The Topeka state journal., 1897-02-20
THE JAM AT THE STATE HOUSE
A Great Struggle to Get in to Hear
Bvran.

An invitation from the legislature which
tive Rothweiler Of Rush sip county. m TYP brought
Mr.: Bryan to Topeka. The fact that The
demonstrations was clearly perceptible
among the members of the majorities of
Doth houses. They were inclined to
from that responsibility.
Although merely a spectator in the leg
islature, Representative John Seaton
Rep), made an effort, late yesterday
afternoon, to secure the adoption of a
chairs should be removed from Represen-
tative hall to accommodate the people.
niture should remain intact. This meet
ing is to be a joint session of the legisla-
joint session.
tee had exceeded its authority and takcn
action of which the house has not been
committee had been selected and instruct
ed to invite Mr.. Bryan. but had no au-
thority TO proceed further Mr.. Seaton's
Mr. LobdeH and Mr.. McKeever on the Re
publican side and Mr. Rothweiler on the
other The republicans announced their
Willingness to accept the work which had
been done by the committee. When the
vote was taken on Mr.. SeatOn's resolution
his was the only one in favor of it.
Last night at Z o'clock the two houses
met in regular session. The joint session
convened at 1920. Speaker Street, Speaker
Pro TEN Weilep sitting by his side. yield
vey who presided. 1t was first suggested
that Ed Little introduce Mr.. Bryan. but
the legislators resented this effort on the
part of the committee believing that the
presiding officer of the senate was en-
titled to the honor of performing that
duty especially at a joint legislative ses
sion. This condition necesstated a change
in the arrangements about which the pub
lie has been fully informed.
Since the Fall Festival Topeka has not
experienced such a crush of people. 1T
early supper and Immediately started for
Representative or Hamilton hall. Sur
clamoring for admittance long before the
doors were opened In the state house
jammed at few moments past O. o'clock.
People fairly trampIed over each other in
hall The stairways were guarded by a
dozen men each. but the unruly crowd at
1t was uphill work. however. and the
guards succeeded in keeping the people
Thirteen hundred chairs were place in
Representative hall. The large number of
people standing in the aisles and around
the walls made an aggregate of between
1.500 and 2.000 The galleries were crowd
ed almost to sufcocafion-
When the crowd came pouring into the
hall and appropriated seats reserved for
legislators and state officers. Speaker
looks like 300 400 tickets of which the
committee had no knowledge had been is
sued for the people this evening" Nv
7:30 the crowd was seated. A few mo.
piring. Some one yeIIed ssBrvan Tbs
cry was taken up in all parts of the
house and continued for brief interval
A practical joker in the gallery Whooped
There he is, whereat the people craned
their necks and stood up in their seats in
mad haste to catch glimpse of the
famed Nebraskan. Mr.. Harvey then an
nounced that Mr.. Bryan was a. supper
and would not arrive for a few moments.
Someone called for Con greSsman w D
Vincent of Clay Center, but he remained
quietly in his seat. Jerry Simpson was
induced, by continued calling. to appear,
launching at once upon a speech. which
ended abruptly upon the arrival of Mr.
Bryan, accompanied by Representatives
MeKeever of Topeka. Barkley of Elk and
Senator Harris, who had been delegated
to escort the speaker to the hall. They
were accompanied also by Mayor Eel
lows.
Mr.. Bryan went to his seat behind the
clerks desk with the air of a man who
was prepared for the duty which he was
expected to perform. He Immediately re-
moved his overcoat and sat down. Mr
Harvey, briefly, thanked Mr.. Bryan for
coming to Topeka, and spoke few words
of pleasant Introduction. The speaker of
the evening was given an ovation when
he entered the hall, but the applause was
very brief when he arose to speak Mr..
Bryan's bearing did not permit it Every
moment indicated that he was anxious to