Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1904-07-15
WILLIAMS SPEECH A
HIT AT CONVENTION
Sarcasms OF the House Leader
Aroused Enthusiasm of
the Democrats.
FIRST SESSION IS HELD
Great Gathering at St. Louis Opens
Under Rather Uncomfortable Con
ditions as to Weather-indi-
cations Favor Parker.

st, Louis, July S.--The democratic
national convention convened Wednes-
day in the monster exposition building
on Olive street. Long before the door
swung open vast crowds thronSad the
streets In the vicinity OF the main en-
trance, eagerly seeking entrance.
The decorations OF the hall were un-
dertaken on a most elaborate scale, and
a pleasing and effective scheme had
been carried to minute details. The
| walls We're adorned with the national
emblem, forming a frame for a colossal
color picture overhead. With the ex-
ception OF bouquets on the tables on the
platform, flowers were eliminated.
The hall lis an immense amphitheater.
| admirably adapted for a national con-
vention, and especially arranged so that
all the available room may be utilized
to the greatest possible advantage. The
| accommodations for the general pub
lie and press are much more complete
than they were at the Chicago conven-
ton, and the best for the latter that
eve We're provided at the national con-
Yention.
Naturally. the opening speech of John
s. Williams OF Mississippi, leader of the
minority on the floor of the house OF
representatives, who was chosen Tor
temporary chairman, was waited with
keen interest, as he had been delegated
to sound the keynote of the campaign,
n as 1t was known he would deal
with the questions which will be of vi
tai importance in the coming struggle
for party supremacy.
Tn day opened cloudy. With comfort
able atmosphere.
The Scramble for Tickets.
The feature OF the forenoon was the
continued scramble for tickets, many of
the delegations being accompanied by
five times as many friends as there was
tickets for. A number OF people re-
manned up practically all night in the
effort TO secure NEAR of admission.
Especial advocates of various candi-
dates were astir early, but those who
were agitating claims of other candi-
dates than Parker found very little EN-
enlargement. Some of them continued
their assurances that there will be at
least 400 votes cast against the New
Yorker and profess to be ~undaunted by
the stand taken by Pennsylvania and
Ohio. Others admitted the critical ma
ture of the situation and confessed that
a great effort vas necessary TO prevent
Parker's ominatio or the first ballot.
Hearst's friends were the most confident
OF the opposition, but they were strong
ly seconded by Wallis adherents.
A stream of visitors, drizzled dele
h1l12 ~ saANGt AfAtkG Nt3 BN0A lib $3.50
the hall an hour before the time set for
the opening of the convention. The big
men, the directors OF political strategy,
We're not as prompt In arriving. BY the
time the hall was q third filled the att
mosphere was uncomfortably warm
and the prospects good for a hot on
ventfon, aside from any political heat
that might be ~engendered during the
proceedings.
The great majority OF the a~ssemblage
had provided themselves with fans, and
the auditorium, viewed from the speak
er's desk, was one yellow flutter as the
palm leaves bobbed back III forth.
The delegates lost little time In getting
outside their coats. and the complexion
OF the lower part of the hall became
lighter as the shirtsleeves became EVIL
dent.
The Convention Opened.
The first ripple of applause came from
the galleries when the Texas delegation
marched In, bearing their single star.
Florida came next at 11:55. Up 20 that
time not a handicap had been offered
to any man who had entered the hall.
The platform was crowded with mem
bers OF the national committee, but no
attention was paid them.
The Philippine delegation was next
to arrive, and Chairman .Guffey of
Pennsylvania, who closely followed
them, was heartily cheered.
At exactly noon Nat!cna! Chairman
Jones appeared upon the platform, and
at 1903 o.. m. called the convention to
order. His appearance OF the platform
brought forth cheers from the floor and
galleries. as California then made it's
first with a huge silk BAN
ner and cries of Hearst, Hearst,
Hearst But the demonstration was
short lived.
Just as the California delegates
reached their seats, William j. Bryan,
who had come in unnoticed, arose In
his place and vas given cheers. Chair
man Jones then secured order and at
once directed the secretary to read the
convention call. Applause followed the
reading OF the call, Int Chairman Jones
announced the Rev. o h r. Cannon,
pastor of the Grand venue Baptist
church of st. Louis. who invoked the
divine blessing upon the convention.
But Cannon's voice was entirely in
adequate to reach even the center OF
the hall. The prayer occupied sew
eral minutes.
Enthusiastic cheering greeted the
chaiTman's announcement that he was
directed by the national committee TO
appoint John Sharp Williams as tenn
porary chairman, G. A. Walsh OF Iowa
as secretary and John /. Martin as
sergeant-at-arms.
Colonel ]. M. Guffey OF Pennsylvania
and M. f. Tarpey OF California were
appointed to escort Mr.. Williams to the
chair. There was a burst OF cheers as
Williams assembled the platform and
another when the chairman introduced
him.
Williams Took Well.
williams delivered his address calm
ly and without gestures.
Temporary Chairman Williams
speech, which was very lengthy, was
largely devoted to ridiculing and criti-
cising the sentiments enunciated In the
speeches OF Speaker Cannon and ex-
Secretary Root at the republican ma
tionai convention. and II denunciation
of the platform adopted by that body.
He mad the claim that the latter dealt
chiefly In the boast that the republican
party was responsible for everything
good which has happened and was com
posed in large measure of ancient his
tory
He said the platform, to sum it all up,
asks he people to ''standpat" I'm every
respect except one. and that is the
plank relating to congressional action
that h determine whether by spe-
cial discrimination elective franchise In