The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1900-07-01
RFPIrRLIC SpECIAL

The political waters are beginning to
swirl. The city shows evidence of 1t in
every direction. It is slowly filling up. The
Gay has been warm, but cloudy, and there
are indications of storm STEADY
stream of politicians is pouring in from the
trains, and the corridors of the hotels are
beginning to present animated appear
ance.
Like Rome, Kansas City is enthroned on
seven or more hills. The muddy Missouri
takes the place Of the Tiber, and Main
street serves as a sort of Appian Way
The music Of the trolley fills the air. Tho
Naturalization of its bells is broken 10y the
footing of the steam whistles and the rum
bling of hacks and drays heavily laden
All is hustle and confusion.
There are few outside decorations, but
many of the rooms occupied by the state
delegations begin to show artistic taste IN
the drapery and enhancement Of national
colors
The Sunfower State takes the lead in
characterization. Its headquarters are an
Oriental dream, yet you listen in vain for
the note of the bufbul or the delicate tread
of the odalisque.
The central rendezvous is the headquar-
tiers of the National Committee. and the
central figure is James *. Jones OF Arhan-
sas, its chairman. Senator Jones has the
face and beard Of Moses. the gracioIsness
of a true politician and the bonhomme OF
an Arkansas Traveller"
He is plain and unpretending. He wears
an alpaca coat, black SLOUGH hat. soft
bosomed white shirt, with three gold studs.
His gray eyes beam with good nature. He
talks rapidly and TO the point, and moves
like piston rod.
Senator Jones has the absolute confidence
Of William J. Bryan. There IS no evidence
as yet that he is not to continue in his
place as chairman of the National Conven-
ton While was calling or him to-day he
read me dispatch sent to 4 Philadelphia
newspaper describing him as in i!l-health
and asserting that he would not attend the
convention. While he is not as athletic as
Senator Allen of Nebraska. as spry as
Senator Hausbrough of North Dakota, he
is fully as sturdy and usually agile as
either
Democratic THupg ii Ynmen.
~ day he called a meeting Of the Demo-
c. &c TsUnG Ii YsmCn. 1t was gathering
OF the subcommittee having in charge the
arrangements for the convention. Among
those present were: Henry Clayton of
Alabama. Charles Y. Walsh OF Iowa. j. q.
johnson of Kansas William J. Stone OF
Missouri. James L. Norris of the District
of Columbia James NJ. Head of Tennessee,
and George Frederick Williams of Massa-
chusettc.
The meeting was harmonious. and 1t is
certain that Convention Hall will he in full
readiness for the convocation of the party
on Independence Day. The intensity how
ever. might be greatly increased If William
]. Bryan himself should appear and read
the Declaration.
There is no trouble In securing rooms here
at a reasonable rate. The committee hav-
ing the matter in charge has hundreds of
apartments, and Is furnishing them TO all
applicants The charge is 50 a day The
corridors of the hotels are fairly active.
Notab1cs Present.
At the Baltimore to-day the tall form OF
James D. Richardson Of Tennessee, the |
Democratic leader In the House OF Rep
Yesentatives. was observed. He was con-
versing glibly with a portly gentleman, |
sraooth-.aced and -eyed-Henry D. |
Clayton, Representative from Alabama In |
another corner. former Governor william I
J. Stone of Missouri. sharp featured ana
sharp eyed. stood in a de9onaire atn.uue
talking with James n. Head. Mayor OF
Nashville ]. L. Norris, delegate from the
District of Columbia, was introducing ms
two sons to the elegant George FREQ VIII
liams of Massachusetts. Il
crowd OF notables filled the room OF
Sergean.-at-Arms Martin, while Soionei
Jacob Rupert, Jr., and Representative
Fitzeerald of Brooklyn sat in the corner,
inviting the attention OF q newspaper artist
In the center of the hall stood Ben Shive-
ly of Indiana. He is OF sturdy build. over |
six feet tall, with d smooth-shaven face
ner. He wore a Light SLOUGH hat with
broad brim. He is far more picturesque
figure than Theodore Roosevelt. He was
the only candidate for the Vice President
to be seen until late in the afternoon
The other candidates arc scattered far
and wide. James Hamilton Lewis anc VIII
liam Sulzer are returning from pilgrimage
to Lincoln, and will be in town Tomorrow.
Augustus Van Wyck arrived here about
o'clock, accompanied BY Harry Walker He
was entertained in St. Louis and Spring
field and scattered seeds OF Democratic
wisdom from the car windows while jour-
neying through Indiana, Illinois and Mis-
souri.
David B. Hill and Frank Campbell are
not expected until tomorrow. Elliot Dan
forth is SAID to accompany them
A Shot MT Mr.. Hill.
The Hill boom appears TO be entirely su-
perficial. Every effort has been made to
enhance its Importance. 1t was even al
legged that Senators Jones and Ferry of |
ARKANSAS We're put to tneir .rnnpS 10 pre-
gates for MIR. Hill This is contradicted In |
the most direct terms by Senator Jones. He
said that such resolution was introduced,
BUT was soon afterwards Withdrawn by the
gentleman who presented it, because II was
received with SO much disfavor.
There is much feeling among the close
friends of Mr.. Bryan with regard to it
One of them to-day boldly asserted that
David B. Hill was the Jesse James Of the
New York Democracy. and that he was en-
titled to no consideration whatever by the
true blues
AS to the platform, 1t would appear that
Mr.. Hill is disposed to be troublesome
There is no doubt that Mr.. Bryap's friends
would be satisfied with positive affrma- |
ton of the Chicago platform, with the ad-
dition of a few planks covering issues that
have arisen since its adoption, provided that
the convention would indorse the nominal
tion of Charles A. Towne Under no condi-
tons will they accept the nomination of
any other Democrat unless he is entirely
lists.
MIR Towne arrived here to-day and was
received by former Representative Hartman
of Montana former Senator Dubois of |
Idaho, and Representative Newlands of Ne
vada- Senator Teller of Colorado is eX-
pected here tomorrow.
All these men are evidently suspicious of
some sinister design on the part OF David
B. Hill.
Waiting for Croker and Murphy.
. The arrival of Richard Croker and former
Senator Murphy is anxiously awaited. When |
they appear political events will begin to
crystalize. Everything is now at sea. There
IS fair wind, but the tide is bad. New
currents will be developed and more sails
spread when the New York delegation pulls
up the center board.
All the outward demonstrations thus far
are in favor of Mr.. Sulzer for Vice Presi-
dent Hack drivers, neTsboys, bartenders
ana union labor men wear Sulzer badges
Suffers prospects.
There is no ground for believing that Mr.
Croker will visit Lincoln until after the con-
venuon. Il is asserted, however, that be-
invited Indirectly by Mr.. Bryan to pay him
2 visit. This invitation is said to have been
MADE through letter written to Mr.. SulSer. |
!, A few o. the Southern and Western nen