The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-07-09
HILL GETS CHEERS.
Supports the Minority Report
In an AdrOit Speech.
VIII Be Three Hours Debate
on the Platform.

Chicago, July 9-As the doors to the
mammoth Coliseum in Jackson park
We're thrown open this morning and the
black streams of people welled up
through the entrances and broke like a
cascade over the galleries, the band
struck up 'Massa's in the cold, cold
ground" Yesterday there was enough
fighting to surfeit the craving of the
crowds. but only the pickets were driv-
en- in; only the outposts were captured.
Today, which many believed would be
the last day of the convention, the
main citadel was to be stormed- The
ultra silver cohorts, jubilant and conf
dent, were in control. The minority
doomed to defeat as certainly as that
brave band of Texans who fought and
fell to the last man at Alamo, came
with their loins girded for the death
struggle. Rebellion hung like a pail
above the convention and twenty thou
sand people ranged the sloping hills
that overlooked the arena to watch the
battle.
The managers of the several candi-
dates were marshalling their forces.
Bland got the first demonstration with
a band at the head of several hundred
of his boomers who circled the CALLER
les. The band played a succession Of
stirring airs as the clans and the
crowds gathered. A descriptive piece
The Worlds Fair created much
amusement.
Before the convention was called to
order. rumors of men who had bOlted
and others who would bolt were flying
about. It was known that CleveIand's
ex-postmaster general, VIM. S. Bissell
Of Buffalo had gone home. It was also
said that Perry Belmont and Tam
fnany's spokesman of the last con-
gress, General Tracy of Albany, would
quietly relinquish their seats to altern-
ates- Delaney Nicon of New York,
McDeTmott of New Jersey, and several
New England delegates were other
rumored boilers. Delegate Hamilton
Of Massachusetts, said he did not think
the Bay state delegation would walk
out, but that it would refuse to vote
after the platform was adopted
WHITE WEARS A PINK SHIRT.
Senator White, the permanent chair
man, appeared on the stage at 1O:4O. He
wore a pink shirt and gay blue string
tie. He was so hOarse, however, that
he could hardly speak above a whisper.
An effort to produce a BOies demOnstra-
ton when the Iowa delegation entered
with huge Boies banner was a fail
ure. At 1852 Chairman White dropped
the gaveI- The indescribable buzz of
thousands of voices gradually subsided
and the delegates took their seats.
The New York delegation, headed by
Senator Hiu and ex-Secretary Whit
ney, were in their places. The bulky
form of Bdssen of Buffalo was absent
At minutes before Il o'clock Rev DR.
Green Of Cedar Rapids, Ia, the Episco-
PAL clergyman, who had made the open
ing prayer on yesterday, again rose for
the same office. He prayed that the
choice of the convention might be
man whose work Would rebound to the
glory of his country and his God.
PRAYS FOR A GOOD MAN.
The prayer follows: I'VE thank thee
Almighty God, for the blessing of the
day that Thou hast given US At its
very beginning we pray that we may be
true to its responsibilities and brave
for its duties. Especially grant thy
blessing to these thy servants who
face this day the great responsibilities
and duties of this convention. As they
shall make their declaration of princi-
pies, may they set forth these truths
that shall be founded upon the eternal
principles of truth and justice and that
may rebound 40r the benefit of all the
people anu AIle upI1IIlnS OF humanity.
And as they shall designate him
who shall be their candidate fer the
chief magistracy of this great nation.
guide thou their minds and their voices.
May they choose man OF clean hands
and pure heart whose aims shall be
his country, his God, and who may live
that mankind by his virtues may be
lifted nearer to heaven and so may
the angels of peace and prosperity bless
this land and may thy kingdom come
IN all our hearts through the blessed
gospel of Jesus Christ, to whom with
the Father and the Holy Ghost be as
cribed all glory for now and forever
more. Amen"
RICHARDSON TAKES THE GAvEL,.
When the prayer was concluded. Sen
ator White handed the gavel over to
Congressman Richardson of Tennessee.
tall slender man with a gray nous
taehe and scholarly stoop of the should
@rs, who announced that the committee
on resolutions was ready to report and
called to the platform Senator Jones