Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-07-08
BLOW TO GOLD.
Daniels, Free Si|verite, Chosen
Chairman Of Convention.
Election Of Presiding Officer Only
Business Done, Tuesday.
Convention Adjourned Until Today When
Nominating Speeches Will Be Made.

| open a little after II o'clock this morn
| ing and crowds of sectators struggled
/ to get in. Several thousand people
| were in line in front of the coliseum
| and there was much confusion. The
| spectators seats are unnumbered and
the first arrivals took the front rows
At 11.30 the seats were fast filling up.
and at 11.50 the Boies men marched in
with flying banners and were family
applauded.
Only few delegates were in their
places at 11.45 but band inside and a
half dozen outside enlivened the crowd
and helped to pass away the dreary
| waiting period.
AS the hour of noon drew near, the
| sections assigned to the delegates Were
| gradually occupied. Occasionally a
| large delegation entered the hall with
banners and flags, and accompanied by
| bands of music. One delegation was
| attended by u splendid band which
| played in succession the Red, White
and Blue" and other patriotic airs.
| When the first strains Of Dixie
| were heard, the whole audience stood
up and cheered enthusiastically and at
that moment as if by pre-arrangement,
| Senator Daniel of Virginia appeared and
| took seat on the platform
| W. c. Whitney appeared as a proxy.
| quite Unexpectedly. and took his seat
| among the New York delegates with
| out any demonstrate ton. So did en-
| Postmaster General Bissell Ex-Gov.
William 7. Russell of Massachusetts.
| also took his seat as a proxy among the
delegates from his state.
Probably 1000 people were in the hall
| at noon and half the delegates had
taken their seats. A number of ladies
occupied seats to the right and left
| of the platform back of the press seats.
A great cheer went up when Senator
David b. Hill of New York entered at
1924. Ex-Governor Flower and ex-
Lieut.. Governor Sheehan came in with
Hill and took their seats in the New
York section. Senator Blackburn of
Kentucky came in soon afterwards and
was also honored with cheers.
At Z. NJ, the convention was called
to order by Mr. Harrity OF Pennsyl-
vania, chairman of the Democratic ma
tional committee, who asked that all
present should rise and stand while
prayer was offered by Rev. Ernest
Stires, rectorof Grace Episcopal church.
Chicago, as follows:
Almighty God: The hearts of Thy
people are lifted in gratitude to Thee
for the manifold blessings Thou hast
Youchsafed to our country from the
dawn OF its independence unto this day
We thank Thee for the wisdom and
courage which enabled our fathers to
build better than they knew: for de-
liverence from all dangers within and
without our borders: and for our I'M
paralleled progress in times of prosper-
ty and peace.
God Of our fathers, continue to
guide and sustain thy children. In our
doubts and fears and distress we cry
unto Thee for help. Grant us wisdom
to know among all the perplexing prob
lens OF this time, where lies the path
OF honor and safety. Help us to con-
slider the vital questions which must
be answered, with thoroughness,
patience and tolerance Give us
strength and courage to do what an
enlightened conscience shall declare
to be her duty. Inspire us with
patriotism above cxpediency Remind
US that honesty is not only the best
but the only, policy worthy of the pco-
pie May the hearts of all be filled
with profound respect and sympathy
for our toiling multitudes oppressed
with burdens too heavy for them to
bear, heavier than we should allow
them to bear. Teach us how to give
them relief without doing violence to
the rights of any.
While we plead for ourselves, we
q tr,.lf e., Il
May the day soon come when no power
snail be permitted to innict upon a
brave people indcfensible slaughter
and unspeakable shame: when no
clouds of despotism shall overhang
those who sigh for liberty May we
ever feel the deepest sympathy for the
distressed in the great brotherhood of
mankind and yet may be able to main
tain an honorable peace with all.
Upon the great convention now as
sembled in thy presence send thy
gracious blessing. May its members
be inspired with the most exalted pa
triotism, seeking no private or sec |
tlonal advantages. but only the ma
uonal good; that our united and pros |
porous land may continue to be, in all |
that is truest and best, an inspiration
10 the nations of the earth And to |
Thee, our God, shall we ascribe all the |
honor and glory forever and ever
Amen.
Then Chairman Harrity, in slow and |
deliberate tones said: Gentlemen of |
the convention: BY direction of the
Democratic national committee | de-
sire to report the following as the tenn
porary organization of the convention:
Temporary chairman, David B. Hill of
New York" Then there was an out
break of applause which lasted for two
minutes. A delegate from Minnesota
got up to make motion, and the
chairman. intending to ring for order,
rang the bell for the band to play, re-
marking as the band started up, amid
laughter: Il rang the wrong bell"
The vest of the organization was
read as follows: For temporary sec
retay Simon B. Sheerin of Indiana;
for sergeant at arms, Colonel John I.
Martin of Missouri.
What is the pleasure of the con-
vention," Mr.. Harrity asked, ION the