The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1896-07-09
Committee on Credentials Not
20
Ready to Report at the Open
ing Session.
Convention Listened to Orator.
ical Flights by Silver Spell
binders.
Blackbuln's Speech Set the Con-
vention Wild -Altgeld Also
Cheered.

CHICAGO, July 9.-The crowds began
pouring into the Coliseum shortly after
9oclock, but the heavy-eyed delegates,
many of whom had had an all night
vigil, were late in arriving. A few min
utes before 10 o'clock the delegates
began to arrive. They came with their
loins girded for the fray. The develop
ments Of the night put every man on
his mettle, for it meant hard fighting
all along the line. The first Of the con-
spicuous leaders to arrive was Governor
Altgeld. He stalked moodily to his seat
and Immediately became the center of a
group.
Nervously his lean fingers sought his
short brown beard, as with inclined
head, he listened to the latest reports of
his lieutenants before the engagement
opened The air was rife with rumors,
much of it lowering about the question
Of gold bolt The arrival of their del
egation which was still in conference on
this subject, was anxiously awaited by
some of the old Democratic war horses
among the silver men, but many of the
radicals expressed utter indifference as
to the course Of the gold wing. The
silver leaders entered the arena with
their programme pretty well mapped
out. They intended to charge the gold
army and drive them as far as possible
against such stubborn resistance as
masterful generalship could offer.
Convention Called to Order.
At exactly 10 go Senator Daniel
raped for order. The minions of the
sergeant at arms had some difficulty in
clearing the alsles. When all were
seated and order was obtained, it was
found that the spaces reserved for the
New York, Massachusetts, Maine
Maryland and New Jersey delegations
were practically vacant. The threat OF
bolt came home with realizing sense
but it was explained that these delega
tions were still in conference discussing
the situation.
Rev. Francis Edward Green, an Epis
copalian minister of Cedar Rapids, La.
who has the distinction of having
prayed for peace and harmony at two
previous Democratic conventions, wal
introduced and delivered the invocation
The minister's voice was strong, but o.
pleasing timbre, and the vast audienc,
stood and listened attentively to hi
plea for grace.
Hitch in the Proceedings.
Senator Daniel was commanding
figure as he stood by the flag drapet
desk announcing that the first business
of the day would be the reports of com
mittees A hitch in the machinery ap
peared ut once for the committee OF
credentials, which always reports first
was not ready with its recommends
tiOns.
In the meantime, while the conven
ton was waiting, a diversion was fur
nished by the band which was brough
to Chicago by the Bland Marching club
The convention band was pounding
away in the high gallery over tn
platform, when a counter-blare wa
heard in the far western en-
of the hall to the right Of tn
delegates and the Bland band cam
into sight, filling up the long aisle t
the topmost row Of seats, playing tn
pyrotechnic strains Of Dixie whic
never fails to affect Democratic cor
vention like a match dropped into
powder barrel. It produced the Cut
tomary explosion of enthusiasm, tn
Missouri delegates, with many Of thei
supporters, climbing into their chairs
shout. Maryland, my Maryland,
inspired another demonstration.
Listened to Governor Hogg.
Then Chairman Daniel put motto
that the committee take five minute
recess and be addressed by GOvernC
Hogg of Texas. The motion was ca,
ried.
The former Lone Star governor, wh
is best known to the world at lare
through his fight against the railwa
corporations in his state. is easily tn
biggest man in the convention. II
weight is not less than 800 pounds an
he stands some inches aboye6 6 feet. Z
has lost the beard which he wore la
summer during his invasion of Wa
street to lure Northern capt.;
southwark, and faced the friend
audience with round, smoOt
face. He proceeded, with voice lii
the bass of church organ, to hu
thunderbolts against gold and Repu
licanism. His purpose was simply
hold the attention of the conventit
until the credentials committee W
prepared to report.
The Texas ex-gov ,rnor's attack ON Il
Republican platform met with hear
sympathy from the audience. Some
the gold NEIL, however, showed open
that they were opposed to some OF h
extreme exrress.cEs