The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-07-22

opening OF the two National conventions
broke clear and bright, in striking con-
trast with the dark, gloomy and drip
ping skies which have been like shadow
over the preliminary days Of the conven-
tiop. The heavens were azure blue,
studded here and there with wads OF cot
ton clouds. The Populist crowds were
abroad early, regaling themselves in the
bright sunshine. The only drawback to
an otherwise perfect day was the rising
temperature which promised torrid heat
ere old sol crossed the meridian. The
crowds In the corridors of tho hotels
where the headquarters of the various
factions are located were uense and
noisy, but there was striking absence OF
the brass bands, whicn at the conyen-
tions of the Old parties woke the air With
their clash and clamo..
Before 10 o'clock the crowds and dele
gates began moving in steady streams
toward the convention hall. Bryan and
the "Middle OF the Road" factions were
girded foi the fray and both claimed the
victory. The first test OF strength was
eagerly looked forward 10, as ii would
prove which WAS IN the majority.
So far as the silver convention was con-
cerned there was little or no public in
tercst IN ii. The attenton OF the public
WIS Hll lOE tnS AL
though the 'midalc OF the road" men
wero very much incensed last night ct
the statement OF Senator Butler of North
Carolina, who wfs selected for temporary
chairman bv the national committee, that
he was in favor of Bryan's nominal ion,
conditionally, they had not decided, up
to a. m, whether or not they would
fight the selection on the dVor.
The "middie of the road" men later
decided TO place o. ID. Jones of Missouri
In nomination for Temporary chairman
against Senator Marion Butter, who has
been selected by the national COMMITTEES.
The "middle of the road" men have
not held any formal meeting, but that
agreement was req ached among the few
leaders who gathered this morning.
The "middle of the road men" are not
to be frightened by the threat that
Jones Is not delegate, and claim that
any man can be chose for chairman.
II was also announced early today
that a definite agreement had been
reached to place Haul Vandervort OF
Nebraska In nomiation in opposition
TO Bryan. Vandervort has consented to
run before the convention and says he
will give them all the fight he has in him.
The "middle OF :he road men" are not
well organized, and they have no definite
idea of their strength on the temporary
chairman,hip or on the nomination of
candidates.
The hall in which the Populists met
was the same in which the late Repu oli-
can convention was held last month.
IT ere were the same arrangements as to
seats. The state del cations were located
In the pit. each marked by a guidon.
No faces of the POI ulistic idols graced
IT'S walls. The oaly counterfeit presen-
tattoo within the building was large
bust OF General Grant. which faced the
platform across the heads OF the dele
gates. IL occupied the same position in
the Republican convention. The speak
ers' stand had not been placed on the
platform an hour before tho hour for
convening. ! he delegates began TO strag-
gle In before 10 O'Clock, but the specta-
tors were slow In arriving. When the pit
was half lied there were not zoo peo-
plo IN the galleries.
The general concensus OF opinion
among the delcagtes congragted at tho
Populltst convnotion hall before the con-
vention was CALLED to order today was
that there had been rapid growth OF
sentiment since ye te DAY favorable TO
the compromise idea VI nomintlng Bryan
and putting another man on the ticket
with him for the vice presidency. Tne
prediction was freely made on all hands
that such would bo tho outcome OF the
convention, and there can be no doubt
that opinion is rapidly crystallizing in
direction.
Although some of the delegates have
been very noisy during tho preliminary
tkirrmishes before the convention, they
were very quiet while embling. The
band stationed above the speakers stand
kept up constant fusllade OF popular
Hits. The first thing TO wake them from
thor lethsrgy was the action OF assistant
sc-reaut-at-sTms, when he hung n por-
trait o. Lincoln over one of the front
gaIerlcs. The delegates applnuded and
s,me shouted for three cheers, which
were given. The delegates then became
more domonstrative aud cheered the
bands playing OF COLUMBIA"
At 1881 O'Clock the chairman Of tho
national committee. Mr.. Tsubcneck
stepped To the front-of the platfor and
Fapped the convection TO ODER After
prayer, Governor Stone was introduced
and made a speech OF welcome.
lie was followed by Ignatius Donneliy
of Mibnesota who, In conclusior. urgeed
the convention TO stand tcgCthos. "God
forbid" he added that / should be here
attending the funeral OF the Peoples
Jariy.
Jno chairman of the national commit
tee then introduced Senator Marion But
Ter OF North Carolina az temporary
chairman, end in spite OF the fact that
~Se middle OF the road mer" mad