Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-07-03
tBy Telegraph to virginIan-Pllot.)

(By Telegraph to Virginian-Pilot)
kansas City, July 2.-The throb and
thrill OF a great National assemblage
is beginning to take possession of this
young queen city of the Southwest
Throughout the day there has been q
steady tramp. tramp of incoming thou
sands by every tain. choking the rail-
road stations with struggling, travel
stained and sweltering throng, filling
the streets with slow-moving. jostling
crowds, emptyng into the hotel lob
bies where. amid cigar smoke and piles
of baggage and the shout of badge
vendors. the currents of earnest and
excited men eddy into groups, declaim-
Ing the merits of candidates and is
sues. arguing, protesting, gesticu-
lating.
The real work of the convention be-
San to-day with Il meeting of the Ma
tional Committee, to determine con-
tests and to select temporary chair
man.
Mayor Rose, of Milwaukee, who will
be temporary chairman, is a German
American. reputed TO be an orator of
line presence and effective delivery.
Tonight the National Committee is
having private dinner, q sort OF FAM
j. Campau, while great crowds OF dele
gates and spectators are centering at
convention hail. which is formally
opened with band concert. The dom
mating influence OF Mr.. Bryan over
the convention had been made perfect
~ manifest, causing some concern and
Just little rebellion in some quarters.
1t Is not by any authoritative or for
NAL words or actions by him that this
1nfiuence Is eXerted. but In ways none
the less effective. Its Importance,
however, has not been SO much in dis
closing how strong hand Mr.. Bryan
holds on the convetions course as in
showing that there is little likelihood
or modification or dilution of the sill
Yer plank.
The arrival of the Nebraska delega-
tlon, fresh from conference with their
leader, was mainly instrumental in
showing MIR Bryan's attitude. They
were hardly Off the cars before thew
met In caucus and formally put for
ward declaration of principles They
expressed 'unalterable opposition 20
any surrender of th1 principle of BIZ
metallism and n demand for q finan-
cial plank making n specific pledge
Tor the free and unlimited coinage OF
gold and silver at the ratio of 16 to 1.
independently of what any other ma
ton may do"
The return OF Senator Hill without
tangible results which he was willing
10 disclose, made it plain that his con-
ference with Mr.. Bryan at Lincoln had
come to naueht and it served also 10
emphasize the general feeling that Mr..
Bryan wuold not tolerate any tempo
rizing OH the platform. The Senator
came back from Lincoln on TIE car
with the Nebraska delegation, ming
ling with them and exchanging views.
But there was no evidence of the
slightest sympathy among them for
him as the companion of Bryan on
the ticket. For the reason" as Judge
Tibbetts explained, THAT Mr.. Hill
would not accept the nomination under
the circumstances"
But the development OF Mr.. Bryan's
influence over the convention and his
unwavering insistance on 16 to l has
created curious counter movement.
This is among the practical politicians
of the party. the leaders who run cam
paigns to secure votes. They want no
surrender and neither are they seek
ing immolation at this one altar. They
seek compromise, concession and such
harmoniZing that all sections can be
brought together. AS n result of this
strong and growing sentiment definite
and urgent representations have been
made to Mr.. Bryan in the interest of
harmony and moderat ton ON the plat
form. The bearer OF these overtures
is James Kerr, secretary of the Con-
gressional National Committee, who is
with Mr. Bryan in Lincoln to-day after
comforting with the leaders.
He certainly reflects the sentiment of
his own State, Pennsylvania and other
Eastern localities, and 1T is understood
that his mission has the sympathetic
approval, IL not the positive author
lty of the most influential party lead
ers now assembled here, including
practically the entire membership of
the Executive Committee and George
Fred Williams, Of Massachusetts.
From what, developed to-day, the
mission is likely to prove no more pro-
luctive Of harmonizing results than the
pilgrimage of Hill. Indeed this feeling
Is so universal that the Eastern dele
cations reached n practical determine
lion to-day to accept the inevitable.
and to confine their efforts to the
Platform Committee, thus keeping the
subject from being source of dis
cord on the floor OF the convention.
Kansas City, July 2.-The Democrat
ic National Committee was called to
meet at the Kansas City Club build
ing at 10 o'clock to-day, but the mem
bers were slow in gathering and the
meeting did not begin for almost an
hour fter that time. The committee
heard the report of the sub committee
which has had in charge the prepare
ton of convention hall and then took
ZIP other matters requiring its atten-
ton. y decision had been reached to
have the various contests over seats
heard by subcommittee and not by
the committee as a whole.
The committee did not manifest dis
position to accept without question
the decision OF the subcommittee to