The Athena press. [volume] (Athena, Umatilla County, Or.) 18??-1942, 1896-07-10
1T MAY BE BRYAN
Bland Has a Formidable OPP
ponent in the Him.
A DAY OF ORATORY
Free Silver Platform Adopted
By a Two to One Vote.
A DAY. OF oRAToRY

chicago, July 7.-Wlthin the greatest
auditorium On the American continent,
justly named after the structure dedicated
to posterity by the ancient Romans, and
which has given to the name Coliseum
a significance Of something colossal, the
representatives Of the democracy of the
United States assembled today for the
purpose OF naming to the country those
who will bear the standard of this politi-
cal faith in the approaching campaign.
1t was, perhaps, meet and proper that
what promises to be q remarkable con
vention should be held in remarkable
structure. Imagine span of brick and
iron that rivals any of the gigantic
structures Of the Worlds Fair, with per-
haps the single exception OF the great
Manufactures building located within q
stones throw of the gateways Of that
memorable enclosure; four great walls
spanned by IL gigantic trusses, solid
square of $1,000 chairs; and one has a
birds eye Imagination, as it we're, of the
scene of today. In the center of the
square we're seats for the two thousand
delegates and alternates, ample aisle
space dividing the two rows of chairs and
permitting of access between delegations.
| CONVENTlON VAILED TO ORDER,
1t was 1915 when Chairman Harrity,
| in behalf OF the national committee,
raped the convention to order and intro
duced the divine who had been selected
to pronounce the opening invocation.
He announced that the national COM
mittee had selected Senator Hill for
temporary chairman. At the mention of
Hills name there was an enthusiastic
demonstration and great cheering all over
| the hall.
Fellows Of New York appealed to the
convention not to violate all precedents
and trample on the rights OF majority.
Why" he asked, ''should the conven-
tion be willing to accept all the recon-
mendations OF 8 majority of the national
committee, and then turn down demo.
crat like David B. Hill?"
| Fellows then referred to Cleveland !,
| and at the mention of the presidents
name there was i'm mense cheering which
lasted several minutes, many of the audi
ence being on their feet.
Ladd Of Illinois said If Hill was elected
temporary chairman. and made speech,
be would keep the party explaining until
election.
St. Clair asked that il the silver men
are afraid to have the question discussed
by man like Hill, how will it be when
it is generally discussed outside.
call Of the states was ordered on
motion that the name OF Daniels be sub
stituted for that of Hill, and the official
vote was announced as 554 for, to $40
against; not voting, l.
The announcement oil the vote caused
great cheering throughout the hall.
Hill refrained from voting when New
York, was reached, and when Virginia
was reached Daniels voted no."
A roll OF the states was ordered Tor the
appointment OF committees, and at 4:45
p. N. the convention adjourned until 10
O'Clock tomorrow.
Chicago, July Sat 10a. m. today
oaly about one-third of the delegates had
arrived, but at 1895 the convention was
called to order, and the sergeantat-
arms instructed to allow no one on the
floor except delegates.
White OF California has been chosen
to preside permanently over the con-
yention.
Governor Hogg of Texas was called on
to address the convention. He took the
platform amid cheers and while the band
played Dixie" He advocated friend
linssB of spirit among the delegates in the
convention and hereafter. He predicted
SUCCESS in November If the democratic
party works harmoniously together. He
said, "the people will not tolerate the re-
turn of the republican party to power"
The republican platform was denounced
az n of n,Iif inn al fttao 10
ceiVe the public. He said that repub-
lican corruption fund is being formed for
the purpose of carrying Illinois, Ohio
and other states. He advocated the free
coinage Of silver and denounced the re-
publican financial platform as in the
interest Of foreign nations.
Blackburn OF Kentucky was requested
to address the convention, and he took
The platform amid tremendous cheering
and much confusion. He delivered an
eloquent address and was frequently in
terrupted by plause.
The committee on credentials reported
sgainst the gold delegates from Michigan
and Nebraska. The committee ssk
further time to consider the individual
credentials Ct the Michigan delegates,
but asked that the Bryan delegates from
Nebraska be seated, and motion to that
effect was carried amid much confusion
The order of business adopted by the
rules committee was such that after the
introduction of the permanent presiding
officer, Senator Stephen M. White, of
California, the first business would be
the report OF the credentials committee,
embracing the bitter contests over
Michigan. Then the report Of the plat
form committee next, speeches placing
candidates in nomination, and finally
balloling. The choice OF Senator White
gave general satisfaction, even the gold
men acknowledging his fitness as a pre-
siding officer.
THE MONEY PLANK.
The committee on resolutions adopted
by vote Of 80 to IA the platform as re-
ported by the subcommittee. There
will be minority report on the money
plank. The money plank Of the majority
report Eays, alter denouneing the act Of
1873 and declaring opposition to the
single gold standard:
We demand the immediate restora-
tion Of free and unlimited coinage Of gold