The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1896-09-03
REFoRE THE CONVENTION MET
Aristocratic Gentlemen Conduct Inem-
selves With Fuli-Fed DecOrum.


BEFORE THE CONVENTION MET
Aristocratic Gentlemen Conduct Them
selyes With FullFed Decorum.
! Indianapolis, Ind, Sept. THAT old
1 Soils golden rays were hidden by masses
/ of silver clouds during the early morn
ing did not seem TO furnish cause 1or
depression among the gold Democrats
assembled here today. Perhaps the
reflected rays from the unique golden
stars in the many American1iags about
the hotel Hobbies furnished sufficient OF
the needed yellow light to tone the
early morning gray. At any rate, the
few hours of the morning preceding the
assembling of the gold Democratic con-
vention were marked by scenes rhat
placed 1t more upon the plane or otner
great national conventions than 1t has
seemed to hold during the past few
days. 1t was a bright, brisk morning
that greeted the delegates when they
arose early. True, the sun was not
pouring his rays into the city streets,
but the few white clouds, with no sug-
eestion of rain in them, that obScured
his royal vision showed evidence of
breaking away for a beautiful day, and
meanwhile tempered the atmosphere
vfving. The city streets surrounding
the hotels that had been made head
quarters, were gay with bunting and
flags and, while the local committee did
not think them quite lavish enough, the
average delegate seemed pleased.
SILVER APOSTLES.
The hotel corridors early presented
an animated appearance and, contrary
mated discussions aroused, not pertain
ing TO the selection of candidates or
the adoption of a platform. but argu-
ments with silver Democrats who chose
either 10 ask or to volunteer infoma-
ton. John Dewitt Warner of New
York and ex-Congressman Charles D..
Haines of Undertook were foremost
among the gold champions, and vigor-
ously proclaimed their faith. Haines,
who il said to be a lieutenant and very
close to Senators Hill and Murphy of
New York, not only made arguments in
the hotel corridors, but went out into
the streets and obtained respectful
hearings from about 400 people. Other
orators whose names could not be learn
ed, started discussions in various parts
of the hotel corridors and all were sur
rounded by eager and curious groups
of wisdom-seekers.
The arrival Of delegates from nearby
and far western states added to the gen
eral confusion and the bands kept up a
merry round Of en1ivening music. There
was a general lack Of noisy demonstra-
ton, although there were plaudfts, and
sometimes jeers, from the crowds that
surrounded the lobby orators.
ARLSTOCRATIC FELLOWS.
Undoubtedly this was due to the
fact, perfectly apparent, this morning,
that the delegates, as a body, are COM
posed Of a higher class of men than gen.
orally forms the file of a national con-
vention.
In every delegation this was appar-
ent. Bankers, merchants, reformers
in American politics, some men who
had never before taken part in a ma
tional convention, lawyers, railroad
men, and few. If any, professional poll
ticians formed the great mass of dele
gates They were men who leaned to-
ward calm discussion and who deemed
themselves, however, worthy patriots
engaged in their country's salvation.
1t was this latter attitude. probably,
that put the stamp OF great dignity up
on the delegates, even before they as
sembled in convention and which pre-
vented, in the streets and hotel CORR
doris, prior to the assem- bling of the
convention, the almost riotous scenes
that marked the aast two national con-
ventions.
Up TO very nearly the hour OF as
sembling. all but about four states in
the Union were found to be represented
and with full delegations. This prov
ed rather source Of wonderment to
those who started the movement and
who now pointed 70 the time which the
project had lived and its apparent sue
cess as Indicative of enthusiastic sup
port.
CANDIDATES.
While the trend OF opinion as to the
candidates was toward Bragg and
Buckner during the early morning.
there were still many vigorous little
boomS for others and It was curious
and rather humorous to see the wav
in which records were pulled TO pieces
to find II there were any silver flaws in
gold candidates.
The largest estimate Of the crowd this
morning was made by a railroad mar.
who asserted than there were 5000 in
the city, delegates and strangers. OF
this estimated Chicago furnish
ed large proportion, including the
Cook county marching club. about 200
strong, and the only uniformed club In
town.
ANTT-BRAGG MOVEMENT.
An effort was made today TO force
General Bragg out OF the presidential
race IN favor Of Senator vflas. O. the
same state. Many delegates herr BE-
lieving Senator Villas the strongest can
didace, had rendered him their support
and other delegates had withheld ex-
preseions OF opinion until some definite
could be made and a de-
reached as 70 whether Or
not Bragg should retire IN favor OF sa-
tor Villas. The senator had said that
he could not be q candidate, "a General
RraSx was candidate from his own
state. The delegates who were in IT,.
movement TO secure General RraEs's
n fevES OF Villas were ex-
pected 20 present the name or General
John c. Black OF Illinois. II General
Bragg remained in the field Blacks
name was 20 be presented By the IIli-
ncls delegation. which would. no doubt.
vote for Villas in case Bragg were out
OF the field. A conference OF leaders
was held during the day - determine.
IL possible. what action should be taken
as 10 a candidate and TO bring shout a
situation which would secure the no-ni-
nation OF a strong ticket with practical
A sensational story was printed IN
paper here. which. IL true.