The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-07-09
ROBSON GIVEN
 B|C OVATION Makes Thrilling Talk Before < National Convention HAS MAGNIFICENT VOICE Ills Talk Was the Feature of the Morning Session of the conven-
 tion-scorss President
 Roosevelt
HAS MAGNIFICENT VOICE
BY BOHEMIAN c. HuLeER.


 St. Louis, July s-(special.)--In this mornings session of the convention Ala bama furnished the star performer in the person of Capt. Richmond P. Hobson whose wonderful voice reached the most distant points of the hall and aroused the enormous assemhlage to wild enthusiasm as no other man but William J. Bryan had done. Captain Hobson proved himself the national silgger' that Colonel Bank head had dubbed him and on two oc- casions during his address thousands of people rose in their seats and while way ing their hats yelled themselves hoarse.
 The naval heros voice could be heard distinctly in all parts of the immense coliseum and the dramatic climax of his efforts were received with unrestrain- ed applause. Besides William J. Bryan he is the only man who has succeeded in making himself heard and holding the attention of his audience until he had finished.
 While waiting for the report of the committee on resolutions every method of entertaining was tried to keep the dele- gates and spectators interested and there were frequent calls for Bourke Cochran and other famous orators. As none an- swered the calls delegate G. w. Pratt of Alabama arose and moved that the con- yention hear from Capt. Richmond P Hobson. The motion was carried and Cap- tain Hobson who had occupied a seat on the platform advanced to the front of the rostrum and began his address.
 He began by expressing appreciation for the high honor that had been accorded him and then waded straight forward into discussion of national issues He ripped President Roosevelt with knife of the keenest steel and his severe denunciation of the rough riders policy in running the | loudly cheered
 Want No More Cromwells.
 I've want no more Cromwels in this country" said the naval hero in one of tha dltssaatie aiilnaxes of his speech and the crowds burst into applause. He said there would come a Wellington who would thrust the presumptuous chief ex- ecutive from his seat as was the fate of Napoleon and this was also received with an outburst of cheers Referring to the south Captain Hobson said:
 The southern seats furnish cluster of twinkling satellites in the composition of these United States that have shined brilliantly in the affairs of the govern ment. notwithstanding the trying periods of reconstruction and the dark days of the civil war. They have proven them selves worthy of place in this nation by their unfaltering support of the flag during the war with Spain and many brilliant sons of the south have laid down their lives In support of the union
 And then in the face of this" dram atically said the captain, MT Roosevelt is attempting to shake the skeleton of sectionalism in our face with his negro question. Will you people of the north, east and west support such fragrant abuse of our rights as this?' No no, mo-" yelled hundreds of voices and then the convention broke into wild applause, men from the south stood upon their desks waving their hats and shouting at the top of their voices and 1t was several minutes before order could be restored. Captain Hobson then took up his naval plan but dwelt very briefly on the sub ject. His entire speech did not last more than twenty minutes He concluded by predicting a democratic victory and the downfall of the party which had at tempted to rule the government without regard to the legislative branch and with out regard to the wishes of the people.
 Many Did Not Know Him.
 "A remarkable feature of the ovation given Captain Hobson is that not more than half of the vast crowd knew who it was speaking. Chairman Clarks voice was very weak in the introduction and with the exception of those who recog- nized HobsQn's features very few knew who he was. He made his hit as an ora tor and not as naval hero.
 While coming out of the coliseum a gen. tleman from Colorado asked the writer this Who was the young man who made the great speech?' That was Hobson, of Merrimac fame" was the reply, and he looked astounded. 'I would give anything | to shake his hand. That roast of Roose- welt was terrific" The gentleman from Colorado was thereupon taken to the plat form and warmly shook the hand of the young Alabamian. In fact it was ten minutes after the convention adjourned before Hobson could get away from the stage. Hundreds of persons rushed to the platform to grasp his hand and welcome him into national politics.