Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1900-07-06


the leader who is about to be placed in
nomination. and then for that other cham
pion of democracy, David b. Hill. But in
actual accomplishment the days work is |
confined to organization with the speeches |
of temporary chairman, Gov Thomas, of |
Colorado, and Permanent Chairman Hon.
James d. Richardson the appointment of
the various committees and the detailed
preparations for the more serious work
yet in store.
Struggle in Progress.
Outside of the formal proceedings of
the day, interest has centered in the ac-
tion of the platform committee. AS the
evening advanced it became known that
q determined struggle was in progress,
Involving not only the question of incor-
porating a specific sixteen to one dec
laration in the party declaration but to
some extent involving the desires of the
prospective nominee as to the terms of
the platform. The outcome is awaited
with absorbing interest as the chief devel-
opment of to-day.
A Great Attendance.
AS the hour of noon approached the time
at which the convention was to be called
to order, people poured into the hall in liv
ing streams. With confusion comparative
ly slight the immense coneourse was
seated. Before the hour of noon was
reached nearly every delegate was seated,
and the 1000 seats in the hall We're filled.
Convention Opened.
At exactly 1902 Chairman Jones ascended
the platform and called the body to order.
The first business of the convention was
the reading of the formal call, by Secre-
tary Walsh. Chairman Jones announced
the prayer by Rev. S. w. Neel. Following
the prayer came an address of welcome by
Mayor Reed of Kansas City. The dele
gates and spectators listened with atten-
ton, but no very great enthusiasm to the
address, but heartily applauded the closing
sentence. Senator Hill entered just at this
moment and the applause turned to him.
Cheers for Hill.
chill, OF New York. Hill" Hill
they shouted. But it was noticed that the
New York delegation did not respond tC
the enthusiasm. Hill came in with Elliott
Danforth, of New York, and stopped a,
the row. Delegate John Mcmahon, OF
senator Hill smiled and thanked him
Meanwhile the crowd continued to yell for
Hill" Lets hear HILL with fe"
Misses interspersed until the chairman
finally raped them to order. A few min
utes later they renewed the call, but the
audience was impatient to get on with the
proceedings, and showed their disapproyal
with Kisses
Gov. Thomas Speaks.
When finally the chairman was able to
make his voice heard he introduced Gov
Thomas, OF Colorado, the temporary chair
man. A round of applause greeted Gov
Thomas as he assembled the platform III,
looked the ideal presiding officer, tall, dig
nified black-garbed. his face showing in
tellectuality and force of character. H
held in his hand the typewriter manu-
script of his speech, and in full, round yoic,
easily reaching to the Eemotest corners o
the building, he began his address as tenn
porary chairman
His severe arrangement of the zen
trenched enemy" drew ripple of applause
and as he proceeded his well-rourded sen
fences We're punctuated with generous an
hearty manifestations of approval De
spite his strong voice, the confusion in tn
hall became so great that much of tn
speech was lost to the delegates and spec
tators. An incessant hum sounded through
the building, mingled with the rustic o
thousands of fans, the shuttle of counties
feet of messengers and officials and tn
occasional yell of some demonstrativ
spectator. The audience grew fretfu un
der the disorder. and the inability to hear
and there were shouts of Louder" mingled
with demands for order. Gov. Thomas pro
ceeded boldly. however, and when aboy
the racket he was beard TO exclaim .'Sout
Africa" the crowd caught the idea that h
of enthusiastic approval went up. Their
was another cheer when the crowd caugh
enough of the reference to isthmian cana
TO know that ii was to be under America
operation and control At the concusio
of the speech, the building rang with ar
plause, the cheering being accompanie
by the flutter of the national color
throughout the hall ----....