Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1896-07-11
BRYAN AND SEWALL.

Ne~eN, w AAiAeAA- - - SSAf ~
was selected yesterday at the Chicago
convention as the standard-bear of
the democratic party in the campaign
for the Presidency of the United States.
On Thursday when the young Nebras.
kan mounted the rostrum in the con-
vention hall to close the debate on the
party platform he was considered the
merest possibility in the race for the
honor to be conferred. Half an hour
later, when he concluded his great
rhetorical effort, he had become a
| seeming probability. With the hours of
the night his chances grew, and when
the convention resumed business yes.
terday morning he had been establish
ed as BANDS most formidable COM
petitor. His striking presence, his
earnest bearing, his wonderful melo-
diousness of voice, as exhibited in his
speech, had not faded from the minds
of delegates and spectators, and every
| mention of his name brought forth
hearty cheers that told the story of the
| firm hold he had upon those who could
! make or unmake him in his president
7 ial aspirations, and upon the thousands
who were onlookers and not active
participants. AS the ballot progressed
his popularity among the delegations
became more and more apparent, and
his strength in vote went by leaps and
bounds, until the elimination came in
the capture of Illinois and Ohio, and
the withdrawal of Bland, with the con-
seouent transfer of Missouri to the
Bryan column. At first he gained
slowly, then a great leap would be
made as some delegation Of formidable
numbers would throw in its lot with
his cohorts. The fifth ballot was reach
ed and the result was still uncertain,
but at its end Bryan was all but within
the goal. Delegates and audience be-.
came excited when it became ap.
parent that the Nebraskan had
gathered many recruits from the
Bland forces, and cheer after cheer
went up from floor and gal
lery. Change followed change in the
ballots cast by various States and all
went to the man from The Platte, and
when Illinois, Ohio and finally Mis-
souri, withdrew their strength to his
support, the race had been won and
William j. Bryan stood forth in
triumph as the leader of his party.
The result of the fourth ballot had
only been partially announced when it
was interrupted by an intensely dra-
matte scene. When Bryan's big gain
from 219 to $50, heading Bland and all
the other candidates was announced,
BRYAN banners were raised on the
standards of several States, and big
shouting was INDUCED in, with view
of stampeding the convention to his
support.
Nevada, Mclean State, Kansas, a
Bland State, and Idaho and other
States that had previously voted for
other candidates led the movement.
They were quickly followed in the Or
der named by New Mexico, California,
Nevada, District of Columbia, Idaho,
Minnesota, Washington, Virginia and
Indian Territory, who all raised their
standards and joined in the general
shout for Bryan. Then q procession
was started, the standards of twenty
two States and Territories being borne
round the hall amid perfect tornado
of cheering.
Then Illinois joined in and Florida
followed. Ohio came in and brief
spell of silence followed as the rumor
passed around that deal was on with
Mclean for second place.
Ar. ereaa, r,;o,,toc &c chic b;nna
drome performance the announcement
of the result was continued and the
fourth ballot was officially announced
as follows:
Fourth ballot-Bland 241, Boies 3S,
Matthews sc, Mclean 46, Bryan $50,
Blackburn 81, Pattison So, Stevenson s,
Hill l. Absent or not voting, 1872.
Total, $50. Total number of votes cast
on fourth ballot, 76S. Necessary to a
choice, 512.
Immediately following the final an
nouncement of the result of the fourth
ballot, the chairman said that the pro-
ceediDgs had reached the stage where
it was necessary for the chair to state
his construction of the two-thirds rule.
A careful examination of the records
of democratic conventions left but one
decision open to the chair. The two
thirds rule had been acted on, without
objection, ever since its adoption in the
Ohio convention of 1852. The rule
read that "two-thirds of the whole
number of votes given shall be neces-
sary 10 nomination for President and
Vice President" Therefore, in the
opinion.of the chair, two-thirds of the
vote given would nominate the candi-
dates for President and Vice President
of the United States. (Cheers.) "Call
the roll" he ordered, and the fifth bal
lot was begun.
The fifth roll-call was begun, and it
soon became evident that Bryan would
secure votes sufficient to nominate him
by the necessary majority. When Ken
lucky was reached, Mr.. Rhea, who had
nut Senator Blackburn in nomination,
rose and said:
"While Kentucky loves her great
democrat, Joe Blackburn, and would
be clad to see him elected President of
the United States, yet as he served in
the Confederate army they do not
seem to want him. GIANT Kisses
Therefore, Kentucky takes great pleas
ure in casting her twenty-six votes for
the worlds greatest orator, w. j..
Bryan" (Cheers.)