Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1904-07-13
DEMOCRATS MEET
IN CONVENTION
National Gathering i'm st. Louis-Temporary
Chairman Villa ms'*Speech-Cheers
for Cleveland-Brya Loses
Determined Fight.

st. Louis, July 1.-THE democratic ma
tional convention met Wednesday, lis
tened to an extended speech from Rep
resentative John Sharp Williams, it's
temporary chairman, appointed the COM
mittees necessary to perfect permanent
organization, and adjourned In a ses-
sion lasting two hours and so minutes,
one striking incident overshadowed all
other proceedings. That was the en-
thusiastic and prolonged cheering which
greeted the name of Grover Cleveland
Convention Called to Order.
At three minutes after II Chairman
J. X. Jones, of the national committee.
called the convention to order. His ap-
pearance on the platform and the sound
of his gavel brought forth cheer from
the floor and galleries.
Applause followed the reading of the
call. After quiet was restored, Chair
ton would be opened by prayer by Rev.
John F. Cannon, pastor of Grand Avenue
Baptist church, of st. Louis.
Temporary Officers Announced.
Enthusiastic cheering greeted the
chairman's announcement that he was
directed by the national committee to
appoint John S. Williams temporary
chairman and G. A. Walsh temporary
secretary and John I. Martin temporary
sergeant-at-arms.
Williams Speech Cheered.
Mr.. Williams was attired in a light
gray suit, and white waistcoat. He
delivered his address calmly and with
out gestures. Several cries of Louder,
louder" interrupted Mr.. Williams as
he began, his clear but not powerful voice
at first failing to reach parts of the hall.
AS Mr.. Williams proceeded, his voice in
creased in volume, and the delegates
listened attentively. The convention
appeared considerably amused at Mr..
Williams humorously sarcastic refer
ences to the mutual admiration soci-
ety. of Mr.. Roosevelt and Mr.. Root
and when he read eulogy by the
president on Mr.. Root, the delegates
laughed and applauded. Mr.. Williams
spoke in an ironical tone that caught the
fancy of the convention and was inter
rupted time and again by laughter
Cheering was evoked by the speakers
statement that Mr.. Roosevelt had found
praise for only three presidents
George Washington, Abraham Lin
coin and himself
Scores Republican Party.
Passing from the discussion of Mr.
Roots speech, the speaker took up the
republican platform. Mr.. Williams
drew a picture of the country's condi.
ton at the time of President Cleveland's
first inauguration, declaring that much
| of the distress that came in the early
COS was due to republican misrule that
1 had gone before Under BENJAMIN
| Harrison, he said, for three years, al
| hope had Well-nigh vanished from thu
business world. He scored the attitude
of the republican party on the Snancia
! question, declaring that it had beer
full of inconsistencies and absurdities
He mentioned the name of Mr.. Bryan
in discussing the price of wheat during
the first Bryan-McKinley campaign. Tn,
utterance of the name called for a little
applause and some cheers. A secon(
later he mentioned the name again ant
the applause was not repeated.
A mention of the name of Grover
Cleveland was cheered Justify. A mo-
ment later the first scene of the session