The Elk Mountain pilot., 1900-07-10

found in the Democratic column this
fall under any circumstances, but that
with 16 to l eliminated he was sure
it would be there.
Senator Rawlins of Utah was favor
aoIe to 16 to / pronouncement. but did
not contend for it as absolutely essen
tial. Gibbons of Florida and Blackman
of Louisiana supported the conserva-
tive view.
Finally at $50 n. m. the platform
committee, by vote of 2G to %, agreed
upon the financial plank, sub
stituting a 10 to l declaration for n
simple reaffirmation of the Chicago
PLATFORM:
we reiterate the demand of the plat
form of 1896 for an American financial
system made by the American people
for themselves. which shall restore and
maintain n bimetallic price level; and
as part of such system the immediate
restoration of the free and unlimited
coinage of silver and gold Mt the pres
ent legal ratio of 16 to l, without wait
ing for the aid or consent of any other
nation"
Kansas City, July 5.-It was late this
afternoon when the convention was NJ
last face TO face with the presidential
nomination. Earlier in the day there
had been tedious delays, due TO the
inability of the platform committee
to reconcile differences and present n
report Until this was ready the CON
vention beguiled the time by putting
forward speakers of more or less prom
inence to keep the vast audience from
becoming too restless.
The first session, beginning at 10
o'clock this morning. was entirely fruit
less of results, and it was not until
late in the afternoon when the second
session had begun, that the platform
committee was at last able to report an
agreement. Already its main features,
embodying the 1G to principle, had be
come known to the delegates, and there
was little delay in giving it unanimous
approval. This removed the last
chance for an open rupture on ques-
tions Of principle, and left the way
clear for the supreme event of the day
the nomination of the presidential
candidate. The vast auditorium was
filed to its utmost capacity when the
moment arrived for the nomination to
be made.
When the call of states began for the
purpose of placing candidates in nomi-
nation, Alabama yielded its place at
the head of the list 10 Nebraska, and
Mr.. Oldham of that state made his
way to the platform for the initial
speech placing Mr.. Bryan in nominal
tion for the presidency. The orator
was strongvoiced and entertaining.
yet to the waiting delegates and specta-
tors there was but one point to his
speech. and that was the stirring pero-
ration which closed with the name Of
William Jennings Bryan.
This was the signal for the demon
str nf "a
course Joined i'm n tribute of cnthusias-
tic devotion to the leader. When the
demonstration had spent itself the
speeches seconding the nomination of
Mr.. Bryan were in order. Senator
White spoke for California.
When Colorado was reached that
state yielded to Senator Hill of New
York The audience had anXiuusly
awaited tine appearance of the distin-
guished New Yorker, and as he took
the platform he was accorded n splen-
did reception. the entire audience rising
and cheering wildly, with the single eX-
ception of the little group of Tam
many leaders. who sat silent Mr.. Hill
was in fine voice and his tribute to the
Nebraskan touched Il sympathetic
chord in the hearts of the audience
When Hill declared with dramatic EN-.
phasis that the candidate would have
the support of his party-a united par
ty-there was tremendous applause nj
the suggestion of Democratic unity.
Aside from the brilliant culogy of
Bryan, the speech of the New York
leader was chiefly significant aud at
tractive in its strong plea for unity.
The eloquent Daniel of Virginia adj
ed his glowing tribute to the candidate,
while former Governor Pnttison OF
Pennsylvania spoke for his state and
for the East: Governor McMilin of
Tennessee voiced the wishes of state
which had furnished three presi-
dents" Hawaii. through its native
delegate, John Fl. Wise. made its first
seconding speech in Democratic ma
tional convention and finally II sweet
voiced and pleasant-faced woman al
ternate from Utah seconded the nomi-
nation of Mr.. Bryan in behalf of her
state.
Then came the voting. State after
state recorded its vote in behalf of the
Nebraska candidate. and giving him
the unanimous vote Of all the states and
territories. The managers had agreed
that this was sufficient work for the
day and the vice presidential nomina-
ton was allowed to go over until to-
morrow.
Next to the demonstration for the
party candidate. that greeting the an
nouncement that Imperialism was to
be the paramount issue of this cam
paign was the most spontaneous and
significant of the day. That the dele
gates were in complete sympathy with
this expression was shown by the ter
rifle and long sustained applause. last
ing over twenty-five minutes and eN-
ceeding the ovatious usually accorded
the favorites of the party.
Following this. the announcement
that the 16 to l idea was retained In
the platform received only faint ana
illy-sustained recognition. the applaus,
being limited to n few minutes. II was
regarded as significant showing or
the sentiment of the delegates. quite
Il,. tul.,ll.. ~. ll.. NJ.