Eagle River Democrat. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1893-1896, 1896-07-13
THE CONVENTION OPENS.
Hill for Temporary Chairman is Turned
Down'-DanieI Chosen.

cent and capacious Coliseum in Jackson
park, beneath clear skies, with a cool,
invigorating breeze swapping at the flags
aid trappings, and the blue waters OF
Lake Michigan stretching far away, the
Democratic national convention met to-
day. After a brief but decisive battle
III the arena, the silver men indicated
their supremacy They Wrested from
the hands of the gold phalanx the con-
troll of the convention, and gathered the
reins of power into their own hands.
There was a "reminiscences of that other
great Coliseum whose fall marked the
destruction of an empire, where men
were butchered to make a Roman holt
day, about it ALL A champion who has
so often entered the lists to do battle
in Democracy'S cause amid the ringing
shouts and the wild acclaim of his party
was put to the sword that silver might
be supreme.
1t was with reluctance that many or
the friends of Senator David Bennett
Hill turned their thumbs downward. as
the arrogant patricians Of the empire
that ruled the world did when the popu-
lace cried for mercy. But. like the
gladiators who entered the arena to the
blare of the trumpet and the clang OF
steel, the silver men beat back their SYM
pathies and hardened their hearts that
the issue might be squarely drawn and
decided even though it involved the doom
of one whom they delighted to honor III
the past.
By one of those strange condolences.
it was Senator John w. Daniel of Nlr-
ginia, who. four years ago at the Wig
wan. nominated Mr.. Hill for the presl-
dency. who was selected to give the fatal
blow to the man he would have exalted
to the first place in the republic. No
more elegant commentary on the revolu-
ton which has divided the party and
made this convention so memorable
could be needed. 1t was not without a
wall of agony. however. that some Of the
spectators who could not fathom the
mysteries of political maneuyering and
the necessity of grinding men beneath
the heel. saw the old champion. whose
slogan and proudest boast is, II am a
Democrat" go down. Even after Sen
ator Daniel had reached the platform
and assumed the gavel they called loudly
for the defeated leader. but the expert
enced general who had tasted the bit
terness Of defeat before as well as the
sweetness of victory, only smiled grlmly.
Harrity Calls for Order.
At few miautes before 1 o'clock
Chairman William f. Harrity raped
with his gavel The prayer by Rev.
attention. In fact. when the multitude
stood its demeanor was that OF a calm
and respectful congregation, rather than
that of gathering of earnest, fighting
politicians.
AS soon as Mr. Harrity mentioned the
name of David 3. Hill as the choice of
the national committee for temporary
chairman there was a burst of cheer
ing. Massachusetts men led it, because
they had front seats, but New York,
Pennsylvania, New Jersey and the scat
tered gold men of other states stood up
and joined in the noise They shook
their straw hats and tossed their hand
kerchiefs and yelled with all their power,
while the silver men leaned back in their
chairs and smiled grimly. There was
slight applause for the other names men
toned i'll the report.
1t came time for the silver men to
howl when H. =. Clayton of Alabama
stepped out on the platform to submit
the minority report. He went at it de-
liberately. but he roared just to show
that he was in earnest. He said he be-
lieyed the minority of the committee
represented the majority of the conven-
ton, and so he reported the name Of
Senator Daniel. This was like drop
ping a spark into canister of powder.
The free silver men jumped UP and let
out chorus of bowls and cheers last
ing a full minute. There was more
sharp yelling when the motion was made
to adopt the minority report.
A number of persons talked for and
against the motion to adopt the minority
report, but the surprise of the session
was the appeal made for Hill by j. w.
ST. Clair of West Virginia. He is a
freesilver man, and said SO, but he
thought it would be the courteous and
regular thing to permit Mr.. Hill to act
as temporary chairman His speech was
warmly applauded by the Hill men. Mr..
Clayton of Alabama, who had presented
the minority report, then closed the de-
bate, and made delicate reference to
the possibility that if David B. Hill
had stood by a certain speech which
he once made at Elmira he might have
been the choice of the present conven-
ton. This reference to Hills silver
speech caused some laughter, Mr.. Hill
net joining in it.
The convention had been in session for
two hours when the debate ended and
the roll call was ordered. During that
time the issue of the convention had
started in with determination, but the
delegates had managed to keep their
tempers pretty well, and so the prepara-
lions for the roll call were conducted in
a good-natured way.
The announcement of the first test of
strength in the convention showed $50
for the silver mems candidate. Daniel,
and only $40 for Senator Hill was the
occa sion for another demonstration. and
for a brief time the convention yelled in
genuine earnest. It was far too tired
and hungry crowd, however. to sus-
tain any prolonged applause. and after
few minutes Chairman Harrity was
able to make himself heard. He named
committee TO escort Senator Daniel
to the chair The new chairman deliv-
cred ringing speech on the issues of
the campaign and then the convention
adjourned until tomorrow morning.
Permanent Organization.
The committee on permanent organiza-
ton has selected Senator Stephen White
of California for permanent chairman
of the convention. The vote was:
White 33, Hill of New York g.
The committee met in the Coliseum i'm
mediately after the adjournment of the
was made chairman. and J. T. Brown OF
(TpOrUl1 secretary \ them