The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-10-04
The Latter Acknowledged that He
Had Been Asked to Put Him-
self ON Exhibition.
NIGHT STREET DEMONSTRATION
WITH THE AID OF LOCAL CLUBS a
GOOD SHOWING WAS MADE.
The Night Meeting at TomIinson Hall
Called 10 Order Late-Busf-
ness and Speakers.

The w. r. Hearst convention OF Demo-
cratic Clubs of the United States had 10
be called to order yesterday afternoon.
q few minutes after o'clock. without the
inspiring presence of its guiding spirit.
1t was a blue looking little group OF men
that sat on the platform of Tomlinson
Hall and beheld the Cook county delegation
from Chicago-with which Mr.. Hearst was
expected TO come-march down the aisle
and still no sign Of the young Napoleon OF
yellow Journalism. That was not the worst
of IT, either. Mr.. Hearst thought so little
Of this national convention, which he had
doomed so vigorously for weeks. that he
not only did not lend the magic of his
presence TO 1t. but did not even deign TO
offer single reason for his remarkable
absence. Senator Jones and Mayor Tag
CART cast sickly glances at each other
the difference being that Mr.. Taggart was
really a sick man physically-and each
mutely interrogated the other as TO why
the leader came not.
Privately, the report was circulated that
Mr.. Louis G. Stevenson, the vice presi-
Dental candidates son, had received a tele-
gram from Mr. Hearst, stating that ne is
Ill in Chicago. but If such telegram had
been received it would have been gladly
read from the platform yesterday, and
none was read. thus demonstrating that
Mr.. Hearst was so upset about something
that he could not even conjure up a reason
for remaining away. Various suggestions
to account for his absence were heard yes
terday afternoon, and the most plausible
seemed to be that he had been Informed
Of the miserable failure of his efforts to
attract a crowd to Indianapolis, and pre-
ferred not to harrow his feelings by per-
sonal glance at the disheartening spec
tacle.
THE HALL DECORATED.
Tomlinson Hall was decorated as eIab-
orately and gorgeously as IL the greatest
audience in its history were to nil fits every
nook and corner. The place of honor I'm the
portrait gallery was given TO Thomas A.
Hendricks, splendid likeness of whom
done i'm oil-depended from the center OF
the squared ceiling above the big stage. On
either side of the dead leaders portrait
were pictures of Bryan and Stevenson.
which were about the worst specimens ever
displayed. Only the fondest worshipers
of the gentlemen could recognize their
features in the miserable daubs supposed to
depict them. The balcony rail facing the
rostrum was adorned with two portraits OF
Bryan and one OF Stevenson-done in the
same distressing style of art. Flags and
streamers greeted the appraised eye in
| every direction, while bunting of fresh and
| attractive appearance hid the railings OF
| both balcony and musicians gallery en-
| tirely from view. A word concerning the
music provided for the entertainment of the
| convention is not amiss. The indianapolis
| Military Band, stationed In the topmost
| gallery, played a repertory OF popular and
| operate airs In its own inimitable fashion,
| winning frequent outbursts OF applause
| Small portraits of Washington and Jackson
were discerned at the ends OF the balcony
| ratings near the stage.
| James X Jones. chairman of the Demo-
cratic national committee. called the con-
| vention 10 order after the applause with
which he was greeted had subsided sena-
tor Jones made feeble attempt TO apollo
| gize for the absence OF President Hearst by
saying that he was ''unaboivably detained
| from this meeting" The senator declared
| grandiloquently that Democratic clubs are
| being formed in the United States at the
rate of 500 a day. and that now there are
| 1853 clubs altogether. with an aggregate
membership OF over 100000. With this
/ mighty force. he asserted. the result
of the election I'm November cannot be
| in doubt. In concluding his brief address
| of welcome. the senator announced the
| temporary organization OF the convention
| as consisting of Chairman Thomas Tag
| gart. Secretary Max +. Ihmsen. OF New
| York: Reading Clerk jefferson Pollard. OF
Missouri, and Sergeant-at-arms Myron ID.
| King, Of Indianapolis. Mayor Taggart in
| taking the Office OF temporary chairman
responded briefly TO Senator Jones's well
coming addresses. Several resolutions were
then introduced I'm quick succession. among
them being one providing that the rules
Of the convention be those OF the Fifty
third Congress, another providing for the
| formation OF resolutions. credentials and
permanent organization committees by the
selection OF a committee to invite ex-sena-
tor David Turpie to occupy seat on the
| platform during to-day's sessions OF the
| convention. Tho latter committee Was
/ made up of Nicholas NJ. Bell of ST Louis:
J. l.. slayden. of San Antonio. Tex. and
Alonzo Greene Smith. OF Indianapolis.
The proceedings OF the convention were
broken into at this point by the dramatic
arrival of the Chicago Cook county,
delegation, headed by the Liberty Drum
| Corps of this city. following which came
the reception committee escortlng Adiai f.
Stevenson, the guest OF honor, and the club
| I'm the rear. directed in true military style
| by Robert +. Burke its commander-in-
| chief Mr. Stevenson was given an ovsslor
as he proceeded TO the platform and again
| when he arose TO address few words to
his Fellow Democrats" as he styled the