The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-07-26
CLOSING SESSION.
Features of the Speech Making-Two
or Three Demonstrations.


or Three Demonstrations.
ST. LOUIS. July 25.--There was inextri-
cable confusion on the floor of the audi
torium this morning before the convention
met. The delegates stood about in animat-
ed groups discussing the situation and
what 1t was best to do. The Bryan feeling
was very strong, but the telegram from
the Nebraskan declaring that he would not
accept the nomination rendered the situa-
ton chaotic. Many desired to nominate
Bryan in the face of this telegram Tom
Patterson, of Colorado, and Ex-Governor
Lewelling. of Kansas, however, said this
would not do. They counseled an indorse-
ment of Bryan instead of a nomination.
pointing out that an Endorsement which
did not require an acceptance 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 and not the
Populists.
Senator Allen called the convention to
order at 9:37 After the invocation a Gen.
necticut delegate arose to protest against
the further display of lung power that had
characterized the first three days of the
convention. He thought ii was about time
sense. His statement was given a round
OF applause. Chairman Allen announced
that the first thing In order was the selec-
tion OF members of the national committee
and the committees to notify candidates
for President and Vice President.
The hall presented a dilapidated appear
ance. The paper and dirt that Uttered the
floor when the convention adjourned short
ly before l o'clock this morning had not
been removed. the State guidons had not
been Strengthened and pointed like a bunch
telescopes tlOnS
the heavens. The middle-of-the-road ban
ner triumphantly reared itself from the
heart of the Lone Star State 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
100 people in the gallery One belated
straggler who had probably remained in
the hall all night continued his slumbers.
peacefully stretched cut on the floor in
remote portion of the hall. The band was
not present and there was no music. Ser
geant-at-arms Mcdowell, in explanation of
the absence of this soothing influence said
the contract with the Business Mems
League of St. Louis expired last night
and the musicians had been instructed by
the League not to put in an appearance to-
weary delegates. We're glad OF it," Some
of the delegates stretched their limbs and
yawned. A little music the newspaper
men thought might have enlivened things
perceptibly.
Ignatius Donnelly got on a chair and an
not appear in the printed platform He
wanted the convention 10 understand that
Ii had been adopted. Several resolutions
were presented and referred without read
ing or debate.
The man with the fog-horn voice. who
stood on a chair at the side of Senator
Allen repeating the latters words to the
convention, created some amusement by
announcing that one of the delegates had
| lost his return ticket, and unless 1t was
| found and returned the delegate might
| have difficulty in getting home
NOMINATIONS CALLED FOR.
The chairman then called for nomina-
tions for President, and Judge Greene, of
! Nebraska, took the stand to place Mr.
| Bryan in nomination. He said the conven-
| tion was here to maine the next President
| of the Republic. The convention had al
| ready, he said, selected the Vice President.
| that noble son of the South Thomas T..
| Watson" (Cheers.) He had not named his
| candidate, however, before a Texas dele
| gate interrupted with the point of order
| that the States must be called in alpha
betical order for nominations Judge Green
was driven off the stage by the Texan 5
point OF order. but the convention resented
| it, and on motion OF an Arkansas delegate.
| the rules were suspended and Judge Green
was recalled to the stage. He did not place
| MIR. Bryan in nomination, however.
| When Alabama was called, Governor
| Kolb yelled 70 General Weaver. of Iowa,
| but Colonel Gather. of Alabama. got TO
the platform first and injected a speech
| about joining the cotton fields of the South
| with the wheat fields of the West.
AT the conclusion of his remarks. Cen
eral Weaver came forward and formally
| placed Mr.. Bryan in nomination. He said
| In part:
"Gentlemen, ! do not want any cheering.
Ycu have all read the papers this morning:
you have ali read the manly dispatch from
| the Democratic nominee for the presidency
the Hon. William j. Bryan. applause.
No man could have done less nd be a man.
/ His manly attitude concerning the action
/ of this convention we must all respect and
| every person who reads the proceedings OF
| this convention must do the same. But, my
1 fellow-citizens. this question has reached q
| point where neither Mr.. Bryan nor his per-
sollal friends have any right whatever Ia
! say in regard to what the action OF this