The age-herald., 1900-05-10
iEvERAL BIG SPEECHES MADE

While Awaiting Reports from Several
 Committees the Band Played
 Dixie" and the Crowd
 Went Wild
 Sioux Falls, S. b, May 9-The national convention of the Peoples party began busi- ness at 2:2O o'clock today in the big tent wig-wam on the top of the hill on the west ern side of the city of Sioux Falls. There lave been larger crowds in attendance upon national conventions, and possibly there have been questions upon which more en- thusiasm has been manifested, but there have been few similar events which have been marked by more evident sincerity of purpose or more pronounced decorum of behavior It was evident that delegates were there for we'll understood purpose, and that, whatever the purpose it was to be carried into effect
 The big tent was arrayed in full dress att tire for the reception and entertainment of it's guests and the structure proved in every way equal to the service required of it.
 From one end of the huge wig-wam to the other huge streamers were strewn. The center was buried in bunting, while the side supports unheld the coats of arms of the various states. The platform was also literally decorated with the Stars and Stripes, and the r.prights of this structure bore aloof excellent black and white DOT traits of Jefferson, Lincoln and Bryan.
 The weather was ideal in all respects, the sky being entirely cloudless, the air per- fectiy quiet and the temperature all the most exacting could wish. It was conceded that Sioux Falls had made good all her promises of the climate.
 At midnight the situation with reference to the vice presidency was still the para mount question among the delegates and the solution of the problem was apparently as far off as it was when the delegates be- gan to arrive.
 It looks as though the question would be early precipitated upon the convention by a minority report from the committee on credentials against allowing full vote to the Texas delegation This delegation is en- titled, under the rules, to 120 votes, but there Is present only a small number. They favor nominating, and there may be an ef- fort made to reduce their voting strength to conform to the actual number present. The Minnesota delegation held a meeting during the evening, but did not recede from it's former position in Towne's behalf. There is little doubt that there is clear majority in the convention favorable to nominating, and of these MT. Towne is said to now con- trol a majority. The present outlook is fa- vorable to him, but his opponents are very active.
 Five Hundred Delegates Seated
 There were probably 800 delegates in their seats, and surrounding there was fringe of alternates and visitors, numbering 600 to S00 Seats had been provided for a much larger number, but the attendance did not appear meagre, and it may be remarked that what was lost in attendance was com pensated for in enthusiasm From the ar rival of the Minnesota delegation, bearing Bryan and Towne banners, there were out bursts of applause at every convenient opening and upon the least provocation.
 United States Senators Butler and Heit- feldt received liberal greetings, while Sem ator Pettigrew was overwhelmed by the cordiality of the welcome accorded him. There was also generous applause when the name of MT. Bryan was mentioned by the speakers of the day.
 Many sentiments were cheered to the echo and this was notably the case with Governor Lees reference to the Boers and the Filpinos. A liberal supply of good music was furnished by the band of the Fifty-frst Iowa regiment, and it was also applauded The audiance was a represent ative American gathering. Probably nine- tenths of the delegates and a fair per- centage of the visitors were from the north- ern Mississippi valley states. This circum- stance served to give the convention a western look, but the other sections were represented; the west was not allowed to monopolize appearances in the hall. few picturesque characters of the St. Louis convention of 1896 were present, but there were some broad-brimmed hats there from Texas and the southwest. There were also occasional 'whiskers," but even these seemed to have thinned out in the party
 Several Women Delegates
 All told, 1t was we'll dressed, good man. nered and thoroughly well behaved assem- blaze of people. By no means the least noticeable characteristic of the gathering was the presence of a number of women. Colorado led the list in the number of fe male delegates, three being present from that state. They were given front seats. Kansas Idaho and the District of Columbia also sent women delegates, who took their places as If accustomed to participate in ma. tional affairs
 It was but few minutes after 2 o'clock the hour set for the opening of the con- vention when Senator Butler, accom- panied by George Washburn of Massachu- setts, stepped upon the platform at the east end of the hall and took his seat at the speakers desk. It was r minutes af- ter o'clock when his gavel came down with resounding stroke upon his desk and the convention came to order. In the meantime the delegates and alternates had been filing steadily into the hall and seek ing the chairs around the staffs upon which were borne the names of their re- spective states The arrangements were
 Continued on Second Page1