Birmingham state herald., 1896-07-25

obvious knowledge of the grave import of the telegrams which had passed be- tween Senator Jones and MT. Bryan, es- eended the platform and in earnest tones stated that the gravity of the situation was such as to require that each delega- tion should have an opportunity to con suit
 This suggestion was received with loud cries of no" Then General Weaver made another proposition that one vote should be taken and then an adjourn ment taken until tomorrow. This was also howled down and the chairman took hand. He said the leaders of the party had been driven away from the platform and he asked if there was enough patriotism and decency in the gentle men on the floor and in the galleries to accord respectful hearing to any one.
 The audience, shamed into silence, quieted down, but the hour of midnight being now past, all further attempt at remonstrance was abandoned and the convention rushed on.
 The voting for vice president began at 12:10 a. m. The roll was completed at 1925. Then MT. Burkitt of Mississippi took the stand to withdraw his name and to ask his friends to change their votes to other candidates. MT Mimms of Tennessee next took the stand and asked his friends to cast their votes for Watson, adding: T release them from all obligation to me-"
 
 egates almost tumbled over one another to change their votes to Watson, who soon had enough to insure a nomination, though the whole proceedings were so irregularly conducted that the clerks could not make record. Finally Texas changed 10S to Watson and that set tied it.
 A motion was made to suspend the rules and make MT. Watson the unani- nous choice of the convention. As soon as this had been done the lights went out The hall remained in almost total darkness, except for candles, which the reporters supplied. The band struck up and the sergeant -at-arms inplored the great audience not to stampede. A horrible din rose in the darkness and the repeater" va.ny shouted "eome to order"
 At 1:16 o'clock the electric lights gave out a feeble glimmer again, which slow ly increased until faces were dimly vis- ible. The chair announced that MT. Watson had been declared the unani- nous nominee for vice president. Then the electric lights became once more fairly brilliant and the candles were blown out.
 General Weaver again tried to get the convention to adjourn, but was cried down!> The chairman announced that the next order of business was the selec- tion of national committee. The con- vention refused to accept that and the chair retorted: "Thats your order of business, anyhow He put the motion to adjourn and declared it carried, and at 12:50 a. m. the convention adjourned until tomorrow at a. m.
 Before the convention adjourned the purpoFt of the message from MT. Bryan became known among the leaders. Gov ernor Stone of Missouri, General Weaver and MT Patterson of Denver held con- ference, but without result. Subsequent ly Governor Stone said he did not believe MT. Bryans name would be presented to the convention. He could not, he said, possibly see how Mr Bryan could ever consider nomination after the action of the convention in nomlna ting MT. Wat son for vice president The leaders of the populists are all at sea, but among those who have been contending for MT. Sewalls nomination the telegram brings a ray of hope, for they belive it will force the convention to reconsider its action and indorse the straight democratic tick et There appears, however, to be no probability of this being done.