The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-07-08

blessing be upon US anu our ClAl4UA eli
now and for ever more Amen
The reading clerk of this convention
is in appearance a fac smile OF the
late Bill Nye and has 2 voice that
has apparently been trained in calling
from mountain top to mountain top. 1t
overpOwered the hustle of two or three
thousand people elbOwing their way
down the aisles when he made the rou-
tine announcements after the prayer.
Senator Daniel was a commanding
figure as he stood by the iag-draped
desk announcing that the first bust
ness of the day would be the reports
OF committees A hitch in the ma
chinery appeared at once when it was
announced that the committee on Gre
dentials, which is always first, was not
ready with its recommendations.
BLAND BANDS DIVERSION.
In the meantime while the cOnVen-
tiOn was waiting, a diversion was fur
nished by the band which was brought
to Chicago by the Bland marching
club. The convention band was pound
ing away in the high gallery over the
platform when a counter blast was
heard in the far western end of the
hall to the right of the delegates and
the Bland band hove into sight filling
up the long aisle to the tOpmost row of
seats playing the pyrOtechnic strains
of Dixie which never fails to affect
a Democratic convention like a match
dropped into powder barrel 1t pro
duced the customary explosion of en-
thusiasm. The Missouri delegates with
many of its supporters climbed into
their chairs to shout Maryland, My
Maryland inspiring another demon
stratiOn.
Then Chairman Daniel put a motion
that the convention take a five minute
recess and be addressed by Gov. HOgg
of Texas The motion was carried
HOGG OF TEXAS SPEAKS.
The former Lone Star governor, who
is now known to the world at large on
account of his fight against railroads
in his state, is easily the biggest man
in the convention. His weight is not
less than 300 pounds and he stands
some inches above six feet. He has lost
the beard which he wore last summer
during his invasion of Wall street to
lure northern capital southwark and
faced the friendly audience with
round smooth face. He proceeded with
a voice like the bass of a church organ
to hurl thunder bolts against gold and
Republicanism.
He began by congratulating the con-
vention on the proud opportunity be-
fore it. The tactics of Democrats in
not boiling he declared. should pre-
vail in accordance with the time honor
ed Democratic doctrine of majority
rule. He spoke of the preservation of
the liberties of the people from the yoke
of Republican rule. The party. he said,
had made a mistake four years ago
which would not be repeated. If the
Republican party returned to power it
fOrebode a nation of miniOns and mil
HOnaires. If the Democrats would
stand together that party could this
year, he said, be forever laid out
on the hillside of despair.
He denounced the growing tendency
toward the Capitalization of govern
ment, which he said must eventually
mean the oppression of the people by
the bayonet and the destruction of
their liberties He drifted thence into
a discussion of the tariff question. His
purpose was simply to hold the atten-
tiOn of the convention until the creden-
tials committee was prepared to re-
MRS. GRANT THERE.
Among the distinguished guests on
the platform were Don NJ Dickinson,
Senators Dubois and Pettigrew, Con-
gresham Towne of Minnesota, and
Col w. H. Hepburn of Iowa, John Al
len of TepelO, Mississippi, the wit
OF the house of representatives; ex-
Congressman Phil Thompson of Ken
lucky, ex-senator Butler of South Car
Olina who was defeated for reelection
TO the senate by Ben Tillman. Among
the ladies' on the platform were Mrs
u $. Grant and Mrs Potter Palmer
The Texas ex-gOvernOr's attack on
| the Republican platform met with
| hearty sympathy from the audience
| Some of the gold men, however, show
| ed openly that they were opposed to
| some of his extreme expressions.
| When eX-GOv. HOgg had finished
/ Senator White assumed the gavel tenn
/ pOrarily While the crowd cried for Hill
| Bryan, Blackburn, Altgeld and others.
WELLS FOR BLACKBURN.
! Delegate Money of Mississippi moved
/ that Senator Blackburn be requested
/ to address the convention and the
| crowd yelled itself hoarse with approx
1 al With a proud step the gallant Ken
/ tuckian mounted the stage. His ap-
| pearance set the convention wild. He
4 is one of the silver idols. and it was ap-
parent as soon as his fervid oratOry
/ was launched that he had pit and gal
/ lery with him. The Democratic party.
| he said. was in convention to correct
| its grievances and right its wrongs
YELLS OF APPROVAL
| The campaign had been opened in
] splendid style. State after state had
/ fallen into line and the convention was
| instructed overwhelming by a maJori-
/ ty of the party and the people There
/ was no doubt where the duty of the
l country lay. The Kentuckian's speech