effort is being made to force Gen
Bragg out Of the Presidential race !
favor of Senator Villas. Many dele
gates, believing Senator Villas is tn
strongest candidate, have rendered hir
their support. Other delegates hay
withheld expressing opinions unit
some definite arrangement can be mad
or determination reached as
whether or not Bragg will retire !
favor of Villas. The Senator has sal
that he cannot be candidate, as Ger
Bragg Is a candidate from his ow
State. The delegates who are in "a
movement to secure Bragg's VIII
drawal In favor of Villas will no dout