Omaha daily bee., 1896-07-08
ROLL CALL SHOWS WUTlNY IN SOME CAMPS
Rejection Of Hill is Effected by Nearly a
Two-Thirds Vote.
FREE COINAGE IS IN COMPLETE CONTROL
pIaud Has the Lead for the Nomina,
tion. but There H. Possibility
OF All Kinds of ComPlicR-
ti0ns-CnuCus Probable.

CHICAGO July In the magnificent and
capacious Coliseum in jackson park, be-
meath clear skies. with cool, invigorating
breeze swapping at the flags and trappings
and the blue waters Of Lake Michigan
stretching away to the north, the democratic
national convention met today. After a
brief, but decisive battle in the arena, the
silver men vindicated their supremacy. They
wrested from the hands OF the gold phalanX
the control Of the convention, and gathered
the reins of power into their own hands
There was a reminiscence Of that other
great Coliseum, whose fall marked the de-
struction Of an empire, when men were
butchered TO make Roman holiday, about
it all champion who has so often entered
the lists to do battle in democracys cause
amid the ringing shouts and the wild
claim of his party was put to the sword
that silver might be supreme. 1t was with
reluctance that many Of the friends of Sen
ator David B. Hill turned their thumbs
downward as the arrogant patricians Of the
empire that ruled the world did when the
populace cried for mercy. But like the
glRdi8tors who entered the arena to the
blare of the trumpet and the cleng Of steel,
the silver men beat back their sympRthies
and hardened their hearts that the issue
involved the doom of one whom they had
delighted to honor in the past.
BY one OF those strange, fateful coin
cidences it was Senator John w. Daniel
of Virginia who four years ago at the wig
wan nominated Mr.. Hill for the presi-
dency. who was selected to give the fatal
blow to the man whom he would have eX-
alted to the first place in the republic No
more eloquent commentary on the revolution
which has divided the party and made this
gD hlp rpuld he needed
II was not without wall Of agony, how
ever. that some of the spectators who could
not fathom the mysteries of political maneu-
vering saw the old champion whose slo-
gan and proudest boast Il am demo
crat'' go down. After Senator Daniel had
reached the platform and assumed the gave
they called loudly for the defeated leader
but the experienced general, who had tasted
the bitterness Of defeat, as well as the sweet
ness of victory, only smiled grimly.
This was the first result Of this remark
able convention which is ready to sacri-
fee all else that the white banner Of sill
yer may float above the party as its en-
sign and rallying cry.
PICTURE OF THE HALL.
The convention itself was a most inspir-
ing sight. Never before since the present
system of national conventions was inRu-
gurated by the national republican" party
in Baltimore in 1881 has a convention met
in such a capacious and admirably adapted
structure On the north side where the
platform and the press benches are situated
the galleries rise above the other sheer
from the floor, while in front from all
sides of the rallied enclosure where the
delegates sit, each state marked by the
neatest of STATS. slope away the wilderness
of seats in gentle terraces to the most re-
mote limits of the coliseum, almost 400
feet in direct line from the chairman s
table The hands Of the big clock opposite
the platform cannot be discerned yet the
acoustic properties of the building are so
perfect that every word could be distinctly
heard Tho decorations are simple, but
effective. From the lofty girders which hold
the Rrched roof hutter gay trappings. The
galleries in front are entwined with national
colors, while at regular intervals large
crRyon protraits Of the patron saints Of
the party. Jefferson, Jackson and others
look down upon their successors in the faith
A large protrGit of Mr.. Cleveland was of
TO one side, the only one displayed OF a
living democrat, With the vast space filled
almost TO the outermost walls with n
forest OF people, an unusually large number
OF whom were ladies, and the brave flags Of
enthusiasts whirling and breaking like
whitecaps over a storm-swept sea, The scene
was a brilliant one.
There demonstration during the
day for any OF the candidates but many
OF the leaders, like AIN and Whitney, Black
burn, Ex-Governor Russell and Harrity
were the recipients Of individual ovations
The followers Of both sides took every op-
portunity TO cheer their champions. There
were many Q4StlAEu4SleQ lea qTrs among the
delegates on the noOr, like Senator Jones OF
Arkansas; Ex-Governor Flower Frederic X
CouGert and eX-MRyor Grant Of New York
Senator White and William W. Foote Of
California, Governor HoEg Of the Lone
Star state, General 81. Clair and Governor
McCorlle Of West Virginia, John r. Mclean
Allen W. Thurman and Tom J. johnson OF
Ohio; John Z. Hurst Of Maryland. e. =
Howell and his son, Clark Howell OF
Georgia Senators George and WaIthall OF
Mississippi Senators West and Cockren Of
Missouri Governor Altgeld Of Illinois John
j. Walter Of Connecticut. Senator Gray Of
Delaware, Senator blanchard and Judge Nc
Emery Of Louisiana, Senators Bate and Har-
ris of Tennessee and host of others On
the platform were the members OF the ma
tionsl committee.
STRANGE GUESTS PRESENT.
Among the distinguished guests seated
In the rear were number of gold leaders
who have been conspicuous in previous
conventions, but VINO were swept aside IN
the silver cohorts in their states These IN
cluded General Gordon Of Georgia, Senator
Lindsay Of Kentucky eX-CouErcssuan By
mum ot Indiana, eX-CouEressman Ou-h-
waite Of Ohio and others But stranFcsr
OF AL on the platform Of a democratic con-
Fention was The little Coterie Of silver sen
stors Who boiled the convention al ..
Louis. Al present without a part, tho
seek entrance 10 tie democratic l.arty an e
urge that II select Mr Teller General J
3 Weaver and other p0pulsts and ilypr-
ites like Senator Stewart were also theIc.
all watching closely the results Of the do
liboTstions Of the convention. Although
many well known faces were missing. II
was a distinguished gathering
The invocation Of Dr.. Stirns, an Frisco.
pal divine. with its appeal FOR peace Lad
hardly assembled 10 the throne ct grace lC-
fore the oontonding hosts met IN the snoCk
o! hattie The gold men carried Oh th,'r
program uf presenting Senator HIll fol
temporary chairman. but the silver leaders
ala a "a Is.fF rHH
sttly sntagunizei him with Stust7r Daniel
For two hours the oTaturical eladGto.s 81.
The opposing forces fought {; out unon n,
Platform. Alexander McDerIpott 81 Nc
Jersey. J. I. Matter Of CONNECTICUT J. D.
Ee!lows O; New York ana General 81. Clair
81 West Virginia ohampioued Nj IIulf
Gauss and {. :. Thomas of Cciorseo NJ
ISTIRs ~ California c. A Lsdi II M
npnt Lsisgsts Msrrioa % Louisiana ard