The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-07-07
Conservatives Allow Ptnt Up Enthusiasm of Eight Years
 To Burst Forth
OVATION FOR WILLIAMS
 AT CLOSE OF HIS ADDRESS
Bryan Is Given Only Slight Applause When Recognized Among the Ne braskans-Parker Is Still
 Far in the Lead.

St. Louis, July s--The democratic nat ional convention met today, listened 10 an extended speech from Representative John Sharp Williams its temporary chairman, appointed the committees neces- gary to nerfeet a permanent organiza- ton. and adjourned.
 In a session lasting two hours and nfty minutes one striking incident overshadow- ed all other proceedings. That was the enthusiastic and prolonged cheering which greeted the name of Grover Cleveland. While the outburst which greeted the name of the former democratic president before its last syllable had fallen from the lips of the temporary chairman. was noteworthy in itself, 1t magnifed by the contrast with the greetings accorded the actual persons of men who stood for all that had been opposed to Mir. Cleveland within the party during the last eight years.
 James K. Jones of Arkansas, chairman of the national committee, went on to the platform and took his seat unnoticed. Practically no greeting was given him when he faced the convention with gavel in hand.
 There were other stalwart lieutenants of the Nebraska leader who entered the hall unacclaimed and lastly MT. Bryan himself, who for the first time during the national campaigns, was greeted with silence. Eight minutes after the gavel fell the twice named candidate of his party passed the main entrance and sought his seat unheralded and unheeded. A few moments later he arose and push ed his way to a seat nearer the aisle where. standing moment to give greet ings to friends he was caught sight of and appauded.
 But the measure of applause was but ripple when compared to the storm call ed forth by Cleveand's name
 Conservatives Improve Opportunity.
 Listening attsntively to the democratic doctrine laid down by Mir. Williams, the conservatives found occasion for the first demonstration when reference was made to the record of former President Cleve- land. All the party interest which had laid dormant through two national campaigns was released as by the touch of trig- ger The name of Cleveland was echoed from I thousand throats. Hats, handker- chiefs fans and arms were waved, dele gates and spectators stood on their chairs and the last semblance ofA order was turned into confusion, which Aconvention officiai1 were powerless to sufaue.
 While the outburst was at It's Deight, MT. Bryan's following attempted to convert the deur onstra ton into applause for their leader The name of Bryan was yelled lustily, but in vain. Shouting of Grover and "Cleveland' was renewed, and the Bryan following was hissed. The greatest significance was attached to the showing made by the conservatives Their aoso- lute control of the convention is no longer doubted, even by those who have hereto fore declined tc be convinced. The nonl- ration of Judge Parker for President is assured beyond any possibility of dsfeat-
 An incident to the demonstration was a> altercation between Sergeant-at-Arms John l. Martin and an over-zeaious man who was giving vent to his enthusiasm which convention officials deemed offen- give As Chairman Williams was knock ing splinters from his desk in an effort to round The convention into order. so that he could proceed with his address, a man in the vicinity of the New York deiega- tion was seen motioning delegates ana spectators to continue their appiause' anu encouraging the galleries to ignore the thairman's order for silence. The man resented interference from the sergeant at-armo. and in the end was elected rom the convention hall. The disturbance was of a rough and tumble order, though no blows were struck.
 Coliseum Admirably Adapted.
 The great coliseum where the conyen- ton is being held is admirably adapted to accommodate the surging crowds which pressed for admission as soon as the doors were opened. Before Il o'clock the spectators seats began to fill, although the space on the floor allotted to delegates and their a1ternates remained barren un- til noon, when the session was called to order That the duty of decorating the immense hall was entrusted to skilled hands, was apparent from the first glimpse of the interior. The general eff feet is a mammoth arched canopy of buff, ribbed and fringed in white, with the walls formed of alternate strips of red, white and blue. The balconies were dress cd in white bunting, gracefully caught uu every few yards. Medallions bearing the coats of arms of the states are placed about the galleries at regular intervals, hui the only flowers used were in the settings for the platform One of the crowning features is an immense furled tlay which is pendant from the centre of inc roof. The flag will be dropped into ,,or, T, ence when a nomination for Pres idelt has been made.
 The arrival of dignitaries attracted com paratively little attention.
 David B. Hill, chalfinah or the New york delegation and other boomers of 1udee Parker, Tammany Leader Murphy, Mr. Bryan. democratic members of the senate and many others supreme in na- tinnal affairs and conspicuous before the country. took their places in the hall rractica.ly unnotced. In some instances tbsre was local applause in the vicinity If the seats of some prominent figures. but that was all. MT. Bryan entered the hall first without any recognition from the galleries He retraced his steps some minutes later. and held a reception in the center aisle. Friends gathered around him to shake hands. and then his presence was noted The cheering. however. was not prolonged.
 Many Persons of Distinction.
 Many persons of distinction were given places on the platform. Among the dis tiueuished visitors were Mrs. Charles Mer-