The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1896-07-23

on the lights was part Of scheme Of
the Bryan people 10 prevent the
straishtout element from controlling.
This suspicion that the lights were
out In the interest OF faction. as
they were turned out at the Cincinnati
convention BY the opponents of Blaine.
aroused storm Of protests and the
middle-of-the-roaders went charging
about in the dark TO discover the cause
Of the situation.
ITS a scheme Of the Bryan men,"
the Texas delegation shouted. Some
one mounted the stage and yelled "The
Bryan people have put out the lights.
but II they nominate Bryan we VIII
split this convention wide open"
You're disgrace to the party"
came emphatIcalIy from the depths OF
the hall. BY this time the aisles were
choked with delegates pushing and
cropping their way about in the dark
There began to be some apprehension
Of some sudden alarm which might
stampede the delegates and cause dis
aster, and the leaders began discuss
ing the advisability OF adjournment
until tomorrow morning. The band.
under instructions. kept up a constant
fusllade Of airs TO allay the fears of
any who might be alarmed. Whenever
the band played hymn the delegates
Joined In the chorus. Some OF the
rollicking songs like John Browns
Body" and Marching Thro' Geor-
gia." were also sung enthusiastically.
At $40 Cyclone Davis mounted the
stage and sought to restore order. but
the crowd refused to listen until some
one held a lighted candle in front OF
his face. As his tall form and broad
sweeping sombrero came within the
narrow ring OF light from the tallow-
dip. the delegates Immediately recog-
nized him and there were shouts Of
Shut up" keep quiet" listen to
Cyclone" When he could make him
self heard he announced that the
electric wires were ~disaTected-" but
that they would be all right soon,
whereupon there were cheers Of ap-
proval and the band struck up an
other tune.
At this juncture Mrs. Mary E. Lease
came to the stage and was appealed to
to make speech. but she declined to
talk in the darkness. wait until
they turn on the lights" she said,
and I'll talk to you all night" At
s:45 Chairman Butler appeared on the
stage. The band played Put Me on
At Buffalo," and then Senator Butler
called the convention TO order, He an
nounced that the committee on Gre
dentials would not be able to report
tonight and that as owing to an acei-
dent, there was no light, he would de-
clare the convention in recess until 10
o'clock tomorrow.
The situation tonight points more
strongly TO Bryan's endorsement or
nomination. In fact, the Bryan man
ayers declare that they are absolutely
certain that so far as the head OF the
ticket is concerned. they are out Of the
woods But with regard to Sewall
they admit privately that there are
grave doubts. and that there is now
probably majority OF the convention
against the Bath ship-builder They
are using all their energies to prevent
the complications that would follow
the endorsement OF Bryan and the
nomination OF a Populist for vice-pres-
ident The middle-of-the-road men
cannot even get together on a candi-
date for vice-president Debs is their
favorite, but the Bryan managers say
they have word that he will decline the
further nse OF his name. II Populist
is not named for vice president there
is sure to he bolt of some OF the
Southern delegations. The Bryan man
ayers, II is said, would welcome such
bolt II il came with victory for the
whole Chicago ticket. They claim they
will undoubtedly control the commit
tees on permanent organization and
resolutions to be announced tomorrow.
1t is their purpose, If they control, to j
frame platform along the lines of
the Chicago platform with as few con-
cessions to the radicals as possible.
After the additional committees are /
announced tomorrow and the report of
the committee on credentials is dis
posed of, Mrs. Lease will regale the
convention with her oratory A re-
cess will be then taken until night
when a permanent chairman will be
installed and the fight on the platform
will be begun. The nomination of can
didates cannot be made. therefore, un-
IN Friday at the earliest