The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1900-07-05
DEMOCRATS ARE
ALL AT SEA
Temporary Chairman Thomas
Makes a Talk.
DEED WILL BE DONE TODAY
Opponents Of Mckinley to Be Nominated on
the First Ballot Il tie Silver Craze Is
Subordiaaied Kansas City
In q Furors.

IN fufore.
KANSAS CITY. July 4.-Amid the
acres Of tumultous enthusiasm beft-
ting such an event and such day. the
Democratic convention began its ses-
sion today. After sitting until a late
hour tonight, the expected climax Of
the day-the nomination Of William J..
Bryan as the Democratic candidate
for presiient-has failed Of realization,
and all Of the larger business Of the
convention awaits the completion Of the
platform.
As a spectacular event, however, the
convention has fulfilled the hopes Of
the most feryld party man, for the vast
assemblage Of delegates and spectators
has twice been swept with whirlwind
demonstrations. first for the leader.
who is about to be placed in nomina-
tion. and then for that other cham
pion Of Democracy. David Bennett
Hill.
But in actual accomplishment the
days work is confined TO organization,
with speeches Of the temporary chair
man, Governor Thomas. Of Colorado
and Of the permanent chairman. Hon.
James D. Richardson; the appointment
Of various committees and detailed
propositions, for more serious work yet
4, store. ut Vas Fam ifsptrins soenelthat
Chairman Jones looked out upon when,
at noon, after beating a tattoo with his
gavel. he stilled the tumult and de-
clared the convention open. About
him were fully $4,000 people. But it
was clearly not gathering alone. OF
wealth and fashion. Bronzed faces Of
many of the men. their coarse shirts.
collarless and scarfless. marked them
as from the soil. With hardly an ex-
cention thev took off their coats and
sat shirt sieeved and democratic. Many
of the women were in cambrics and
ginghams rather than in summer silks
and laces. 1t was a gathering none
the less inspired with the patriotic spir-
ii of the day. which found constant
expression in wild hurrahs at every
sound of Dixie" or America"
The first dramatic episode of the day
occurred after Campau, Of Michigan
had secured the adoption of resolution
for the reading of the Declaration o
independence. As the reading wa
about to begin, two attendants push
ed up to the platform bearing a ped
estal and bust, both draped in tn,
Stares and Stripes. AS the orator rails
ed his voice for the first words Of tn
immortal instrument, the draperie
were thrown back, disclosing a splen
did head of Bryan. The effect wa
electrical upon the vast assemblage.
The outburst of patriotism nov
turned in a new direction and during
a momentary pause in proceedings, tn
name Of "Hnr' was sounded. 1t wa
quickly caught up. First among tn
delegates and then from gallery to gal
lery among the spectators until th'
whole multitude had Joined in the noisy
demand for the former senator from
New York. For fully ten minutes tht
enthusiastic demonstration proceeded
1t was noticeable that the immediate
following of the Croker and TammanS
leader himself held their seats ant
maintained composure throughout
the remarkable tribute to their asso'
ciate.
The routine proceedings were quickly
disposed of. With committees appoint
ed there was nothing to do but await
the recess which the convention took al
2:5O until 4 o'clock. AS the delegates
filed out of the hall, they pressed
around Senator Hill who, for half an
hour, was the center of an enthusiastic
personal greeting from individual
delegates. At 4 o'clock the commit
tees were not ready to report and an
other adjournment was taken until $3.50
p. m. 1t remained for the night ses-
sion to bring the most remarkable
demonstration.
The committee on credentials made