Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-07-11
THE CONVENTION.
An Exciting Tale of Unusually Exeit-
ing Session.

st. Louis. July 9.-Chairman Clark
resumed the gavel. today, and at $50
P. NJ, began his effort to call the con-
vention to order.
Mr.. Hopkins of Illinois. secured rec
ognition for A. M. Lawrence of that
state to read a telegram from the plat
form. The telegram was from William
r. Hearst, as follows:
II wish to thank my friends for their
unfaltering support. / think can best
express my appreciation of their loyal
ty by continued devotion to the prin-
ciples Of true Democracy, for which
we have fought and by loyal support of
the men chosen by the convention to
lead the Democratic party.
civilian Randolph Hearst"
A resolution expressing regret and
sympathy at the death of Delegate
Jacob E. Border OF North Dakota, in
the train wreck at Litchfield. July 3.
was offered by the North Dakota dele
cation and agreed to.
Mr.. Russell of Alabama, was on his
feet at once and remarked that, on ac-
count Of the sad news conveyed in the
resolution and to allow the members Of
the North Dakota delegation time to
confer, ne moved a recess be taken I'M
till $50 o'clock.
Cries of mo, no." were heard from all
sides, but Chairman Clark put the mo-
ton, when a protest was made that
there had been no second to it.
us the motion seconded?" asked Mr..
Clark. and amid another general cry of
mo. no." and a vigorous protest from
over the hall he put the question. The
vote was overwhelmingly against the
recess, but Mr.. Clark declared with
snap and a thump of his gavel that it
was carried, and at 800 the convention
was declared in recess for two hours.
Chairman Clark was in the Colise-
UNI 10 minutes before the hour fixed for
the convention to reconvene, this after
noon.
Shortly before the session convened
the rumor that Davis of West Virginia.
had been agreed upon by the leaders
for the Vice Presidency went rapidly
through the hall and delegates gathered
In groups to discuss the situation.
1t was 5.S7 o'clock when the first sign
of opening the session was made.
Chairman Clark belabored his table
with the heavy gavel, but said moth
ing. A little later he called the con-
vention to order and directed the dele
gates to take their seats.
Representative John Sharp Williams
Of Mississippi, was recognized, and
moved that nominating speeches be
limited to Is minutes and seconding
speeches to five minutes. and that not
more than four seconding speeches be
allowed for anv nomination.
T. H. Ball of Texas. offered a substi-
tute limiting the nominating speeches
to 10 minutes, leaving the time OF the
seconding speeches at five minutes, and
limiting the number to three.
Mr.. Williams at once withdrew his
motion in favor Of the substitute, which
was adopted without dissent.
The roll Of states was then called for
the presentation of candidates for Vice
President. Even at this time the gal
leries were less than half filled and
great areas of vacant seats were wish
bic.
Alabama was called several times
with no response, but finally Mr.. Rus
sell Of that state. announced that Ala
bama would give way to Illinois.
Samuel Alschuler of Illinois, arose
and announced that Freeman B. Norris
would speak for that state.
Mr.. Morris took the platform to name
James r. Williams of Illinois. Thanks
to the few people present he was able
to do what no speaker before him had
been able to do. and that was to make
his voice audible to every person in the
auditorium from his first words.
Cheers greeted the mention of Mr..
williams name, but they did not come
in great measure from the delegates.
Colorado yielded to Washington. and
Chairman Clark recognized Frederick
C.. Robertson of that state. who spoke
for ex-senator George Turner.
There was considerable confusion In
fhe aisles by this time and Mr., Rob-