The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1904-07-08

into the hall an hour before the time
set for the opening OF the convention.
The big men, the directors Of political
strategy, were not as prompt in arriv-
ing. Beside the novelty OF viewing
great convention. many or them are
constantly haunted by the dread that
conspiracy is afoot to deprive them
of their seats. and fearful OF catas-
trophe in the great demand for tickets
which has existed for the last few days,
the anxious ones hurried to plant them
selves in their seats before any other
person should pre-empt them.
The hall itself is not well lighted by
the sun. there being windows on but
three sides, and these are close to 9TH
er buildings. There is no opening in
the roof to permit the escape Of the
heated air. and even before one-tenth
Of the delegates had arrived, it had
become uncomfOrtably warm. The
windows open but han way, and are
on the level of the top row Of seats
in the gallery. The prospects for
warm convention, aside from any polit-
ical heat that may be engendered dur
ing the proceedings were therefore of
a promising character.
The Drawing for Seats.
In the drawing for seats, Pennsyi-
vania and Michigan were the fortu-
nate ones securing locations directly
bama was directly behind Pennsyl-
vania on the right Of the hall facing
the speakers stand. Illinois was on
the left of Alabama, the keystone state
covering the front of both. Directly
behind Illinois was Colorado, behind
Colorado came Kentucky and then two
thirds of the way back TO the rear or
the hall was Nebraska Alaska was
| the only territory that drew good po-
sition, being we'll up on the left, while
Ohio and Oklahoma were clear back
at the end of the hall. New York was
we'll fixed being in the front row just
to the left of Michigan. Indiana was
directly behind New York, while Mas
sachusets Jared the worst of any Of the
great states, being in the last row with
Oklahoma.
By the time the hall was one-third
filled the heat began to increase to
| noticeable degree.
The great majority of delegates and
visitors had provided themselves with
| fans and the auditorium viewed from
the speakers desk was one yellow flut-
| ter of the palm leaf fans, bObbed back
and forth. The delegates lost but lit
| tie time in getting outside of their coats
and the complexion of the lower part
| of the hall, black at first, became light
er and lighter as the coats disappeared
and the shirt sleeves became evident.
With the exception of the temperature,
which was a serious drawback to the
illusion, the effect was not unlike
slow snow fall, gradually whitening
the surface of the ground.
Texas Gets the First Applause.
The first ripple of applause that went
across the convention came from the
galleries when the Texas 4deIega ton
marched in, bearing their flag of red,
white and blue with the single star.
A white silk banner bearing the in
scription: Florida Democracy, Safe
and Sound" was borne into the hall
shortly after the Texans had arrived
and was also greeted with applause.
This was five minutes before II, and
up to that time not a handicap had been
offered to any man who had entered
the hail.
The platform was crowded with
members of the national committee
but the crowd paid no attention to them
The Philippine delegation came in with
their banner, which was not floating
free like those that had entered before
it. 1t was an American flag of silk,
wrapped closely around the staff, and
tied hard and fast. This was done, ac-
cordiIg to one of the Philippine dele
cation, with deliberate intent" as if
to show that the Democratic conven-
ton did not recognize the Philippines
as part of the nation.
Chairman Guffey,. of Pennsylvania,
strobe in closely behind the Philippine
flag and was heartily cheered.
Convention Called to Order.
Exactly at noon Chairman j. K.
Jones. of the national committee called
the convention to order. His appear
ance on the platform and the sound of
his gavel brought forth a cheer from
the floor and galleries.
x~Sl,.o
geant-at-arms to preserve order. He
continued belaboring the table with
his gavel, but it was some time be-
fore quiet reigned. Californifs ap-
pearance, with a huge silk banner
and silk American flags and a yell,
California! California! Hearst!
Hearst" caused cheering. Just as
reservation after marching up and
down the center aisle. down in the
center aisle. William J. Bryan. who
had come in unnoticed, arose in his
place and was given cheer. Then
an enterpEising member Of the Mon
tana delegation created a diversion
by vigorously ringing a cow-bell.
Again Chairman Jones demanded
that the convention be in order. and
at once directed the secretary to read
the call for the convention. Applause
followed the reading of the call. AZ
ter quiet was restored, Chairman
Jones announced that the convention
would be opened by prayer by Rev.
John S. Cannon, pastor Of the Grand
Avenue Baptist church, of st. Louis.
During the invocation the conven-
ton stood. DR.. Cannon's voice was
entirely inadequate to reach even
the center of the hall. The prayer
occupied several minutes.
Enthusiastic cheering greet ed the
chairman'S announcement that ne
was directed by the national commit
tee to appoint John S. Williams tenn
porary chairman. and c. A. Walsh,
temporary secretary, and John I.
Martin, temporary sergeant-at-arms.
Mr.. Williams Made Temporary Chair
man.
The chairman appointed j. Z,
Duffy, of Pennsylvania, and NJ. z.
Tarpey, of California, to escort Mr..
Williams to the chair. The platform
hx-