The Dickinson press., 1896-08-01

reprinnndcd the delegates, who, lie
said, had llowled down some of the
most distinguished men in the party,
and ordered the roll call to proceed.
Arkansas started off with twenty-five
thirty votes to Watson. Kansas gave
votes. Louisiana gave the bulk of her
vote to Watson. Maryland divided her
vote between Sewall and Watson. 1t
looked as il Watson might be nonl-
mated OH the first ballot until North
Carolina cast her ninety-five votes for
Skinner, Tennessee for Mimms and
Texas for surkitt. This split up the
large delegations. Later when the roll
call was completed, however, Texas
changed her vote to Watson and there
We're other changes in favor of the
Georgian. Then Col. Burkitt of Mis-
siSsippi went to the stand and with
drew his name.
Then Minnns withdrew in WatsOn's
favor. The Georgian already had
votes enough to nominate, but the vote
of Tennessee was finally transferred to
his column. Some one made u motion
to make the nomination unanimous,
and it was carried with Il whoop. The
convention then adjourned until .
o'clock in the morning.
st. Louis. July 2i.-Thcre was incxtrlcable
confusion OH the floor Of the Auditorium
before the convention met The delegates
stood about in animated 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
situation chaotic. "Cyclone" Davis and
other radicals insisted that Bryan could not
refuse, and, II he did, the responsibility for
disaster at the polls would rest on the De-
mocracy, not the Populists.
Senator Allen called the convention to Or
der Mt 0:3J.
Ignatius Donnclly got on chair and an.
nounced that his private land plank did not
appear In the printed platform. He wanted
the convention to understand that it had
been adopted.
The chairman called for nominations for
president and Cen Weaver .of Iowa pre-
sented MIR. Bryan's name in II laudatOry
speech AS he concluded by naming that
"splcndld young statesman, William J.
Bryan" the convention broke loose. Cheer
followed cheer. the delegates jumped to
their chairs and flags, handkcrchicfs, coats.
hats, state guidons were waived in wild
confusion.
Judge plowman of South Dakota also Sec
onded Bryan. Cyclone" Davis OF Texas
made strong plea for a middle of the-road
course, but re said that the element he
represented would only ask that in case
Bryan should refuse to accept the nolnl-
nation, the man who should receive the
next highest number of votes be accepted
as the standard bearer. He said the Pop
ullsts in the Northwest did not understand
the situation in the South or how intolcrant
of compromise the Southern Democrats are
He instanccl their refusal to accept Sem
ator Teller as their nominee at Chicago,
Of whom he spoke as a man around whose
name there would be a halo Of honor and
whose record was one of grandeur. Mr..
Davis closed by scconding the nomination
OF MIR. Norton.
Rumors Of Gov. Stones presence with q
Telegram flew about the hall and Chairman
Aliens statement did not entirely nllay the
apprehension. Stump Ashby of Texas got
In chair and demanded to know II there
was Il telegram on the secretary's table from
Mr.. Bryan.
',rhere is not" replied Chairman Allen
firmly, "and has NOT been"
This did not seem to satisfy Ashby, but
he got down from his chair Chairman Al
len announced the official vote as: Bryan
1912, Norton 321, DOnneliy ].
1t was then 4:22 Bedlam was. of course
looscncd. and pandcmonium rcigncd for
fifteen or twenty minutes. The Texas, Ar
kansas and Maine middle of thc-road men
with their guidons together took no part in
the demonstration. The middle Of the road
men finally massed abnut their standard on
the left of the hall, auout 800 in number
and made 4 counter demonstration. They
cheered and yelled and nushed and fought
for ten minutes. The sergtCnts-at-arms were
powcrless to restore order and after rap
ping for five minutes, Cha;xman Allen de-
clarcd Mr.. Bryan the nominee of the con.
vention. Some one made q wation to ad.
journ. The chairman put the motion and
declared the convention adjourned sine
die. AS he did so Stump Ashby shouted
"Texas cast 103 votes for Norton, first, last
and alI the time"