The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-07-13
Advertiser Bureau.
 Mobile, July 12.


 Colonel E. l.. Russell this mornine gave the following as his opinion of the National Democratic Convention:
 T do not suppose there has ever been any political convention In this country that compared with the St. Louis National Democratic Convention The enthusiasm was entirely toe great. do not think the convention nall was we'll arranged and thing the handling of the convention by the omcers bor- dered on incompetency. I hope that our new Executive Committee will make better arrangements for the next national convention and select more competent sergeant-at-arms. The gal ieries were permitted to so interfere with the convention that 1t could scarcely proceed intelligently with any business.
 There was a deliberate attempt up- on the part of the galleries, to stam- pede the convention to Mir. Bryan. but about 800 of the delegates remained throughout all the excitement perfect ly quiet. self-possessed and resisted ev- cry attempt at a stampede.
 "The Alabama delegation never lost vote. On every candidate, every re- port and every motion that was made. which required a vote by roll call, the position assumed by the Alabama del- egation was sustained. It was very hot and with the convention hall crowded with from twelve to fifteen thousand people and the sessions being continuous, day and night. it was re- markable that the delegates were able to hold out
 Saturday evening we were getting along very nicely nominating candf- dates for President, when an ex- tra paper appeared in the hall. contain ing a telegram which it was claimed had been sent by Parker to Senator Carmack. This telegram claimed that Parker had repudiated the platform and insisted that unless the gold stand ard was inserted in 1t he would decline the nomination. In ten minutes the convention was in a state of confusion and great demoralization. cannot now describe how much I was alarmed over the situation.
 Senator Culberson moved an ad- Journment until s:3O. which was car ried. During the interim the delegates left the convention hall and discussed among themselves the unfortunate cir cumstance. The adjournment was a wise move, as it gave an opportunity for sober second thought to take pos session of ushe delegates. When they returned at S:S0 and John Sharp Will
 
 and read the telegram to the New York delegate, ex-Lieutenant Governor Shee- han, and the reply he proposed the con- vention should make, and then made a statement in support of iis reply, the situation was saved. When the con- vention was thus put In possession of the real telegram, and the one purport- ing to have been sent to Senator Car mack was found to be bogus. the dele- gates recovered themselves entirely.
 The debate between Bryan and Weaver on one side, and John Sharp Williams and Senators Daniel and Car mack on the other. was about as spirit ed and able a discussion as I have ever heard. It was fortunate for the Dem- ocratic party that Mir. Bryan left his sick bed and came to the convention and was able to make three speeches in opposition to the sending of the tele- gram No one can claim that any in formation was suppressed or concealed and that every one did not have fair opportunity to present his views. both