The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1900-07-06
SENATOR FILL is LIONIzED
Entire Assemblage Joins in a
VoCiferouS Demand for
! the New Yorker.
No Business Is Transacted
! Outside the Days Formal
a Proceedings.

such an event and such day, the DEM
ocratic national convention began it's
first session. But after sitting until a
late hour at night the expected climax
of the day, the nomination Of William
]. Bryan as the Democratic candidate
for president, has failed of realization
and all of the larger business of the
convention awaits the completion of the
platform.
AS spectacular event, however, the
convention has fulfilled the hopes of
the most fervid party man, for the vast
assemLlage of delegates and speakers
has twice been swept with whirlwind
demonstrations, first for the leader who
is about to be placed in nomination and
then for the other champion of Dem
ocracy, David B. Hill. But in actual
accomplishment the days work is con-
fined to organization with the speeches
of the temporary chairman, Governor
Thomas of Colorado, and permanent
chairman, Hon. James D. Richardson,
the appointment of the various com.
mittees and detailed preparations for
the more serious work yet in store. 1t
was an inspiring scene that Chairman
Jones looked out upon when at noon,
after beating tattoo with his gavel he
stilled the tumult and
Declared the Convention Open.
About him were fully $4,000 people, ris-
ing tier on tier, like the spectators in
some vast coliseum. Above and on all
sides was gorgeous sunburst of color.
huge flags in rosettes and graceful fan
shapes, bunting Topped in great stream
ers, notices and coats of arms from
many states, mingling in this overhang-
ing spread Of color with the bright sum-
mer hats and dresses of many women
present.
But it was not clearly gathering of
wealth and fashion. The bronzed faces
of many of the men, their course shirts,
collarless and scarfless, marked them as
from the soil. With hardly an excep-
ton they took off their coats and sat in
their shirt sleeves 1t was gathering
none the less inspired with the patriotic
spirit of the day, which found constant
expression in wild hurrahs at every
sound of "Dixie" or America. In
the body of delegates were the best
known men of the party, many of them
of national reputation.
Ovation for Senator Hill.
Senator Hill was late to come upon
the scene. The great audience had been
eagerly awaiting him and his entrance
was the signal for the first real ovation
of the day. He found no place reserved
among the Croker Murphy dignitaries
in the forefront of the delegation and
contented himself with a seat far in
the rear.
The early proceedings Of the conven-
ton were marked by two brilliant but
rather ill-timed speeches, one of welcome
from the may or of the city and the 9TH
er from Governor Thomas of Colorado,
assuming the duties of temporary chair.
man. The dramatic episode of the day
occurred as the reading of the Declare
ton of Independence was about to be-
gin. Two attendants pushed up to the
pidClOl !" pCeli LII q pOoOoed1 e1Ad UuSu
both draped in the Stars and Stripes. AS
the orator raised his voice for the first
words of the immortal instrument, the
draperies were thrown back disclosing
splendid head of Bryan.
The Effect Was Electrical
upon the vast assemblage, which up to
that moment had neither heard the
name or seen the face of their leader.
AS the marble features were recognized
a yell went up which fairly shook the
steel Orders and above the storm family
could be heard the strains Of the band
which had broken out with the national
anthem.
The outburst of patriotism then
turned in a new direction and during a
monetary pause in the proceedings the
name of 'Hill" was sounded. 1t was
quickly caught up, first among the
delegates and then among the specta-
tors, until the whole multitude had
Joined in noisy demand for the former
senator from New York. For fully 10
minutes the enthusiastic demonstration
proceeded, the chairman battling vainly
against it. Delegates stood on chairs
and joined in the demand and the SEN
ator was surrounded by a shouting
crowd of insistent men. He smiled and
shook his head throughout the demon.
stration.
Tammany Leaders Took No Part.
Many of the New Workers joined in
the tribute, but it was noticeable that
Mr.. Croker and his Immediate follow
ers held their seats and maintained
stolid composure throughout the re-
markable tribute to their associate. At
last, when the demonstration had run
on for 10 minutes, Hill could be seen
rising from his obscure place in the
body of the New York delegation. He
bowed and smiled, and his lips moved