The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-07-06

son of the adoption of the platform was
followed by stunning shout which made
the building ring from one end to the
other.
Then followed stirring and dramatic
scene. The plank in the platform de-
nouncing England's policy toward the
Beers had called out immense applause
but when it was announced by Chairman
Richardson that the convention would be
addressed by Hon. Webster Davis, for
mer Assistant Secretary of the Interior,
the crowd manifested its enthusiasm by
cheering for two minutes. Then the for
mer, Republican leader assembled the plat
form and stood facing the thousands of
spectators.
WEBSTER DAVIS, DEMOCRAT
The speech of Mr. Davis was arranged
in order to enable him to announce his
allegiance to the Democratic party and
the platform and to the ticket of the con-
vention
In dramatic style and with all the
force and magnetism of fine orator Mr..
Davis began his address. He denounced
as malicious lie the statement that
he had been forced to leave his office IN
the present National Administration. He
pictured in brilliant and flaming sentences
the ''cruelties'' and aggressions practiced
by Great Britain upon the Beers of South
Africa. He expressed his intense salts
faction that the Democratic party had
incorporated in the platform a plank so
cordially and enthusiastically endorsing
the cause of the Beers which was the
cause of liberty and justice. AS he felt,
he said, that this great republic should
not chain itself to the chariot wheels of
the empire that was crushing liberty to
death in South Africa, he believed it to
be his duty to ally himself with the DEM
ocratic party.
His account with the Republican party
he regarded as fully balanced. He owed
it no further obligations These senti-
ments met with much applause.
In conclusion, in announcing his inten-
tion of supporting the Democratic party
and it's ticket, Mr.. Davis said with great
emphasis, 81 stand upon this platform
and shall support w. j. Brennings.o
1t was a curious and laughable confu
sion of the syllables of Bryan's name. But
the crowd knew what he meant and
cheered him wildly.
MANY DEMOCRATS GREET HIM.
AS Mr.. Davis concluded the band struck
up Hail to the Chief and while it was
rendering the air, he held an impromptu
reception upon the platform. Chairman
Richardson was the first to grasp his
hand as he concluded, then Senator j.
X. Jones and others crowded around him
until he had great difficulty in retaining
his feet. He left the platform as soon as
he was able, but on the way to his seat
he was given shouts of approval by those
whom he passed. The band passed from
Hail to the Chief" to america" and
the convention sung with it until the
band would play no more.
Sergeant at Arms Martin rose to his
feet and waved desperately for silence.
When a few degrees of confusion had
been eliminated he said: ''The next bust
ness before the convention is the nominal
tion of a candidate for the Presidency of
the United States The secretary will call
the roll of States"
THE COMMITTEE TO CONFER.
Before doing so the secretary read the
names of the members of the committee
appointed by the Chair to confer with the
Silver Republicans and Populists in &C
cordance with the resolutions introduced
by George Fred Williams, of Massachu-
sets, at the morning session. They are:
George Fred Williams, Massachusetts,;
J. G. Berry, Arkansas; w. H. Thompson,
Nebraska; Charles Thomas, Colorado;
j. S. Rose, Wisconsin; Thomas II. MaSden,
Virginia; ]. c. Mcclure, California; B.
r. Tillman, South Carolina; Carter II.
Harrison, Illinois.
THE ROLL OF STATES CALLED.
alabama, the secretary then shouted,
commencing the call of the roll
THE State of Alabama" said the
chairman of the delegation Of that State,
yields to Nebraska. the privilege Of
naming the next President of the United
States
w. d. oldham, of Nebraska, who had
been selected to present the
name of Mr.. Bryan to the con-
vention, was waiting by the chairman's
desk, and as the chairman of the Alabama
delegation resumed his seat, he came for
ward and in a very few graceful words,
expressed his appreciation of the favor
extended by Alabama in surrendering its
time to the State of Mr. Bryan.