The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-07-06

ement seems able to rally has taken
a great deal of life out of the Situa-
tlon- While the contest over the
platform and the second place on the
ticket afford a great deal of interest
when fought out in the convention
itself, the majority of delegates those
who come to see a convention and
shout for their favorites, are almost
wholly interested in the head of the
ticket. The result is that an air of
apathy pervades the Hobbies and 9TH
er places where the rank and file as
semble.
Contest on Platform Coming.
A real contest on the platform is
assured. No one yet knows what
the platform will be. but it is known
that the majority draft will prove sat
isfactory to Bryan and his followers
and there are enough of them to make
an interesting fight on the DOR of the
convention. The developments today
before the National Committee also
indicate that Bryan will be in evil
dence when the Credentials Commit
tee reports.
Mr.. Bryan was engaged during the
day with callers, many of them repre-
senting aspirants for the Presidential
nomination. He discussed the situa-
himself to none. Among his visitors
were some members of the North
Carolina delegation who insisted that
Mr.. Bryan should state in definite
terms whether it was his purpose to
bolt the ticket in case it should not be
to his liking. He only replied that he
would answer the question when the
ticket was named.
The election by the committee of
John Sharpe Williams for temporary
chairman, seems to give general sat
isfaction. No determination has been
reached as to who will be the perma-
nent chairman, but several men have
been suggested and possibly all will be
considered by the committee on per-
manent organization before selection
is made.
The Fourth Against Politics.
The Exposition, summer garden,
Fourth of July celebrations and other
attractions won out over politics to-
day in the contest for the attention
of the delegations. Every train
brought in hundreds of politicians who
after taking possession of their hotel
accommodations, pursued their indi
vidual tactics in seeking holiday
pleasures. There was little in the po-
litical programme to hold the visitors.
Caucuses of the various State dele
cations generally went over until to-
morrow or Wednesday. The day open
ed clear and warm. Consequently
trains and street cars bound for the
Fair grounds were loaded down.
No lack of patriotism exists in st.
Louis on Independence day, if the
deafening reports of cannon crack
erS may be taken as an illustration OF
that quality. The roar was inceSSant
and to q majority was somewhat an
moving.
Toward the middle of the afternoon
quiet was afforded by heavy
rain storm, which drove the noise-pro-
ducers indoors and wet many stocks
of fireworks. Even then a desultory
firing was maintained by throwing the
crackers from windows and doorWays
for explosion in the streets. The rain
brought a welcome GOODNESS as well
as relief from the roar of street eX
blossoms.
National Committee ut Work.
Around the jefferson Hotel where
| the Democratic National Committee
was i'm all day session considering the
manner in which the contests were to
be heard there was little diminution
i'm the crowd. The Hobbies were filled
with persons who waited with great
interest the result of the deliberations
hear the contests and the waiting
crowds gained no substantial informa-
ton to reward their patience.
At the headquarters of the various
candidates there were many confer
ences but these were not of a char
acter to draw the masses. On the
whole the thousands known to be in
| the city for the convention were less
| in evidence than they will be at any
| day prior to or during the convention.
1t is estimated that most of the del
egations have arrived. A number of
| these have brought marching clubs,
but the day has not been propitious
| for parading. The rainy afternoon
discouraged many of the marchers,
while the small boy. prone to explode
| his fireworks in the ranks of the clubs
| made others timid. The Kings County
| Democracy of Brooklyn to the num-
| Der of about two hundred got out
| in the interest of Parker and headed
| by a local band, the club paraded
| down town streets. During the day
a number of Judson Harmon's sup
| porters from Ohio arrived and estab-
lished headquarters at the Jefferson.
| They say that thirty-five members of
L