The Roanoke times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1897-1977, 1897-08-15


Entirel1 any Far earnest man we win mail copy
ERIE MEDICAL CO.. 81 sts s9a2seS \. 81 ::
est, nice looking little man, and began to
@atch eagerly for chance to get in my
motlon. There seems that there was
nothing especial before the body, as they
were waiting for the committee ON Gre
dentials to report. Suddenly somebody
right behind us yelled out "6wanson!
S S:E, The little, thin man by my
side jumped as If he'd been shot. ooh.
Lord" he groaned, "I knew itr
Then the whole house took up the cry
swanson! Swanson" everybody yelled
SO the little man at my side buttoned his
coat and advanced to the stage, and tell
you he made fine speech He began ty
telling joke about Congressman Bailey,
which brought down the house. While
he was speaking a man right behind me
leaned over and whispered in my ear:
u say, youngster, when Swanson gets
through you yell Marshalln
So when Mr.. Swanson stopped and the
applause died away, yelled at the TOP
OF my voice, "Marshalli Marshallr'
The house took it up and the man who
had whispered to me now advanced to
the platform. He winked mt me as he
passed. This was an eye opener.
Three cheers for Cyclone JIM" said
some one. and they were wildly given.
| Cyclone.J Jim has IL voice like one of those
big brass horns when the valve sticks,
so everybody heard his clear and humor-
GUS remarks. AS he closed he was heart
lily applauded. At this jnncture four or
i've men jumped up. ,'Mr. Chairman!
Mr.. Chairman"
| The chair recognizes the gentlemen
from Richmond city," said Mr.. Saun-
| ders
'In my city, Mr.. Chairman, we have
never head "A Hot Time in the Old
Town.ro night. So / move tina. the
band play this now famous musical com
| position"
Vociferous applause greeted this
learned remark of the Richmond dele
gate, 50 the band at once began to play.
AS the music ceased some man, related,
we imagine, to Mr.. Letcher, arose and
began lengthy, tiresome and TEDIOUS
discourse about something or other, we
couldn't discover what He grew red in
the face and beat the air violently, as if
some imaginary foe was the recipient of
his blows. Ills voice grew hoarse, but
he raved ali the more. His body swayed
back aud forth and his eyes bulged forth
In magnificent oratorical splendor His
hair kept bobbing up and dow serenely
in lovely time to the tin on
of his bell-like voice, so discordantly out
| of tune.
Somebody finally yelled "time" or
"tie him, l couldn't tell which,
f,5This had no effect. Then somebody said.
put him Out"'" The whole house grew
into confusion and his lips were seen to
he moving, but that was all. No sound
could be heard He soon collapsed, fall
ing.into the arms of a sympathetic Can
didate, and muttering:
Damn them Democrats. I wouldn't
join them to save their lives"
He was Populist.
At this juncture the people on the stage
began to rise and cheer. They waved
canes, hats and umbrellas, and were
eagerly looking toward the right of the
platform. The band began to play s'Hail
TO the Chief The people all over the
house caught the enthusiasm and gave
vent to loud cheers and yells The scene
was indeed inspiring and one never to be
forgotten. l soon discovered the cause.
The whole convention was rising as one
man and giving my..--friend, the major, "a
| most enthusiastic welcome. The major
stepped out on the stage and the applause
was deafening. He held up his hand and
in moment the silence was intense.
| Then we heard that soft, musical voice,
yet clear as bell, that has so often been
raised in defense of right and truth, and
we recognized that we were listening to
one of the worlds greatest orators, the
Hon. John w. Daniel.
| thought after he had finished every.
body would be in a good humor and it
would be n suitable time for me to get in
| my motion. So when he stoned I
jumped upand shouted "Mr Chairman:n
at least tried to shout, but was aston
ished to find that could hardly make q
sound and my knees were weakening
rapidly man in f, ont of me with a
great big voice had gotten up and while
was trying to get my tongue to work,
was recognized. He made one of those
oratorical efforts which consisted more in
sound than in sense, and reminds one of
mock tragedy. His peroration was a
magnificent flight, ending with, "and 1
say unto you, fellow Democrats, in the
words of the greatest poet of our oil 4 COM
monwealth, sic semper Tyrannis,' or let
| not the sun go down on thy w~ath.''
My courage was fast oozing away, and
the cigar that was continually putting
was having q disastrous effect L re.
solved, however, manfully, that would
not be downed. So when the man who
had been last recognized was closing /
stood up on my chair and clutched my
cane firmly. resolved thatsthis time would
be heard. AS he sat down 1 shouted
Mr.. Chairman" and hit with all nv
strength down on the seat in front with
my cane to attract attention. Tie effect
was entirely unexpected
Instead of hitting the chair, as in
tended, the cane came down with fright
fu' force on the bald head of brawny
blacksmith directly in front. He roared
like an enraged lion and jumped at me.
You little whipper-snapper, what do
you mean" said he, grabbing me by the