Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-07-09
LAST NIGHTS SESSION
STORY IN DETAIL OF AN EXCIT
ING SESSION.

The crush of visitors around the doors
and inside the democratic convention hiii
at st. Louis at o'clock last night, the
time set for the opening of the convention
was greater than at any previous session.
1t was something rarely paralleled at any
national convention. Extras mad spread
the news over the town that a nomination
was to be expected during the night, and
the crowd was greater than at any previous
session. At two or three entrances the
pressure on the doorkeepers and policemen
was SO great that the lines were broken,
and many persons without tickets forced
their way into the hall
1t was a crowd that, judging from pre-
vailing symptoms, came with the fuil In
tention of participating in the proceedings,
for cheers, applause and comment were
Forthcoming on every occasion.
The first genuine reception of the evening
was given to Senator Hill of New York,
who made his first appearance in the hall
Gen. Nelson A Miles was also present
for the first time.
Not q Vacant Seat.
At o'clock there was not vacant seat
in the vast auditorium. From platform to
topmost gallery it was packed with dele
gates, aIternates and spectators. The heat
was already intense. On the outside the
crowd was even greater than within the
Coliseum So far the interest of the
masses was concerned last nights session
was what all strove to witness. 1t had been
rumored that the doors were to be thrown
open to the public This was not true, but
tickets sold so cheaply that they were
within the means of all. The only trouble
was that the cheapest tickets were for ses-
sions gone by, and the buyer took his own
chances getting by the doorkeepers.
Many of the bogus ticket holders got In,
and others less fortunate blocked the en-
frances. The streets on the four sides of
the Coliseum were impossible. Street cars
got through with difficulty and with danger
to humanity.
keep passagewayS clear. Nothing, however.
affected the pushing mob for it was known
that hundreds passed through the doors
who had no right to enter, and that served
to work the throng into frenzy. Long after
the hall was filled the crowd pressed
against the entrances, loath to give up the
hope of getting In.
Frequently half a dozen people would be
allowed to enter on single ticket. There
was no attempt made at many entrances
to restrict the crowd in any way, and by
the time the chairman called the conven-
ton to order the hall was filled to the
danger line and beyond.
Convention Called to Order.
A series of energetic thumps on the pre-
siding officers table were given by Chair
man Clark at S:03 o'clock, In an endeavor
to call the convention to order. The read
ing clerk ordered the floor officers to clear
the aisIes. AS Mr.. Clark stood at the desk
Senator Daniel of Virginia, chairman of the
resolutions committee made his way to his
side with copy of the platform In his
hand.
Without delay it was announced that the
report of the committee would be received.
At this statement the convention seized
the opportunity to vent Its satisfaction at
the unanimous report to be made. A great
cry went up. Many delegates jumped to
their feet, and the first demonstration OF
the night session occurred
Becoming impatient at the delay, Sena-
tor Daniel began his announcement in the
midst of the uproar.
II am Instructed to make to this con-
vention," he began, this unanimous re-
port from the committee on resolutions"
The senator's persistence had the de-
sired effect, although it was several min
utes before the convention composed it
self. and warning had to be given by the
reading clerk that quiet must be pre-
served. Cries of louder" were repeatedly
made as Senator Daniel proceeded for
his voice seemed inadequate to the hall.
A great hum of conversation and an all
pervading noise of shuffling feet, moving
bodies and scraping chairs mingled to
drown the Virginian's voice. Powerful as
it Is, he could not be heard ten rows of
seats from the stand on which he stood.
An Ohio delegate mounted his chair,
and. after repeatedly addressing the
chairman In loud manner, demanded
order.
'All right. sit down and keep still and
we will have order" retorted Mr.. Clark.
Then. turning to the clerk, he directed
again that the aisles be cleared. Senator
Daniels exhaustion from his long session
with the resolutions committee was ap-
parent. To the vast audience which faced
him he was but silent figure with NOV
ing lips.
Ten minutes went by with the same dis
order, the reading of the platform not
being heard. when another interruption
was made at the instance Of Chairman
Clark, at which order was demanded, but
Intellectually. Disturbances resulting from
cries for order from various portions of
the hall exhausted the patience of Chair
man Clark. and he gave personal direc-
tions to have several persons quieted or
put out. Senator Daniel, however. refused
to be disturbed. He proceeded with the
reading of the platform, regardless of the
Iact that not one soul In the hall except,
perhaps, the stenographer who stood at
the steps just beneath him, heard a word
Platform Adopted.
Senator Daniel finished reading the
platform at s:55 o'clock When it was OBJ
served that he had ceased reading the
convention broke into cheers.
Senator Daniel said: II am unanimously
instructed by your committee on platform
to move the previous question on its adop-
ton. and now make that motion"
1t was adopted by a viva vece vote two
or three delegations voting in the mega
tive, and they. apparently. in spirit of
fun. Chairman Clark then put the mo-
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