Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1896-07-29

POpUEStS. When It became apparent
that the committee on credentials would
be unable TO report that evening the con-
vcntion adjourned.
The Second Day.
The second day, Thursday, July %,
was not productive Of any more definite
results than the first day. Chairman
Butler called the body to orde' at 1908
Il. III. and the time until noon had to be
filed IN with speeches by prominent men
III The convention and campaign songs
by persons VINO were gifted with good
voices. The delay was due to the fact
that the credentials committee was I'M
able to report. An adjournment was
taken until 3 o'clock III the afternoon.
At the afternoon session the commit
tee on credentials submitted its report
and the convention seemed to be in a
fair way to get down to solid work.
Colorado and Illinois furnished the most
important contests. The convention di-
vided honors in the Illinois case, but the
middle-of-the road faction claimed the de-
cision as substantial victory. The Col
orado case was settled without difficulty
later and then the convention unseated
Rublee A. Cole, Wisconsin delegate
whose claims had been tavorably acted
upon by the national committee, and
gave the seat to ISaacs, the contestant.
Then came the first real contest of the
cOnvention-the selection of permanent
chairman. The Bryan element was cen-
tered on Senator Allen of Nebraska and
the committee on permanent organiza-
ton had so recommended, but the mid
QIe-oI-Jne-road people presented the name
of James z. Campion Of Maine. The
vote resulted 75S for Allen and 564
for CampOn, and Mr.. Allen thereuDon
took the chair He delivered an address
covering the issues of the campaign and
the work before the convention and then
adjournment was taken until the fol-
loving day.
The Third Day.
The convention got down to business
on the third day, Friday, July a. The
regular proceedings were delayed long
enough after the convention had been
called to order for tribute to be paid the
memory of Mrs. Z. NJ. Emory of Michi-
gan, a life worker in the reform cause,
who had died few days before. There
was decided disposition to indulge in
a round of speeches such as had char
acterlZed the previous sessions, but
Jerry" Simpson mounted chair and
protested. with good effect. against the
delegates frittering away their time. A
committee to confer with a similar COM
mittee from the Silver party, in couven-
ton in a neighboring hall, was appoint
ed, and then the report of the committee
on rules was taken up. The first propo-
s1tlon to arouse opposition was the rec
ommendation to nominate a vice-presi-
dent before the presidential candidate
was selected. The adherents of Mr..
Sewau, Mr. Bryan's comrade on the
Democratic ticket, considered this IN at
lack Sn their man, and indeed they were
not long left IN ignorance as to its pur-
pose, for the opposition to the Maine
man was not concealed in the speeches
which were then heard on the report.
Finally a vote was taken and it result
ed III victory for the anti-Sewall forces,
$50 delegates voting to nominate vice
president first and Go voting to preserve
the customary order in such cases. Then
the resolutions were reported There
was minority report, tee and Gen.
COXey, who was not even satisfied with
the dissenting report of the minority,
was permitted to read a couple Of planks
of his own drafting, but the majority re-
port favoring free silver, government
control of railroads and telegraphs, more
liberal homestead laws. an income tax
and several other reforms that were
deemed desirable, was adopted. It was
at first thought best to go ahead with
the nominations for vice-president, hut
Il was getting late and an adjournment
until evening was deemed best.
At 6:32 the convention reaSSembled and
Chairman Allen introduced Judge Jeffer-
son Pollard of Missouri, who read the
platform of the silver convention and a
uleSSdSe ABOUT the OF bryan
and Sewall. The reading was repeatedly
interrupted by delegates in various parts
of the hail. who raised the point of order
that the regular order was nominations
for vice-president.
The following men were then placed in
nomination for vice-president: Congress
man Skinner of North Carolina. Thomas
e. Watson of Georgia. Arthur Sewali Of
Maize, Frank Burkett of Mississippi
and y. L. Mimms of Tennessee. Prof
l.. G. Bateman of Maine, the Populist
candidate for, governor, nominated Mari
on Page of Virginia, president of
the Farmers alliance of that state
In doing so, he protested in behalf of
the entire Maine delegation against Sew
alls nomination. He had nothing against
Mr.. Sewal personally, he said, but he
objected to the nomination of a man who
had net one particle of sympathy with
the principles of the Peoples party save
the one small question of silver The
speaker declared that the Maine Central
railroad, of which Sewall was presi-
name Of the Populists," he shouted, II
ask YOU not to press this bitter chalice to
our lips.
1t was FIVE minutes of II when the
chair stated that there would be no more
nominating speeches. He announced
that the roll of states would be called for
a ballot At exactly II o'clock the roll
call began. Before the ballot was com
2leted it was evident there was major
ity Tor Watson. Then the lights went
out, and the delegates were left in total
darkness. 1t was alleged that the lights
were turned out because the Bryan men
wanted the convention adjourned before
the convention named Bryan. Pande-
monium reigned. Men shouted out of
the inky blackness. Others sang and a
few cursed Then Mimm withdrew in
Watson's favor The Georgian already
had votes enough to nominate, but the
vote of Tennessee was finally added to
his column. Some one made q motion tC
make the nomination unanimous and it
was carried with Il whoop. Congress
man Howard of Alabama moved an adj
journment until 9 o'clock tomorrow
morning and the motion was carried.
Fourth and Last Day.
There was inextricable confusion on
the floor Of the auditorium before the
convention met on Saturday, July %,
the fourth and last day. The delegates
stood about IN animated groups discuss
ing the situation, and what it was best
+o hn