The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1896-07-24
WHAT A FARCE.
Populisis Singing songs and Quoting :
Phrases to Kecp Courage Up.

ST. LOUIS, July 2a.-The Popullsts
began assembling In convention shortly
after Q O'Clock. The air In the hall WAS
exceedingly oppressive. The delegates
with their coats slung over their arms.
stood about In the sultry atmosphere
dacusslng the situation. the advlsability
OF endorsing Bryan. the planks OF the
platform. and kindred topics.
At 1906. Senator Butler, the handsome
temporary chairman, appeared on the
platform. simultaneously, the band
struck up Dixie" ana the delegates un-
corked Rnme OF their pent-up enthusi-
nsm. Five minutes later, Chairman
Butler called the convention to order,
and the Rev. Mr.. Smith offered the !nvo-
cation fpr blessings upon the common
country.
There was ripple OF applause. and n
few shouts when the name Of Jacob c.
Coxey was announced as member OF
the committee on platform from Ohio.
There We're also demonstrations for
Governor H0lcomb. OF Nebraska; Gen
eral Weaver, OF Iowa, and Ex-Governor
LleWclling. OF Kansas, when their
names were shouted out.
Conspicuous on the floor was a lady
who sat with the Kentucky delegation.
She WAS dressed In virgin white, and
above her dark tresseS tloated several
long white piumea. She proved to be
the newly welded bride OF delegate Tay-
lor, editor OF the Paducah (ky) Herald.
The announcements were completed at
ll:l5, Delegate Dixon, OF Oklnhomu,
then mounted the stage and after nd-
Jnring the delegates 10 be quiet and not
interrupt, introduced Clarence L. Com
ley, OF Oklahoma, who regnled the con-
ventIon with ZONE campaign songs.
He was small In stature. but he had a
good baritone voice, and the words of
his songs tiCkled the delegates immense
ly, and they hpplGuded 'nt every oppor-
iunlty. despite hIa d4precat!rg gestures,
An Alabama delegate then introduced
"Mlstress Pennington" the sweet cam
paign singer OF ArkunsaS, She sang IN
a pleasant soprano parody on Yankee
Doodle Dandy" each verse OF which
concluded:
Yankee Doodle. Got Your Gun!
Shoot the Gold Bugs. Every One;
Yankee Doodle Dandy"
Delegate Crawford. of Kansas, moved
that the delegates OF the silver cnnven-
tinn DO admitted on exhibition OF their
badges. There wera many cries OF mo,
no." from the Middle OF the Road" men,
who evidently thought they saw In this
Il move TO pack the galleries with Bryan
shoutcrS.
After some wranglng, Chairman But
lcramId ShOuts OF delight from the
stra!ght-ouis, ruled the motion out of
order.
Mr.. Washhnrne, of Massachusetts,.
from the stage, announced that he had
an important resolution 10 Offer 1t
proved to be one deprecatng the talk OF
Il split In the convention. 1t was intend
cd to bind the convention,
a storm Of protests cnmo from the
Middle OF tho Readers. and one OF them
made the point of order that before the
convention waa permanently organized
no such resolution could be acted upon.
Chairman Butler ruled that during tho
temporary organization, Il resolution
could be passed expressing its srnGc,
Delegate Branch OF Georgia., followed
with u motion to table thu subject. There
was n great deal Of confusion as the vote
was being taken. viva v0co, Chairman
Butler deciding that the motion was car
ricd. This disturbing question out of
the way, dolegate Willis OF North Dakn-
Ia, moved to take recess, but the crowd
desired more music and HpccchCs, and
promptly voted the motion down,
At l2H@. another motion to take rc-
oess until , o'clock was made, und 1t
cnrrlp1 .....