The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1904-07-08

reach ali parts CT the hall.
As Mr.. Williams proceeded his
voice increased in volume and the
delegates listened attentively.
= The convention appeared consider
ably amused at Mr.. Williams humor-
ously sarcastic reference to the "mu-
tual admiration society of Mr..
Roosevelt and Mr.. Root, and when
he read an eulogy by the President on
Mr.. Root the delegates laughed and
applauded.
Mr.. Williams spoke in an ironical
tone that caught the fancy of the
convention, and he was interrupted
time and again by laughter.
At this point the Michigan delega-
ton entered the hall. and there were
several calls for order.
Cheering was provoked by the
speakers statement that Mr.. Roose-
welt had praise for only three Presi-
dents. George Washington, Abraham
Lincoln and himself" and when he
asked if the Hell roaring Jake
Smith" order was a sample of the
moral sentiment for which the Re-
publfcsns stood. a lusty cheer broke
forth.
A great part of Mr. Williams
speech was delivered under great diff
fculties. for the speaker and those Of
his hearers who were supposed to
be most directly interested in his
rermarks. The aisles leading past
the delegates We're packed by dense
throngs. who kept up a constant hum
of conversation that smothered Mr..
Williams voice.
Williams Discusses the Republican
Platform.
Passing from the discussion Of Mr..
Roots speech, the speaker took UP
the Republican platform.
Mr.. Williams drew a picture Of the
country's condition at the time OF
President Cleveland'S first Inaugural
ton, declaring that much Of the dis
tress that came in the early nineties
were due to Republican misrule that
had gone before. Under Benjamin
J. Harrison, he said, for three years,
all hope had we'll nigh vanished from
the business world. He scored the
attitude of the Republican party on
the financial question. declaring that
it had been full of Inconsistencies
and absurdities. He mentioned the
name of Mr.. Bryan in discussing the
price of wheat during the first Bryan
Mckinley campaign. The utterance
of the name called forth little ap-
plause and some cheers. A second
later he mentioned the name again,
and the applause was not repeated.
Cleveland's Name Causes Great DEM
OnstratiOn.
A mention of the name of Grover
Cleveland was cheered Justify. A
moment later the first scene of the
session occurred. Mr. Williams de-
clared that it was brazen effrontery
for the Republican party to attempt
to seize the laurelS Of Grover Cleve-
land. A genuine outburst Of applause
followed. Cheer after cheer rolled
through the hall. and, though the
chairman used the gavel vigorously,
the convention was soon beyond his
control.
New Hampshire delegates climb
ed upon their seats and yelled vigor-
ously. One Iowa man of the Hearst
instructed delegation from thar COM
monwealth. stood up and waved his
hat frantically, and a wild chorus
answered him.
Three cheers for Grover Cleve-
land!'' shouted an Alabama delegate.
and they came with genuine power
and enthusiasm. No cry came from
Nebraska where Mr.: Bryan and his
friends sat quietly without taking
part in the noise.
Again and again cheers came in
dense volume. despite vigorous cries
of Order" and the strenuous pound
ing of the chairman's gavel;
Then Mr. Williams sat BACK and
watched the scene he had create As
the cheers and cries followed there
would be a renewed outbreak, and
the demonstration lasted eight min
utes.
Tim Murphy Elected From the Hall.
Tim Murphy, of st. Louis, stand
ing in the center aisle and encourag-
ing the demonstration, was first re-
quested to take his seat, and then
elected from the hall by John I. Mar
tin. sergeant-at-arms. Murphy was
L, u II, Not fNv-y hxv Iar
tin, through a railing and down
narrow stairway leading under the
stage.
Another encounter between Murphy
and Martin took place In the passage
way under the stage. Murphy then
permitted himself to be taken from
the hall by two officers.
For several minutes after the Muir
ply incident the demonstration con-
tinued Finally, in desperation. Mr..
Williams threatened to discontinue his
speech.
"You have placed me here. 1 am
your servant. If you don't want me
to continue, it is your pleasure" he
cried.
This announcement was effective,
and Mr.. Williams secured control. the
demonstration that his mention Of
Cleveland had caused dying slowly
out
When he said that he had heard that
Dewey, Schley and Miles were Demo-
Gratis; that a Republican administra-
ton had snlubbed the first. tried to
disgrace the second, and insulted the
third, the convention again broke out
into shouts and applause. By this
time Mr.. Williams voice was failing.
1t grew weaker. and he was heard
with difficulty even by those very near
the platform.
Mr.. Williams flow of oratory was
for some time A re-
sponse of applause followed his de-
of the Republican claims
of prosperity because Of the tariff.
Cries of Louder were again heard
in various parts of the hall.
'I wish I had the lungs TO speak
louder, but I cannot" answered Mr..
Williams
what did you say?" came a voice
from the gallery.
SO rapidly did the noise increase that
Mr.. Williams began to address himself
~ rSfa