The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1896-07-23
OPENING SESSION
or the Popullst tConventlom-Butler So
lected ns Temporary Chairman.


ST. LOUIS. July 22-The hall In
which the Populists met was the same
In which the Republican national con-
vcntion was held last month. There
were the same arrangements as to seats.
The state delegations were located in
the pit each marked by a guidon. The
galleries reared themselves above the
pit on all sides. The platform In frlnt
was flanked by the press benches. The
decorations were not elaborate.
They were practically the same as
those Of the Republican convention. The
bunting that swathed the front OF the
galleries had been taken down and some
OF the flags that few from the roof
were faded and weather beaten. There
was not a picture in the hall. The only
counterfeit presentation within the
building was large bust OF General
Grant, which faced the platform across
the heads OF the delegates 1t occupied
the same position In the Republican
convention. The speakers stand had not
been placed on the platform an hour be-
fore the hour for converting. The dele
gates began to straggle In before 10
o'clock, but the spectators were slow In
arriving. When the pit was half filled
there were not more than 200 people IN
the galleries. In this respect the usual
order of things at conventions OF the
old parties was reversed. Among the
first to arrive here were the Kansas DEL
egations with long yellow ribbons on
their hearts and many OF them with
sun flowers in their lapels.
There were several women delegates
on the floor, among them Mrs. J. o. A.
Bush, OF Prescott, Ariz.: Mrs. Jennie B.
Atherhold, and Mrs. lies. OF Colorado.
Senator Allen received the first personal
ovation. The Texas delegation grew
demonstrative. A woman passed with a
Middle OF the Road" streamer pinned
to her gown and they cheered wildly.
She waved her handkerchief in response
and the enthusiastic Texans crowded
about 70 shake her hand. She proved TO
be Mrs. Jones. of Chicago. Then a
Lone Star" delegate mounted chair
and read number of telegrams from
Texas Popullsts admon!shlng them to
keep in the Middle OF the Road and bolt
II necessary.
Stewart Ashby, one OF the delegates.
also made a speech and It looked as II
Texas Intended to hold a little conven-
tion all by herself. General Weaver,
the last Populist candidate for President
and Senator PETER came together. Paul
Vandervoort, OF Nebraska. the most
prominent candidate Of the Middle OF the
Road men for President. took one Of the
seats on the platform reserved for dis
tinguishcd guests. On his coat he wore
the badge OF his faction. Shortly before
IL o'clock the charman's table,
pitcher OF water and an oak gavel were
carried to the platform. The M!ssIsSlp-
pi delegation marched down the aisle
with banners bearing the slogan No
compromise"
There was an answering yell Of JOY
from the Texas delegation as they rec
ognlzcd their allies. About this time
some one nailed a portrait OF Peter
Cooper above the speakers stand. Be-
low It were the words National pros
nerlty cannot be restored by the en-
forced idleneSs Of 4 large portion OF our
people" The portrait did not seem 10 be
recognized, at least IL was not applaud
ed.
At 12:l5 Senator Butler. of North Car.
olIna, mounted the platform and took
his seat. About him were Cyclone"
Davis. OF Texas. Secretary Turner. OF
Washington. D. c., and some members
Of the national committee. Three min.
utes later Chairman Taubenrck OF the
executive committee took his seat at the
front OF the platform, Senators Allen
and PETER We're cheered rs they ascend
cd the stage. AZ this time, while every
seat on the iioor was taken, the galleries
were practically empty. There were
over 1000 delegates and attendants IN
the pit. but by a liberal estimate not
over COO spectators in the galleries.
convention Called to Order. h.
At 12:37 Chairman Taubcneck stepped
to the front Of the platform to call the
convention Ia order, At sight pf him
the Illinois delegation which sat Imme-
dIately below the platform, rose up ami
chcered. Quiet came with the first rap
of the savel Tho Rev. w. l. Smith, or
the Third Baptist church of this city,
delivered the Invocation.
MIR. Taubeneck's Ii tu. gAvcl again
descended upon the conclusion OF the
prayer. There was some surprise when
the chairman introduced Governor
Stone, OF Missouri. but whatever ap-
preheuSlonS might have been raised
were speedily removed by the announce
mcnt TINT the governor was merely ex-
peotcd to make Il Welcoming address.
MIR. Stone did not speak at great
length.
lsnatlus Donnelly, OF Minnesota, re.
spondrd to Governor Stones speech
His appearance reused the Middle OF tho
Road element to Il burst OF en-
thusiRsm. Mr.. Donnclly spoke grace.
fully, paying "a high compliment to st,
Louis, and clooucntly describing the
majestic Mississippi and the country
tributary to II. but avoiding adroitlA
amy alluslon TO the subject upon which
tho delegates below him were divided,
There were more Middle OF the RoaN
cheers when Mr.. Dcnnelly finished,
NI,s To- 7 .