The Indianapolis journal., 1898-01-26
IOWA'S FINE DELEGATION
THIS AGRICULTURAL STATE SENDS
THE BANNER CROWD.
Indiana's Executive Also Makes n
Speech-Executive Committees Re-
port--An Enthusiastic Gathering.

Hanna. chairman of the executive commit
tee, called for order he saw before him
as fine body of citizens as ever before
assembled in the country This is the iudg-
ment of many who have attended numerous
conventions in the past. It was comprised
of the cream of the commercial world
captains of industry prices of trade, ener-
getic, capable men of affairs, who have
made the country great. 1t would be diff
cult to bring together more representa-
tive American gathering or one more ex-
pressive of the highest national characters
tics Intelligence, courage and indomitable
will were depicted upon the faces of these
men, and their erect bearing was indica-
tive of that independence which freedom
nourishes.
In number there were over 400 who wore
the red badge of the conference. They oc-
cupied the whole lower floor of the opera
house, exclusive Of the boxes. The dele
cations from eaeh State sat together and
their several locations were marked by
standards that stood like a cluster of
pixies the inscriptions on which told of the
national character of the convention, These
standards showed that the two banner del
egations, those of Iowa and New York,
occupied the tiers OF seats nearest the stage.
District of Columbia, Georgia. kentucky,
Maryland, Maine, Washington, Utah, Penn
sylvania. North Carolina, Minnesota, Wis
consin, Tennessee. Alabama, California Ne
braska, New Jersey Massachusetts, In
diana, Mississippi, Texas, Kansas, Rhode
Island and others. No part of the country
was unrepresented-the so-called silver
States were there as well as those rock
rih in fbQ Of
LARGER THAN FIRST CONVENTION.
1T is larger gathering than the one
last year. was the comment frequently ex-
pressed. A fair estimate seemed to place
the attendance as being 100 larger than at
the first meeting of the conference. More
States were represented and the delegations
from a numbe showed a very gratifying
increase. Generally speaking, the same
men that attended last year were present at
this meeting. Tat he absence of a few who
were conspicuous a year ago was notice
able. Representative Walker, of Massachu-
setts, who played such a stirring part in the
memorable debate at Tomlinson Hall, was
not there, nor Representative Fowler, of
New Jersey, who also participated in that
debate. The stalwart form of the Pacific
coast orator, J. p. Irish. was also missed,
and the absence of M. Il. ingalls, seemed
to leave a gap that might be hard to fill.
The most of these absentees found it impos-
sible to attend, but their places were more
than filled by others who were not present
a year ago. There were but few politicians
in the gathering. Representative Overstreet
seemed to be the only congressman present.
Ex-senator George f. Edmunds, the presi-
dent of the commission, was kept away
by the growing infrmity of age that made
a long journey in such weather an ill-ad-
vised step. Ex-Mayor Strong, of New
York. who also missing, was compelled
to abandon the trip at the last moment, but
his place was taken by James Speyer, one
of the most conspicuous men in the gath
ering.
BANKERS IN MINORITY.
A survey of the conference showed it to
be composed this year almost wholly of
business men who are back of these great
commercial and manufacturing interests.
The bankers are well represented, but their
number is far exceeded by men in the
wholesale and jobbing trade, by those en-
gagged in foreign commerce and by manu-
facturers and the heads of great enter
prises Of all kinds. The farming communi-
ty was also well represented and notably
so among the Western delegates.
This gathering of the business blood of
the Nation had convened for a patriotic
purpose that of bringing stability and hon
or out of the chaotic condition of the Ma
tion's financial system. 1t was peculiarly
appropriate, therefore, that the opera house
should be draped with many flags and that
the golden national eagle should be promi-
nently displayed. Much taste had been ex-
ercised in the arrangement of these dec
orations and with the flags and palms, the
appearance of the house was very pleasing.
The press arrangements were also adequate.
The admission was by ticket, and the
boxes and the two galleries were filled by
an appreciative and fine-looking audience.
Many ladies could be seen in the boxes,
as we'll as the leading business men of the
city, In all there were about fifteen hun
dred in the house, and they listened atten-
lively to the speeches and frequently ap-
plauded
When Chairman Hanna arose to call the
conference to order he was greeted by the
delegates with great applause. He declared
the body to be in session in a simple, dig
nified manner, and called upon Rev. M. l..
Haines, pastor of the First Presbyterian
Church, to make the Invocation.
DIR. HAINES'S PRAYER
DR.. Haines, in an earnest voice, offered
the following prayer:
almighty God our Creator our heavenly
Father, help us TO realize unto whose pres
ence we now come, and before whose throne
of wisdom and of grace we bow ourselves
With reverent and with thankful hearts we
adore Thee as the giver of every good and
perfect gift and the fountain of all those
blessings by which our lives are now en-
riched. Open Thou the eyes of our under
standing that may see in these blessings
the evidence of Thy bountiful care Thou
God of Nations, citizens of this Nation
We address Thee for Thy provident good
ness and loving kindness. Thou hast done
great things for us whenever we called
Our fathers looked unto Thee and were
lightened. Thou didst enable them to lay
deep and strong the foundations of our ma
tional fabric, and we recognize with grati-
tude Thy care over US in all the years of
our history since then. O God of our faith
ers be Thou our God, and let Thy benedic-
ticn rest upon Thy servants here gathered
from all parts of this land Qualify Them
we beseech Thee, to meet the problems that
now rest upon them Grant unto them the
spirit of power and of sound mind Lift
them above all narrowness OF vision. Be
stow upon them such loftiness of patriotism
and such largeness OF wisdom that the re-
suit OF their deliberations may be of price
less value 10 all our citizenship. May there
go out from this conference influences that
shall build up, in yet nobler way, our insti-