Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-07-23

lists, for the purpose Of reaching COM
mon plan of action. representative New
lands was temporary chairman, and after
n few speeches and the appointment OF the
usual committees n recess was taken to )
p. M, at which hour William 2. St John,
OF New York, was installed as permanent
chairman and Charles \. Towne of Mime
sofa. as vice chairman. Other committees
made reports. and 4 recess taken to today.
Populists Start Out Very Mildly.
The first session of the Populist conven-
ton was n disappointment TO those who
anticipated relentless, bitter war from the
drop Of the gavcl. and it was disappoint-
mcnt to those who imagined that the gal.
lerics would swarm with people There
was no wildcat fighting. and the galleries,
which will hold 1900 people, were prac-
ticaliy an empty waste. Not over 600
spectators. at liberal estimate, were in
the balconies. The floor, where the dele
gates were gathered, was crowded with
men who came from the farm, the mine,
the workshop and the factory. They dis
cartied conventionalities. Fully half of
them sat in their shirt sleeves with their
coats slung over the backs of their chairs
Men of Strong ard Earnest Convictions.
Among them Were many picturesque
pcrsonaiities-men who have been known
rs agitators and rciormers for years We're
there: but there were also many whose
ability and force of character have given
them rank in high station. AS body
they Were men of strong and earnest con-
victions. Governor Lewellyn, Senator
Pcifer and Jerry Simpson; Governor Hol-
comb, of Nebraska: Ignatius Donnclly;
Cyclone" Davis, Of Texas; Colonel Peak,
OF Georgia; General Coxey and Carl
Browne. OF Ohio, late of the industrial
army; Tom Patterson, of Colorado; ex-
Governor Buchanan, of Tennessee; Gen
cral Weaver, Of Iowa. and General Field,
of Virginia. who We're the Populist can
| didates in 1s!9; Colonel Burkett, of Mis-
sissippi: Buffalo Jones, of Oklahoma.
and Captain Reuben Cobb, of Alabama.
| and many others We're prominent and
! conspicuous figures on the floor.
Several Woman Delegates.
On the platform were Chairman Taube-
neck. Senator Butler, of North Carolina;
| Senator Allen. of Nebraska; Mrs Mary
Ellen Lease, of Kansas, and other dis
| tinguished guests. The appearance of
several women delegates on the floor was
Il novel feature in IA national political
| gathering. The press benches, usually
occupied by the representatives of the big
dailics, We're largely given over to the edi.
tors Of the weekly reform papers. The
decorations Of the Republican convention
still graccd the balconies and hid the
wooden rafters and pillarsewhich upheld
the high roof. All the Republican por-
traits had, however, been removed. Only
| the bust of General Grant remained. Just
| before the convention was called to order
portraits of Abraham lincoln and Peter
Cooper were hung out over the platform
| gallery.
| Middle Gothic Road Men Hold Back.
| The day session, which TASTED an hour
and a half, developed nothing, except pos.
sibly that the middle of-the-road" con
tingent was afraid to put to the touch its
claims. Tuesday night after Senator But.
Ter had been chosen temporary chairman
| by the national committee and the mid
| dle-of-the-road' men had ascertained that
he favored Bryan's nomination they at
once decided to dcpose him, as Hill was
deposed By the Chicago convention. Blu,
they gave this up. and their refusal &c
| submit TO q test OF strength was hailed by
! the Bryan men as conclusive evidence tina,
they realized they where in the minority