The independent. [volume] (Lincoln, Neb.) 1902-1907, 1904-07-07

done, the convention cast unanimous
vote for Thomas E. Watson as can
didate for president.
AS soon as that matter was settled,
there seemed to arise demand from
all parts of the convention for the
nomination of T. III. TibbleS, editor
Of The Independent, for vice presi-
dent The demand came from every
section. the southern delegates being
as yociferous for the nomination as
were any from the north. Then came
q strange thing Texas and Kansas
were found voting solidly together!
In very short order Mr.. Tibbles was
declared the unanimous choice OF the
convention for the nomination for vice
president After this nomination every
sign of rancor disappeared. Southern
and northern delegates pressed around
Mr.. Tibbles and forced him to the pat
form where he made three-minute
speech which was received with such
rounds OF cheers that they would have
made the big building tremble, had it
not been constructed Of great granite
walls and steel Orders.
In the evening the new national
committee was organized and every
thing made ready for vigorous cam
paign. The delegates of no populist
convention ever started for home with
such unity of feeling, such enthusi-
asm and such confidence in the belief
that the party was entering upon
career OF advancement and usefulness,
as did those who left Springfield on
the evening of July s and the morn
ing OF July 6.
All the delegates received courteous
treatment at the hotels. The head
quarters were at the st. Nicholas. The
Lafayette hotel had big banner, ten
feet long, on which was inscribed:
Welcome. Nebraska Headquarters
There never was building con-
structed in which the acoustic quail
ties were worse than the Springfield
arsenal in which the convention was
held-echoes come from ceiling and
floor, both sides and both ends.
Enroute Wabash Train No. 8,
Springfield to Moberly, July 6.-(Edi-
torlal Correspondence -Shortly at
ter the appointed hour, II O'Clock noon,
July A. Chairman Edmisten raped for
order. Delegations from rs states and
territories were in their seats. But
aside from a little fringe of laboring
men, the citizens of Springfield were
conspicuous for their absence.
Prayer was offered by Rev. Thomas
Wadsworth, delegate from Indiana.
This was followed by the reading Of
the call by Chairman 10 A. Parker
Chairman Edmisten then introduced
Temporary Chairman L. H. Weller OF
Iowa and Temporary Secretary c. O.
De France of Nebraska-and the But
Ter" committee, Parker committee,
and Denver conference organization
committee passed into history.
Chairman Weller, who had been Sc
lected by the joint committees the
night previous, to fill A. G. Burkhart's
place-the latter being unable to at
tend the convention-upon assuming
the gavel, launched out on one of
those old-time speeches which have
given him national fame and the title
of Calamity Weller. Taken as a
whole his speech was we'll received;
but, Notwithstanding the past efforts
to heal over differences, he could not
refrain from injecting into it some
of the virus which was cultured"
during the several years preceding the
Denver conference. Perhaps his ex-
perience in Iowa justified tiff this
had been an Iowa and not a national
convention.
Through some hitch in the local ar
rangemonts the mayor of Springfield
was not present in person or by proxy
to welcome the convention. Where
the difficulty lay is not known exactly.
Col. Feltcr, on whom was laid the en-
tire burden Of local arrangements,
had, up to some four or five weeks
ago, carried the whole matter along
Swimmingly. But at the state con-
vention, June L. ii was decided that
he should have some assistance. and
A. G. Barton Of Danville was dele
gated 10 perform the work Of helping
Col. Felter complete the arrange
ments. Barton is good hearted,
well-meanlng man: but instead Of act
ing In harmony with Col. Felter. he
undertook 10 be the whole show him
self. with the usual result that many
things which might have been done