Birmingham state herald., 1896-07-23
:" 'ss* astaS ST. JOHN AND TIE GIRL Got Most of the Applause of the
 Silverites. CONVENTION IS ORGANIZED A Committee by States Appointed to Confer
 With the Populists. MISS PIERCE IN A DRAMATIC EPISODE The Ex-Bank President of New York Made Permanent Chairman-His Short
 Speech Well Received-He
 Says Bryan and sewall.
lss PIERCE IN A DRAMATIC EPISODE

T today, may not be able to boast of a controlling influence in the great trian- gular contest which is to decide the pol icy of the country for the four years be- ginning on the 4th of March next, but it will be able to declare truthfully that not one of the other three parties has had a handsomer or more convenient conven- ton hall than itself. Music hall is 8 part of the exposition building. It is very pretty place of entertainment, capa- ble of seating some 5000 or 5000 people, and 1t is decorated for the occasion with a good deal of taste. The exposition building is on Olive and Thirteenth streets, within three or four squares of the republican convention hall, now the meeting place of the popullst convention
 The conditions governing entrance to the silver convention were almost as rig orous as at Chicago on the opening day of the democratic convention, although the demands for admittance were so few that at five minutes of 12 there was no one in the gallery but the band and on the floor scarcely more than 200, includ- ing visitors. Temporary Chairman New lands and MT. Towne of Minnesota, one of the bolting republicans, appeared and took seats on the platform, accompanied by slight applause. They were soon fol- '. York national banker slated for perma- nent chairman, who was not recognized by the peoples party.
 Mckinley and Most.
 The only banner in the hall outside of the regular decorations was carried by the Minnesota delegation, and was in tended to announce the declaration of Herr Most, the New Yorker, for McKin- ley. It represents Most and Mckinley shaking hands. The right arm of Mo- Kiniey bears the word Trust" and that of Most the word Anarchy"
 Across the top are the words, Unite and Down These" and at the base, "The Modern Herod and Pilate Unite to Crucsfy the Common People,"
 'Alsong the delegates who began to en- ter lhe hall in squads at noon were a number of ladies, the Colorado delega- tion alone containing six, whose gowns wereiof the latest pattern and hats of the smartest variety. They occupied front seats.
 Senator Pettigrew of South Dakota, another of the republican bolters, arr rived at 1905 and joined Messrs. New lands and St. John on the platform.
 At 12:30 Chairman Dr. Mott of North Carolina called the convention to order and announced that proceedings would be opened with the reading of the call for the convention by J. M. Devine, sec retary of the bimetallic league, which was accordingly done.
 At this time there were probably 400s delegates in their seats and two score spectators.
 At 12:35 pr. Mott introduced Hon. Francis G. New1ands, representative in congress for Nevada, as the temporary chairman, who addressed the conven- tion-
 MT. Newlands' Remarks.
 Mir Newlapds' reference to the decla- rations by the democratic platform for free coinage of silver at the ratio of 16 to without international agreement and to the qualities of the democratic candi- dates were received with much favor by the delegates.
 His suggestion that bimeta1lists retain ing independence of conviction and ac- tion upon non-essentials should unite upon the essential issues of the campaign with the democrats and under the gal lant leader named by that party march to victory, received a tumultuous response, which indicated the intention of the delegates to do that very thing.
 MT. Newlands' question as to the date when the commercial nations of Europe would prabably be brought up to the point of getting the United States in an international agreement for free coinage of silver was answered by one of the delegates amid laughter, "When Gabriel blows his horn
 Delegates from all parts of the floor
  tions that they did not like the gold stsnderd, which he said had been the standard of this country for three years
 Ifs assertion that the silver party ob- jected to English policy upon American soil elicted the most tumultuous ap- plause of any part of his speech. MT Newlands spoke fifty minutes and was warmly applauded at the close. A per- manent organization was then under taken, committees being named by call h -k<.t< Af which were represented failed to re- spond, so that 1t was impossible to tell how many states were in the conven- ton.
 After naming the committee on cre- dentfa1s the temporary chairman sug- eested that the state delegations get to- gether and select their representatives on the several committees and pending this Miss La1lie Pierce of St. Louis was escorted to the platform. She was array ed in d garb of white, over which was draped the American flag, and with a liberty cap on her head.
 The Fair Goddess of Liberty.
 On her left arm she wore shoulder and wrist bracelets, connected with chains of gold coins, and on her bosom delegates badge, the color of which was of old gold. She stood in front of the presiding of ficer's desk, which was draped with yell low silk bordered with gold bullion fringe Miss Pierce carried small flag, and waving it, said: Americans, under the folds of our grand flag salute you"
 She then recited the declaration Of in. dependence, and the swelling periods of that document were greeted with ap- plause. The conclusion of the recitation, which was very effectively rendered, was marked by wild outburst of ap- piause, while the band played the Red, White and Blue"
 A delegate from Colorado moved that the thanks of the convention be given Miss Pierce for her recitation of the char ter of American liberty. and it was adopted by rising vote and more cheer ing.