Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1904-07-01
Convention Aroused to High Pitch ty
Popular Congressman.
tARTY PLATFORM is ADOPTED
One Plank Proposes Reduction OF
Representation Of Certain Southern
States-Contest Over Number Of
Delegates From Hawaii.

national convention took on a pictur
esqueness and Observation-Disclosures Wed
nesday which the day before wa.
looked for in vain. From the moment
he was escorted to the platform tC
WELD the gavel as the permanent
chairman, The entire atmosphere OF
he convention changed. Enthusiasm
which had lain dormant. burst forth
and applause rang true and hearty
lie made a speech and the audience
cheered, whether he spoke jocularly or
/ in serious vein lie was the enter
tainer, in fact. he was the convention
From the standpoint of political i'm
portance the adoption of the party
/ platform was the event Of the day. IL
contained declarations of party policy
that are TO form the basis OF much of
the oratory in the coming campaign.
But the permanent chairmans person.
atty almost overshadOwed the pla,.
form.
The second day Of the convention
might have been the close had ii been
the desire of the assembled delegates
Early in the day a movement was ia.
augurated 10 proceed with the nominal
tions. but the original program. which
was prepared 10 extend over three
days, prevailed and the standard
bearers for the 1904 Republican cam
paign will be named formally today.
Live party enthusiasm aroused by
the hearty reception given Uncle Joe"
Cannon. as he is known from coast 20
coast, spread even TO routine business
and eliminated in a contest over the
number Of delegates 10 which Hawai-
was entitled The conflict was the
first and viii doubtless be the last on
the floor 81 the convention.
The Platform.
One OF the remarkable features con-
corning the adoption OF the platform
was the fact that it has been the sub
feet OF administrative scrutiny and ma
tional interest for many weeks and
was accepted without dissenting
vote.
In addition 20 the tariff plank and
other resolutions which always have
had prominent position in Republi. |
IAN platforms. there were INCORPORATED |
several clauses OF striking interest |
)ne OF these is a plank looking 10 the /
'eduction OF the representation Of Ger.
ain southern states in the electoral |
college and in congress. Il is built
ipon what Is known as the Payne res
'lution offered eight years ago and the
quay resolution OF forty years ago. but
'oes further than either The plank
llrects an Investigation TO ascertain
whether there have been unconstitu-
ional acknowledgements Of voters in
ny state. ard II 50 demands a reduc. |,
ion Of the representation Of such
jates in congress. with the conse
uent reduction in the electoral col.
'ge and in national conventions. The
al significance Of pledges for the con
nuance Of the provisions Of the
hinese exclusion act and for the fur l.
lerance Of all legitimate efforts 10 on.
lin for American citizens abroad {
ithout discrimination. the rights al
r
ed when read in the convention.
Visitors were not 30 early about con.
ention hall WEDNESDAY. hut when Mr. II
DOT called the convention 20 order '
loruy after noon. the Coliseum pre. {
'nted a more inspiring appearance %
an on the preceding day.
While delegations interchanred
cas- on the floor or sought their
ats the convention was called 70 or.
r abruptly by the temporary chair.
an, Mr. Root. After prayer bv the .,
Nv. Thomas Z. Cox the business OF
Q day began NJ
The announcement OF the hernia.
nj organization for the convention u
irted the continuous demonstration IL
llch followed the introduction Of
eaker Cannon as permanent chair.
IN lie was escorted to the platform ia
committee consisting OF Hon
I'm ID. Long. Senator Cullom and -.
preventative Burton of Ohio. The
nporary and permanent chairman
u In the center Of the stage wbero y.
~ ciasped hands in a cordial greet. Nj
: AT this moment the applause was
fening, the convention rising TO its ~
t. ~ 80 ~, 9
speaker Cannon's oratory was de. )
edly TO the liking Of the convention ca
established cordial relations even ~
ore he lad uttered a word He s
cd IN silence for moment on n Lii
gue-like projection in the center q,
platform. RE was pausIng 10
ak how TO begin. The speaker had -
tten his first speech and had tried TSs
memorize IT, But he did not have tn
slightest intention Of following q De
knew the inspiration that would ito
had come-and he inst IA,
tied free hand 10 cut loose. per
So, let us ramble awhile" That e tbe
Il he said. And then he abandoned thi
self to his limltless store OF pro. 30
nd political sagacity and his orig. tar
and characteristic vocabulary o ,sf,
oughout his address the cheering cas-
generous, intelligent and appreci r'3ma
o. eli