Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-07-23

the spectators galleries An hour later
the numbers on the floor and In the gal
lcres were about double.
The hall was practically IN the same
condition, as TO arrangements and decora-
t!ons, that II was in when the Republi-
can convention assembled In IL seven
weeks ago. except that the pictures Of
Washington Grant. Sherman, and others
I had been taken away, and that the place
reserved for the chairman. secretaries.
and other officials and celebrities on the
stage was absolutely unprovided with
tables chairs, or any other part OF the
necessary outfit. The reason for this
nakcdness In the most important and con-
| spicuous part Of the hall was past finding
out
The absence OF srass bands as an al
most necessary adjunct to 'all political
| gatherings has been particularly notice.
able in connection with the Populists.
There was an exception made to-day, how
ever. band being located in the gallery
! back Of the chairman's stand, which filled
\ up the long waiting-time.
Many OF the delegates setting cere-
mony and dignity aside. divested them
selves OF coats and sat in their shirt
| sleeves. tanning themselves assiduously.
| The unceremoniousnes OF the whole
affair was further indicated by the pre-
sence OF some ladies in the seats Of dele
| gates. and by the carrying around of the
youngest Coxey child. baptized by the
name Of Legal Tender" The ladies'.
however, sat on the right OF the entrance.
being delegates from the State Of Colo
rado. and five In number, and every one
! of them an orator.
Al IL 30 the first motion was made in
the line Of providing accommodations
for the chairman and officers. Soon after
this some workmen hung over the railing
| Of one OF the galleries n fair-sized pic-
ture Of Abraham Lincoln, draped in the
American flag, and the sight OF IL drew
out the first manifestation OF applause
or interest that the convention had yet
! given out.
TELEGRAMS FROM TEXAS.
Other occasional cheers went up from
| the same quarter Of the hall, and il was
ascertained that the provocation for
| them was the receipt OF successive tele-
| grams to the Texas delegates from the
/ home constituencies, urging them not to
turn to the right or turn to the left, but
keep In the middle of the road"
There were only three colored delegates
present. These were, from Colorado. G.
| w. Buford; from Georgia, ;. ID. Walton,
and from Kansas James Beck.
At IL O'Clock there was still no sign OF
an organization of the convention. The
portion of the hall reserved for delegates
| was then about two-thrds full and
there were not hundred spectators in
the galleries. Probably one third of the
delegates were in their shirt-sleeves.
and many women not delegates were
seated among them.
The appearance Of two American flags.
borne by members of the Mississippi
delegation, with the motto, mo COM
promise" attracted attention and some
| little applause.
When the Massachusetts delegates en-
tered there were few cheers. and in the
mean time there was nung over the
! railing behind the chairman a picture,
| apparently that Of Peter Cooper, the
New York millionaire and philanthropist.
| with the motto, from one of his letters
or speeches: National prosperity can
not be restored by enforced idleness on
a large portion of the people"
Then also the members of the Popust
National Committee and several dele
! gates took seats on the platform. All
/ this time there was much commotion in
| the Texas end Of the hail. where several
| fiery delegates harangued their col
leagues.
THE CALL TO ORDER.
At 1888 o'clock the convention was
called to order by Mr.. Taubeneck. chair
| man Of the National Committee. and
! Rev. w. II. H. Smith. Of the Third Bap-
tist church. Of st. Louis, offered prayer.
Governor William j. Stone. Of Missouri,
delivered an address OF welcome. He
said: Mr. Chairman and Gentlemen OF
the Conventional come TO extend "A genu-
| inc and hearty welcome to the hos
pitalities Of the State, Of which l have
| the honor to be the Executive officer.
Freedom Of opinion on religious, political,
social. and all other subjects; freedom
| OF action. so long as the exercise Of that
| freedom does not disturb public order or
| trench on the just rights OF others, are
cardinal principles in our great govern
mental system Applause)
"In this State We seek to give to that
| basic idea its best possible expression.
We differ as to methods and we differ
| often as TO policies and principles; but 1t
is to be devoutly hoped that all of us
are actuated by love of country, and by
motives of the greatest patriotism. Gap
! plause)
you are met. gentlemen, in a crucial
| period (as / esteem iD. not only OF party
| history, but Of national history. 1t would
be unbecoming in me to make any sug-
! gestion whatever as to the duty OF this
convention. / can, however without i'm
proprety. say that / hope that every gen
tleman occupying a seat In this great
| body will perform the important and re-
sponsible duty imposed upon him, with an
eye single 10 the public good, TO the de-
velopment Of his country, TO the promo
ton of the peoples welfare, and to the
glory of the republic"
DONNELLY FOR UNITY.
Ignatius Dornely. of Minnesota. re-
sponded to Governor Stones address of
welcome. lie spoke of the different cities
| that had desired the convention. men
tioning Chicago as that queenly city of
magnificent growth which is the miracie
of our American civilization" But st.
Louis was selected because it was pre-
eminently the heart and centre of the
American Continent, the grandest body
OF agricultural and fertile lands on the
face of the earth"
Mr.. Donnelly said that the men of Val
| ley Forge had no more sublime and tre-
mendous duty than eve have to-day. No
| man. however great, is worth scintilla
against the interests of this great party
Mr. Donnelly closed by making an elo-
quent appeal for unity.
II stood" he said "at the cradle OF the
old Greenback party. (Cheers) I stood
at the cradle of the Peoples party. God
forbid I should be here to-day TO attend
its funeral Stand together. friends. Lift
up your hearts TO the majesty and the
dignity of the duties laid upon your shoul-
| ders."
The chairman asked such members OF
the Executive Committee as were In the
body OF the han TO step up 10 the plat
| form. Among those who thus advanced
was Mrs Mary Ellen Lease, who was
warmly cheered.
CHAIRMAN BUTLER.
Chairman Taubeneck introduced as tenn