Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1900-07-05
DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CON-
VENTION.

| dsm uchItinS SuOh o." o'o"s
a day the democratic national conveu-
ton began its sessions 10 the new cor
vsntion hail ct Kansas City at noon
yesterday, but noting beyond the ac-
tusl work OF organization was accom-
plished, notwithstanding that the con-
yention was in session until 1884 at
night.
u was an inspiring scene upon which
Chairman Jones 10 ked when at noon,
after beating a tattoo with his gavel,
ne stilled the tumult and declared the
convention open. About him were
fully $4,000 persons, rising tier on tier
like the spectators ia some vast coll
scum.
Almost on the tap OF the noon-bell,
| Mr.. Jones babe the convention come
to order. During the prayer visiting
band, so far off in the galleries as not to
know what was going on, broke In
with o lively air. The chaplain went
rio ht on and so did the band. Finally
| be band surrendered.
The address of welcome of the demo-
cratic Mayor OF Kansas City was
couched in regulation Fourth OF July
style.
Three sessions were held-from noon
to 2:30 D. ~, from 4:43 to 4:5l p. M.
and from 1888 to 1874 p. m. At the
last named hour an adjournment Was
taken until 10 so o'clock this morning.
which is equivalent TO 1l:30 according
~ Alexandria time.
The opening session was devoted
chiefly to the selection OF Gov. Charles
s. Thomas, of Colorado, as temporary
chairman, speech by Governor Thorn
81, the reading of the Declaration of In
dependence and the appointment OF
committees. The second session trans =
acted DO important business, as the
commi tees were not ready TO report.
| At the night session all the committees
1 reported except that on resolutions,
which was still debating the platform.
| Congressman James ID. Richardson, OF
Tennessee, was selected ss permanent
chairman and made a speech. Ex-
Gov. John P. Altgeld, OF Illinois, also
spoke. AS the committee on resolu-
tions was not ready to report, the con-
| venlion accomplished little of actual
l business.
The committee on resolutions held a
meeting ana debs.ed the platform In
lively style. Three drafts of the plat
form we're presented. One OF these was
from r. L. Metcall, of Nebraska, and
, was accepted as Mr.. Bryan's expression
upon this question. 1t contained d
| spec fic plank declaring for the free
coinage of silver at 16 to l. Osher pro-
visions in this platform were aimed al
trusts, the protective tariff and the i'm
periallstic policy OF the Mckinley adj
minisiratiOn. Liberty and home gov
eminent were promised to the Filipinos
and sympathy WAS expressed for the
Beers.
The two other platform drafts were
admitted by ex-Judge Augustus Van
| Wyck, of New York, and IL. F. Gar
rard, of Georgia, respectively. They
did not differ materially from the Bryan
platform, except that they contained
| merely o reaiirmation OF the Chicago
platform without specific mention OF l6
d.
The committee soon plunged into
debate. Senator John w. Daniel, Of
Virginia, and W. d. Daily, of New Jer.
sey, spoke against 10 10 plank. J.
h. FITZGERALD, OF Colorado, and George
Fred Williams, OF Massachusetts, spoke
| Tor 16 10 l. There we're several other
speakers.
The convention was marked by scenes
of extraordinary enthusiasm. There
! were two notable demonstrations. OGe,
an ovation to ex-senator David B. Hill,
| of New York, lasted 20 minutes in the
afternoon. The other came at night,
when Permanent Chairman Richardson
mentioned Hon. William J. Brysn's
name. It lasted 80 minutes.
The tendency last night was toward
Adlai E. Stevenson, OF Illinois, for the
democratic nomination for Vice Presi-
dent. Ex-senator Hill could get the
| nomination, it is believed, If he would
accept, but be says firmly that be will
| not do so. The booms OF CHARLES A.
Towne and William Sulzer seem to be
declining.
Delegates from some of the strongest
democratic States have from the begin
ming expressed not only a Willingness
but desire to modify the silver plank
if only Mr.. Bryan would give his con-
sent. Maryland, Virginia, Georgia and
Alabama are among these. Great
states in the central northwest speak
through their delegates to the same
effect. Senator Daniel, of Virgins
Governor McMillin, of Tennessee, and
other leaders are said TO fear that dis
sster will overtake the party II the ex-
treme silver men have their way.
The committee on credentials made
quick work with the contests. The
only hearing given was to the District
OF Columbia, and the committee de-
cided to admit both delegations with
half vote each.
The greatest interest conferred on the
Montana case. AS soon as it was call
cd a motion was made to ratify the &C.
ton of the national Committee and seat
the Clark delegation. A substitute to
give each side hearing was defeated
by vote of SO to 10, and the Clark
delegation was seated without division.
The Virginia delegation made these
selections: Honorary vice president.
B. F. Buchanan, Of Smytb; honorary
secretary, Joseph Button; chairman,
Jude c. NJ. White; credentials, II. G.
Buchanan; permanent orgs niz alton,
Judge ]. f. West; rules, E. E. Mopts-
que; resolutions, Senator J. w. Daniel;
member national committee, Peter J.
Otey; notification of president, p. II.
OBsnnOn, of Rappahannock, close
kinsmsn of Mr.. Bryan; notification OF
vice president, Pannill Rucker, OF Hen
ry. c. NJ. Cuvillier, of Alexandria, and
Captain J. A. Mcintyre were designated
as slterDates from the Eighth district
in the absence OF the regular slternstes. |
Mr.. Bryan, Tuesday, in a converse.
ton at his home in Lincoln, Neb.. with