The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1896-07-09
VERBATIM REPORT.
Proceedings in Detail of the First Day
of the Convention.

iloeeeuihSs Ill detail or the tllSt Day
of the Convention.
Chicago, July THE seats of the del
egates and alternates We're filled. but
there was wide range of vacant chairs
on the outer edge of the galleries when,
at l2:49 p. m, Chairman Harrity of the
national committee, raised his gavel, and
as it dropped on the desk with a sharp
crack requested the Sixteenth National
Democratic convention 10 come to Or
der, He said:
The sergeant-at-arms will see that the
alsles are cleared and that every one
shall take his or her seat. The aislcs
must be cleared. The gentlemen will
kindly take their seats as promptly as
possible"
In the course of a minute or so the
alsles were cleared, and Chairman Har-
rity declared the convention ready for
the business before it.
Continuing, he said: "The proceed
ings of, the convention will be opened
with prayer which will be offered by the
Rev. Ernest NJ. Stires rector of Grace
Episcopal church of Chicago.
The Rev. DR.. Stires addressed the
Throne of Grace as follows:
Almighty God, the hearts of Thy
people are lifted in gratitude to Thee for
the manifold blessings Thou hast vouch-
safed to our country from the dawn of
it's Independence unto this day. We
thank Thee for the wisdom and courage
which enabled our fathers to build bet
ter than they knew; for deliverance
from all dangers within and without our
borders, and for our unparalleled pro-
gress in times of prosperity and peace.
o, 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 and knowl-
edge to do with all the perpleXing ques-
tons of the hour; help us to consider the
vital questions which must be answered
with thoroughness, patience and toler-
ance. Give us strength and courage to
do what an enlightened conscience shall
declare to be our duty. Inspire us with
Il patriotism above eXpediency. Remind
us that honesty is not only the best but
the only policy worthy the consideration
of great people. May the hearts of
all be filled with profound respect and
sympathy for our toiling multitudes OPP
pressed 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 right of any. While we plead for our
selves we are mindful of the sorrows of
when no cloud hangs above those who
sigh for liberty. May we ever feel the
deepest sympathy for the distressed in
the great brotherhood of mankind, and
yet be able 70 maintain an honorable
peace with all.
Upon the great convention now as
sembled in Thy presence send Thy gra-
cious blessing. May its members be in
spired with the most exalted patriotism,
seeking no private or sectional advan-
tage, but only the national good, so that
our united and prosperous land may con-
tinue to be in all that is truest and
best an inspiration to the nations of the
earth. And to Thee, our God, shall we
ascribe all the honor and glory, forever
and ever. Amen"
Mr.. NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. of the con-
vention, by direction of the national
Democratic committee | desire to re-
port the following as the temporary or
ganization for the conventions: For tenn
porary chairman, the Hon. David b.
Hill of New York.
The mention of Senator Hills name
was received with tremendous applause,
the members of the New York delegation
standing on chairs and waving flags.
Some one called for three cheers for
David B. Hill, which were given, and
then the band played Dixie"
When the excitement abated, Mr.. Har-
rity resumed his announcement as fol-
lows: For temporary secretary. Hon.
Simon 2. Sheerin of Indiana; for ser
ant-at-arms. Col. John /. Martin of
Missouri assistant secretaries, reading
clerks and tellers, have been reported to
the secretary and their names will be
read if desired. Cries of no, MOI
What is the pleasure of the conven-
ton upon the report as made from the
national Democratic convention!
Mr.. Clayton of abama-Gentlemen
of the convention, in behalf of twenty
three members of your national commit
tee, as opposed TO twenty-seven, and as
believe, in accordance with the wish
of a great majority of this convention
1oud applause), / am authorized to
present minority recommendation
which | shall now offer as a substitute
for a part of the motion by the chair
man of our national committee:
'To the National Democratic Conven-
tioR-The undersigned members of the
national committee, respectfully recon-
mend that the name of John w. Daniel
of Virginia be substituted in the com
mittee report for that of Hon. David b.
Hill of New York. and that the Hon.
John w. Daniel be chosen temporary
chairman of this convention"
1t was signed by Henry D.. Clayton,
Alabama; Thomas McRae. Arkansas;
NJ. f. Tarpey, California;; c. S. Thomas,
Colorado: Samuel Pasco. Florida; Clark
Howell, Georgia; S. C. Hillow. Idaho; c.
W. Blair. Kansas; Arthur SewelI,
Maine; d. j. Campbell, Michigan; A. j.
Davidson, Montana; K. j. Heating,