Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1904-07-08
NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC CON-
VENTION.

| efVH ~ ~ ilOui0 tio'NN = NosN'N~f 49, -
the report of the committee on credentials
had been called for.
The convention held two sessions and
adjourned until 10 o clock this morning.
The early session, which began shortly
after 10 O'Clock, was brief. Its only i'm
portant incident was the adoption of the
of the report of the committee on rules
and order of business.
The failure of the credentials commit
tee to report caused adjournmenta at lLO4
clock until 2 p. m.
When the convention reassembled a
stormy, exciting session began, as was
stated in the Gazette. As Mr. Bryan
entered the hall an ovation was started
and lasted over 20 minutes. The Parker
men declared this ouiburst had been pre-
arranged by the Hearst men and Tamma'
ny, so they started counter-demonstra-
ton, but the main demonstration was in
tended for Mr.. Bryan, and his name
sounded above everything else.
After the convention resumed business
the report of the credentials committee
was presented by Chairman Head, OF
Tennessee. This declared in favor of all
the sitting delegates, except the one from
the Twenty-frst Illinois district. 1t sus-
tanned the rights of the Porto Rican dele
gates and also gave those from the Phil
ippines seats and votes, reversing the
action of the committee on rules.
Mr.. Bryan mounted the platform to
read minority report in favor OF seat
ing the Harrison and Hearst delegates
in the other Illinois contests. He also
made a strong speech in support OF
his attitude, declaring the men who
ran the State convention in Illinois
were on a level with train robbers.
There was further debate, which led Mr..
Bryan tomake second speech. The con-
vention voted, 647 to 800, against him
and in favor of the full majority report,
thus showing that while it gave him the
tribute of great demonstration, things
we're different as far as votes were con-
cerned.
The speech was received with tremen-
dous applause from all parts of the hall.
Some cf the members of the Virginia
delegation were so impressed with Mr..
Bryan's eloquence that they were inclin-
ed to vote for the minority report on the
Illinois contest. There was a hurried
consultation, and after several members
had ex pressed their individual views,
Senator Martin calmly remarked; 81
think it would be wise to sustain the ac-
ton of our representation on the Gre
dentials committee. He was present and
heard all the arguments submitted and
in his judgement the majority report
should be adopted. Under the circum-
stances | think we should vote to sus-
tain the committee. When the con-
vention was polled a solid vote went up
from Virginia against the Bryan minor
ity report.
In supporting his minority report in
favor of the Harrison delegation Mr..
Bryan was good-tempered and was
loudly applauded by the convention
when he declared he hopedtO see plat
form adopted and a ticket nominated
that every democrat would approve and
support, and that he regretted to intro
duce a subject of contention.
But having been criticized sharply by
Colonel Menzies, of Indiana, and Mr.,
Head, chairman of the committee, who
replied to him, Mr.. Bryan threw his
personality into the fight in his closin
speech, arraigning the contestees, Hop
kins and Cable, AS supporters OF Palmer
and Buckner. His speech was of the
characteristic sort. and aroused much
enthusiasm among the delegates as well
as throughout the galleries.
The speakers in support of the ma
jority report were subjected to ruilianly
Interruptions and shouts of disapproval
During most of the time the confusion
was such that they could not be heard
at all. This was manifestly not less an
moving to Mr.. Bryan than 70 the rest OF
the convention.
The committee on permanent organl-
zation reported, recommending Repre-
sentive Champ Clark, of Missouri, for
permanent chairman. He took the chair
and made speech, discussing the is
sues of the campaign.
His speech was an able effort from
start to finish. He said Gin his haste,
King David said that all men are liars.
Had he been in Chicago while Senator
Henry Cabot Lodge was reading the re-
publican platform, he would no doubt
have pronounced the same opinion more
leisurely, for surely there never was
more mendacity packed into the same
81 ace in any document, purporting TO be
grave State paper. Our contention is
that the government shall be restored to
the democl atic-republican basis on which
the fathers Of the republic intended it to
rest, aud shall be made once more gov
eminent of the people, by the people,
and for the people, instead of govern
ment of the classes, by the classes and
for the classes" The speaker then
made just attack upon the policy Of
the present executive in virtually at
tempting to foist one man power upon
the people of the country. The Philip
pine policy, tariff laws and other UNI
Just measures were then handled with
out gloves, and the recklessness Of the
administration severely censured. Mr..
Clarke subsequently gave a resume of the
country's history during republican rule,
and among other things said "In 1878,
with a republican high tariff in full force
and affect, when General Grant was Just
haOin nino hia saoond form whan the re-