The record-union., 1896-07-26


He assumed that all delegates had read
in the papers this morning the telegram
from Mr.. Bryan declining to accept the
nomination Of the Peoples party dlsas-
sociated from Mr.. Sewall. mo man,
said Mr.. Weaver, could have done less
and be a man. Mr.. Bryan's attitude
challenges the respect Of every delegate
present, and of every man who reads the
proceedings of this convention.
But he continued, this is greater
question than the personality of our
candidate. After I read Mr.. Bryan's
telegram I utterly refused-and l now
utterly refuse-to concur with the dec
laration of Mr.. Bryan or Senator Jones
as to who shall be the candidates of
this convention"
Bryans name was received with ap-
plause, the whole convention standing
on chairs and waving hats. A gigantic
wooden cross, surmounted by golden
crown, thus reversing Mr.. Bryan's ia
nous epigram, was brought in and car
ried around the hall The guidons of
States were raised, and vociferous
attempt was made to raise enthusiasm,
but with marked absence of sponta-
neity. A portrait Of Bryan was dis
played, and numerous devices were car
ried around the hall. All the States
Joined in the demonstration except
Missouri, Texas, Rhode Island and
Wisconsin.
After the hippodrome performance
had lasted nearly twenty minutes the
convention was called to order.
General Field of Virginia came to the
~ ;v,n cl1 q \,
declared Mr. Bryan the choice of the
Virginia delegation, and declared that
although no music had been provided,
the convention was marching to the
music of the speeches.
Now, gentlemen of the jury" he
went on, Il mean gentlemen of the con-
vention, I move that the rules be sus-
pended and that w. J. Bryan be unan-
imously nominated"
The Chairman put the question, and
two-thirds Of the audience responded
with vigorous shouts of aye" This
cry, however, was accompanied by the
counter cries of mo- "call the roll of
States" Several of the most excited op-
ponents got on the platform and angri-
ly prevented the Chairman from declar-
ing the result of the vote. During the
uproar Stump" Ashby of Texas man
aged to obtain hearing. He said that
the State of Texas had already polled
10000 Populist votes and he wanted
tC know of what other State that fact
could be asserted. Texas was ready to
indorse Mr.. Bryan if Bryan would in
dorse the Populist platform. To in
dorse him without that would be the act
of children. (Cheers.)
Mr.. Howard protested that the mo-
ton for suspension of the rules was out
of order. Such gag rule had heretofore
been unknown in Populist conventions
The Chair said the gentleman from
West Virginia had been accorded the
floor in the time of the delega ton from
Arkansas. A delegate in the rear asked
the repeater to tell him what was
going on, and another delegate angrily
retorted: This whole convention is
stacked with repeaters"
The utmost confusion was prevailing
all this time, and 1t was simply impos-
sible to obtain an accurate idea of the
condition of the business.
The roll call was interrupted to al
low the reading Of telegram to one of
the delegates. 1t was: please do not
permit the use of my name for nomina-
ton. Eugene V. Debs.'
The motion to suspend the rules was
understood to be withdrawn, and the
call of States for Presidential nomina-
tions was resumed. When California
was called T. V. Gator of that State
came to the stand and spoke of the ne
cessity of acting calmly, coolly and
justly in the great crisis which had
| come unexpectedly to the party. A long
and fiowery grafton was wound up by
the nomination of William ]. Bryan, to
which nomination another California
delegate objected
The call of States was then continued,
Mr.. Kolb of Alabama in the chair
When Georgia was called Mr.. Hunt of
| that State seconded the nomination of
Mr.. Bryan and predicted an onward
march to victory and triumph
Colonel Clagget responded to the call
| of Idaho, and seconded the nomination
of Bryan. 1t seemed to him that it
would be a crime against liberty, a
crime against humanity, if the conven-
ton failed to secure the champion of
the masses of the common people.
| Taubeneck also seconded Bryan's
nomination, as did Indian Territory.
| (vacating the Chair addressed the con-
vention in a speech seconding the NOM
inatioG OF Bryan, whom he eulogiZed
rs peerless statesman, as one who
would, if elected, see that the free and
unlimited coinage of silver was estab-
lished and the golden god of Wall
street dethroned.
When Kansas was called Jerry Simp-
son made a short speech seconding the
| nomination of Bryan, and eulogizing
him.
The delegates from Louisiana put for
ward as their orator q handsome brown
barred young woman, Mrs. Roberts of
Colorado, who informed the convention
had the courage and the chivalry to
grant to women the right which they
demanded for themselves. I'VE of Col
| orado." she exclaimed-'I mean we of
Louisiana Qaughter) second the nom-
ination of Mr.. Bryan" Mrs. Roberts
withdrew amid applause.
| Henry w. Call of New York was de-
puted to speak for Maine He spoke
| OF the proposed marriage" between
| Fcpulism and Democracy; declared that
| he knew of just and lawful impedi-
ment, and exclaimed that, in the name
of common sense, he forbade the bans.
Oaughter) He was proceeding to op-
pose the nomination of Bryan. when
| the Chairman Senator Allen) called the
attention of the Maine delegation to
the fact that it was understood to sec
end Bryan's nomination.
| The Chairman proved to be right and
Field of Virginia declared angrily that
| Call was abusing the confidence of the