Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1904-07-07


York; former SEES the only
surviving membes Is. Jgs1srson Davis
cabinet; Senators Bacon, of Georgia,
and Bailey, of Texas; former Governor
D. r. Francis, of Missouri, president
of the Louisiana Purchase Exposition,
and Ex-Governor McMillin, of Ten
nessee
Little political scheming was in
progress on the floor of the convention
hall. The antiParker delegates were
SO much in the minority that there APP
peared to be no basis for clever ma
nipulation. The action of Ohio, closely
following Pennsylvania declaration
for the New York jurist, and the band
wagon tendencies displayed by other
delegations which had been counted in
the Parker ranks had telling effect
upon the opposition Though oppo-
nents professed not to be disheartened
by stories Of Parker gains and contin-
ued to claim more than one-third of
the delegates had pledged themselves
never to vote for Parker, few persons
could be found who were willing to
listen to those who were backing the
field against the favorite.
Exactly on the hour of noon Chair
man Jones called the convention to
order The call was read and prayer
delivered. A committee was named to
escort Mr. Williams to the platform to
assume the temporary craftsmanship.
Then it occurred to Chairman Jones
that the band stationed under the roof
opposite the platform had not been
heard. He looked about for the signal
station, but it's location had been lost
amid the decorations. Officials gesticu-
lated and shouted to the leader but TO
no purpose He was waiting for a bell
signal that never came. A courier was
sent to the band stand, but by the time
he arrived Mr.. Williams had started to
speak. Consequently not a note Of mu-
sic was heard in the hall until a short
time before the convention adjourned
for the day
With the exception of the finder ig-
nited by the mention of Cleveland S
name, the speech of Temporary Chair
man Williams was received practically
without interruption A few passages
were applauded, but that was all. The
fault was not with the speech, but prin-
cipally with the acoustic conditions in
the hall Mr. Williams had not been
speaking more than five minutes be-
fore it was apparent that many persons
would be unable to hear him. Crowd
ing of the platform made conditions
worse The police and ushers had diff
ficulty in maintaining passageways in
the main body of the hail.
Cries Of Louder" were responded to
by Mr.. Williams with earnest efforts
to make himself heard. Finally he an
swered the loud shouting by saying:
Il wish 7 had your lungs to make my
self heard
The applause which greeted Mr. Will
liams at the conclusion of his speech
attested his popularity with the dele
gates. Though they had heard only a
small part of what he had said, the
cheering by delegates and spectators
amounted to an ovation,
When that had ceased the band was
signalled to play. This time the word
reached the leader. THE Star Span
gled Banner" and Dixie" were played.
Both selections were cheered, until the
music was nearly drowned.
AS the preliminary business of nam
ing working committees was complet-
ed, the delegates started to leave the
hall. Announcement of the meeting
places of the committees on resolu-
tions, credentials, permanent organiza-
ton and others was made. and the
convention adjourned.