The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-07-17
PEN SKETCHES OF
 THE BIG LEADERS
Personal Characteristics of
 Prominent Men at St. Louis
BELMONTIS NOT HANDSOME
Most of the eazers Who Flocked to the Hotel to See Him Were Dis appointed-John Sharp Williams
 Is Rapidly Turning Gray.
BY BOHEMIAN c. BULeER.

BY BOHEMIAN c. BULGER.
 While the eyes of the newspaper reading world are turned to the leaders of the democratic party who made themselves prominent in the recent St. Louis conven- tion, and while numerous pictures of the various big lights have appeared from day to day few persons perhaps have a clear idea of the physical appearance of these noted men,
 At St Louis there was constant stream of curiosity stricken persons pour ing through the Hobbies of the Planters hotel with the hope of getting a look at August Belmont, who has suddenly sprung into political prominence through his untiring support of Judge Parker. While MT. Belmont is a multi-millionaire he looks very much like other human be- ings and when his form crossed the view of the hundreds of gazers it is safe to say that every person, whose long wait had been rewarded, was badly disap- pointed
 Mir Belmont is not a handsome man and of insignificant appearance He is of low stature, dark complexion and red face He is by no means a fashion plate and on the street no one would ever take him for a ''big man" He has hook nose and q black stubby moustache and looks more like the ward politician than a national figger." In conversation he is both cour- teous and cautious.
 The newspaper reporter who gets any thing out of MT. Belmont for space-killing
 tn1 salary. The fnancier usually wears Panama hat of unassuming shape and pulls 1t down over his eyes, giving him a crafty appearance. He is not good .'nixer" and does all h.s work in pri- vate conferences. When away from bus iness political or financial MT. Belmont is said to be a genuine good fellow and is liberal in views as well as money. He will contribute largely to the campaign fund this fall and it is said will have considerable to do with the detail work.
 David r. Hill.
 David B. Hill, is another leader who stuck close to his private apartments in St. Louis and also close to his chair while in the convention. Delegates and specta- tors frequently called on him to speak but he never budged. He saved all his strength for the committee on resolu- tions and members of that committee say he showed both sagacity and feeling in the debates. It is generally believed that Senator Hill is a man of cold nature and incapable of deep feeling or sentiment on any question. This was disproved In his speeches in the committee as he showed himself to be a man moved by feeling and a spirit of firmness. Personally MT Hill is neither striking nor handsome. Any one who has seen his newspaper photo graphs would recognize him in a crowd. He has not the pale, sallow complexion of which many have written, for every day his nose is growing redder and his face more rugged MT. Hill never took drink of wine, whisky or beer and has never used tobacco. He Is an old bachelor and 1t is said has never kissed woman and never intends to. After>a few minutes conversation with Senator Hill 1t can readily be seen why he has never formed any very close attachments. He is not congenial though very polite and oblging In his presence one feels ill at ease and on leaving does not feel better. The man from Woolfert' S Roost is extremely courteous. but never comes down to the state of being really glad to shake the hand of fellow mar. If you have something interesting to say he will listen closely but when that is done he simply folds his hands between his knees and looks at the floor while a peculiar little smile fits across hls face.
 Bailey of Texas.
 Senator Bailey of Texas while cold and severe in debate, is one of the most de- lightful conversationalists in American public life At St. Louis he would fre- quenty loiter in the hotel Hobbies and would be immediately surrounded by pub lie men anxious to hear him talk. In pri- yate conversation he has the knacl of making everyone who talks to him feel perfectly at home and always conveys the impression that he is reslly glad to see you. His one pet subject, aside from Polf- tics. Is horse racing. If you can tell him anything new about trotting horses he is all attention, and you are always wei come at his apartments. He owns a string of fine thoroughbred trotters and ire quently has entries in the grand circuit meets.
 Governor Vardaman.
 By far the most picturesque figure at St. Louis was Governor Vardaman of Mis- sissippi. With his long flowing hair. reach ing down to his shoulders and his unique record on the negro question, everybody was anxious to see him During the con yention he wore a linen, or crash, suit of clothes and this made him even more conspicuous. At the St Nicholas hotel he was always a center of attraction. but in q conversation with him his picturesque ness was forgotten and the real strength of the man was apparent.
 John Sharp Williams.
 John Sharp Williams of Mississippi, who proved to be the real leader of the con yentlon, easily carried off the honors for being the most homely man on the plat form. He is really so far from being handsome that his face is attractive. His lack of voice. however. was a serious handicap to him in debating the various questions at issue but in every light he came off victorious. Mir. Williams was at work all the time of the convention and