Birmingham state herald. (Birmingham, Ala.) 1895-1897, 1896-04-22
DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION
In the Hands of Free Silver Del
egates.
CALLED TO ORDER AT NOON
Capt. James Crook of Calhoun Made Tempo
rary Chairman
}. H. BANKHfAD PERMANENT CHAIRMAN
Resolutions Commencing the Financial
Policy of the Administration Fell Flat.
The Platform Committee Will
Report Today.
CALLED TO ORDER AT NOON
]. H. BANKHEAD PERMANENT CHAIRMAN

Montgomery, April 21.-(Special)-Th
entirely inadequate hall of the house of
representatives of Alabamas pitifully
wretched structure, which deplorable
public indifference has permitted to sur
vive the wreck and ruin of war as state
capitol, was packed with people as soon
as the doors were opened, half an hour
before the convention was called to or
der The gavel. in the hands of Secre-
tary Thomas H. Clark of the executive
committee, sounded the first signal for
action at 1920 murmur of surprise at
the step had hardly time to manifest it
self before the convention had adjourned
until 3 o'clock to await the report of the
executive committee, before whom it
was well understood that contests from
Lee and Pike counties were pending. At
the hour for reassembling, although the
heat was extraordinary for April, the
crowd was even greater than at the
morning session.
At 3:15 Chairman Knox raped for Or
der and addressed the convention. He
said he did not suppose the oldest inhabi-
tant remembered having witnessed a
more heated contest than had just ended
1t was unfortunately true that democrats
were divided on one of the great ques-
tions which would be submitted in the
was to be regretted, still the fact existed
In the Judgment of the speaker, the
party should be led back to where II
would be governed by spirit of con-
seryatism instead of intolerance. Chair
man Knox emphasized the Importance of
harmony. He was warmly applauded
when he used the word intolerance. but
as he reached enunciation of the term
conservatism the demonstration percep-
tiby weakened and when in reminding
II. Il
had triumphed In this contest had come
to former conventions in the minority,
and yet never sulking, had gone into the
fight for the nominee under the leader
ship of Joseph F. Johnston, the sound of
that name was the occasion of the first
Outburst of enthusiasm by the conven.
tion. 1t came with a wave and roar of
cheers and shouts that were renewed
again and again.
Chairman Knox introduced Capt.
James Crook of Calhoun as temporary
chairman of the convention. He ex-
pressed himself as not msensible to the
fiattering compliment, and invoked the
aid. sympathy and indulgence of the
convention; but his embarrassment was
disspated and he was emboldened to
undertake the task when he looked into
the cheerful faces before him and real
lied that he was in the house Of Alabama
democracy. Going immedia tely into the
meat of the situation, the speaker said:
'erhe gravity of the situation calls into
requisition the exercise of wisdom and
of that courage which scOrns compro-
mise of honest principle
This expression aroused the greatest
enthusiasm. The silver delegates made
the wellSin ring, because they had been
fmportuned for compromise by the So
licitous and prayerful sound money dele
gates ever since they began to gather
here. The speech of Captain Crook was
admirably delivered and full of unmistak-
able recognition of the cause that had
triumphed in the primaries. The John
ston and silver men were delighted, and
showed enthusiastic appreciation, while
the Clarke men smiled when the storm of
{, cheers showed contrastingly with the
: faint demonstrations that had rewarded
Mr. Knox's hints Of compromise.
Immediately upon the announcement
by the temporary chairman that the con-
vention was ready for business, on mo-
tion of H. d. Clayton of Barbour COM
mittee on credentials WAS appointed, of
which he was made chairman; also
committee on permanent organization, of
which George p. Jones of Lauderdale was
made chairman. Meantime considera BILE
confusion arose over an effort to exclude
from the floor of the hall all except dele
gates committeeman and members. of the
press A vote by counties was taken, and
the motion to that effect by T. +. Hefiin
of Chambers was carried. A member
from Marengo. John G. Webb, was per-
sistentIy funny and noisy m his efforts to
prove that the convention had no organi-
zationl Fortunately for the wearied pa
tience of the members, on motion of II.
ID Clayton of Barbour, the convention
adjourned until p. m.
Might Session.
Immediately upon the reassembling of
the convention at $40 Clayton of Bar
bour announced the committee on cre-
dentials ready to report, which was read
by Delegate Blue. The report showed
but one contest-that from Lee--and the
recommendation that the Johnston dele
cations be seated was put to the conven-
tion and carried with shout
Delegate Bullock of Franklin read the
report of the committee on permanent
organization, which recommended that
j. H. Bankhead of Fayette county be
elected permanent chairman, Gilmore
Garrett secretary and the other tempo
rary officers be made permanent. Car
ried with great enthusiasm.
A motion by Ex-Congressman Will
liams of Elmore to substitute the name
of E. l.. Russell of Mobile was voted
down with great volume of sound. al
though the sound money faction made no
little din. These incidents afforded the
factions a chance to make a great noise
over their convictions.
Mr.. Bankhead said on taking the chair:
I esteem 1t q very great honor indeed to
be selected from the body OF this con-
vention to preside over its deliberations.
You are here bearing the commission of
noble people. We have passed through
q somewhat exciting canvass. I realize
differences of opinion. recognize DEM
ocrats have alright to differ up to q GER
tain point. We are here to perform a
duty which II we perform II well we may
expect to reap a glorious victory in Au-
gust. During the canvass we have had
but one issue which vitality concerns ev-
cry man. woman and child in Alabana-
Our constituency expects us to perform
our duty without fear l believe the
president does wh4t he believes to be
best for the Interests OF the whole people
tapplause), but we have the right to diff