The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1896-07-23

upheld the demand for the perpetuation OF
tho Populist organization, which he de-
scribed as having driven the Republicans
to gold and the Democrats to silver. To
be swallowed up by the Democrats he
said, was danger only equalled by
that Of being made the Indirect allies
OF the Republicans in the present cam
paign. He gave both factions chance to
rend the air with their shouts, but when
In conclusion he suggested middle
course, the purport of which all under
stood, both sides were irresponsible. Tho
Bryan men, on the whole, however, con-
sidered that the victory, so far as there
was one, lay with them.
There were no demonstrations at the
day session. The delegates save those
from Texas, were unusually quiet, al
though, after they had been once aroused
by the display of Lincoln's picture, they
applaudod with enthusiasm everything
which suited their fancies.
Although the convention adjourned at
sao to meet at 8 p. m, there was no night
session owing to an accident which de-
stroyed the electric light connections. A
severe storm had passed over the city
about o'clock, and the wires were
blown down. Despite this fact the dele
gates assembled in the hall, and waited
for over an hour in total darkness for the
lights to be turned on.
About dozen candles were brought in
Tor the use of the newspaper men. One
was placed on the chairman's table and
another stuck in the top of a guidon in the
middle of the hall. The effect was weirdly
picturesque. CHASTITY faces fluttered in
and out of the ring of feeble light which
the taliow dips cast. The band played and
the crowds sang. Speeches were made in
the dark, and the delegates appeared ready
to stay all night If there was any prospect
OF light later on There was naturally
considerable apprehension that panic
might seize tho crowd and dire calamity
result in the rush for the entrances
The middle of the road people became
possessed of the idea that the Bryan men
had put up job on them, and that the
hall was not lighted because they feared
that the straightouts would run away
with the convention. They denounced it
all as trick, and vowed vengeance long
and deep. The incident recalled similar
one ut the Cincinnati Republican conyen-
'4 Va Ie'o, WHoh oho hShUs Wero sHub Oh
at critical stage, just as Blaine's nomi-
nation seemed assured
Ats45 Chairman Butler declared tho
convention adjourned until this morning.
Within Il half hour after the last delegate
had left the hall all the electric lights were
turned on, much to the establishment of
tho few newspaper men and policemen
who fingered in the building. Quito
number of delegates had stopped on neigh
boring street corners to discuss the all ab-
sorbing questions, and it was suggested
that they return, but they did not, as it
was pointed out that the doors were
guarded and admission would be denied,
Besides, the officers having gone, nothing
that might be done would receive their
and would therefore be ineffec-
tual.
The middle of the road" men held an
informal meeting after they left the con- !
rention hall last night, and there were
many expressions of suspicion regarding |
the failure to have it lighted. They
pointed out that they had arranged for an
adjourned meeting an hour and half
previous to the time set for the convention
% reconvene, and that they would not
lave interfered with the convention, as
he business they had to transact could
lave been disposed of very easily.
One explanation made by the middle
If the road" men indicating that BRYAN
men did not want q meeting last night
vas that demonstration against Bryan
uch as might have appeared when the ex-
cutive committee reported in favor Of the
of Donnelly for permanent
hartman would be disastrous to the
'ryan interests. Members of the contin-
ent asserted that the Bryan men wanted
clay in order to secure men from tho
nti-Bryan ranks The fact that the hall
yas lighted within twenty-five minutes
fter Chairman Butler adjourned the con-
ention and after every delegate had left
he building has created great deal of
lspicion in the minds of the middle of
ne road" men that they were not getting
fair deal"
The situation this morning psints more
rongly to Bryan's Endorsement or nomi-
alton. In fact, the Bryan managers de-
are that they are absolutely certain that
, far as the head of the ticket is con.
,rned, they are out of the woods. But
it'll regard to Sewal they admit nri.
lptly tIlill bntTO Is kTuNG uOuDt, and th1k |
lere is now probably majority of the
invention against the Bath shin builder.
hey are using all their energies TO nre.
mt the complications that would follow
, Endorsement of Bryan and the nomina.
On of Populist for vice president,
The middle of the road" men cannot
en- get together OH a candidate for presi
mt. Debs is their favorite, but the BRYAN
anagers say they have word that he will
cline the further use of his name. If
opulist is not named for vice president
ere is sure to be bolt of some of the
uthcrn delegations. But the Bryan
anagers it is said. would welcome such
,icago ticket, They claim tbot tbon Iii
doubtedly control the committee IN
organization and resolutions,
d it is their purpose If they control to
me platform along the lines of the