The National tribune., 1900-07-12
FIRST DAY.

The Democratic National Convention
began its sessions mt Kansas clty on July
4 after its members and their adherents
hnj suent the first of the week wire-puii-
ing and ranging in line for their various
Vicc- Presidential candidates. The scheme
to nominate William ]. Bryan for Presi-
DENT on the Nations birthday came tG
paught 1t failed because OF a bltter ana
uroIonred fight in the Committee on keSo-
iutions on the Silver Question, and winch
prevented n report on the platform that
NIGHT The unbiased sentiment OF the
Committee on Resolutions was evidently
for Il very modest reference TO the SILVER
question. and it became apparent by the
onenipg day of the convention that large
ma aiority of delegates held the same view.
and that il would be only through desire
10 acccde TO what Mr.. Bryan wished that
a 16 to | declaration could he Incorporat-
ed in the platform. 1t was then Said on
good authority that if the silver men won
Toyne's nomination for Nlce-President
would he demanded as a logical sequence,
or would be willing to compromise on Ad-
loi +. Stevenson: while if the platform
were Il straight-out declaration for silver
Hill. fighting for Il simple reaffirmatlon,
could not he chosen. although he might on
a conservative platform.
A wide expanSe of shirt-sleeved and
sweItering humanity faced Chairman
Jones when he called the convention TO or
der The crowd had promptly shed all
dispensable garments. Even the Sergeant
alarms appeared on the stage with his
suSpenderS hanging down. Many women
were in the galleries.
Back of the stage was space reserved
for distinguished guests. 1t was filled
with the men who came to the front on
the crest of the silver waye-men who
before 1896 were unknown in Democratic
politics with the exception of Il few like
Of an1 Ti1ln1n pf SOIIfl
Carolina. who are prominent members or
the National Committee. The gathering
showed the havoc which the silver storm
had played in the ranks of the once trust
ed and powerful leaders in the party.
Hill. of New York, however, was the
tered the hall until the convention ad-
journed July 4 popular feeling for him
found manifestation. In 1896 he faced an
impatient audience; this time he was
cheered.
The proceedings were as usual perfume
tory. consisting of the address of welcome
by Mayor Reed. of Kansas City. the Tenn
porary Chairman; Gov. Thomas, of Colo
RADIO. and the appointment of the usual
committees. Thomas's speech was an ar
raignment of the Republican Administra-
ton.
The first speaker called upon to address
the convention should be Altgeld, of Hi
nois. 1t is true that he was not called
for, being simply introduced at the night
session by the Temporary Chairman to en-
tertain the waiting crowd, but the fact
that he was selected showed the determin-
alton of the radical element to force itself
to the front. Altgeld was not even 4 dele
gate to the convention, but he is the rep
resentative of the Bryan forces, and his
appearance on the platform was TO that
extent most appropriate. Four years ago,
when passion was at its hight, Altgeld was
an apostle and a prophet. who stirred the
factienal believers in silver with every
word he uttered. Now the delegates were
uneasy while he talked.
Altgeid had no sooner concluded than
the thousands cried frantically and Spon-
taneously for Hill. The cry rose like the
roar of a tempest, but the bandmaster had
evidently received his Instructions, and at
once began popular tune. The music
ceased. and again came the howl for Hill.
The demonstration was finally stilled by
the presentation of the reports of the Com,
mttee on Credentials and Permanent Or
ganiZation. The former seated Senator
Clark and his delegation, and gave half n
vote each to the District delegations, and
the latter presented the name of Congress
man j. u. Richardson, of Tennessee, as
Permanent Chairman.
Chairman Richardson's address was
well delivered, and its presentation of the
issues aroused the interest of the dele
gates. He arraigned the Republican party
ON many counts, undertaking to show that
IL had never done anything that it prom
ised or any good to the country: in fact.
was driving the country to the .'bow-
vows" all the time.
He closed his address with a striking
tribute to Bryan as the one man who EN-
bodied the issues. The climax, bringing
Bryan's name before the delegates in this
effective position. brought thousands to
their feet with piercing yells of delight,
the demonstration lasting many minutes.
accompanied by the usual scenes. and the
convention soon afterwards closed its first
days sessions.