The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1908-07-16


It's impressive magnitude and spectac-
ular effects than for the business ac-
complished. 1t gave, however, the op-
portunity for the awakening echoes of
enthusiasm, the keynote speech of
Theodore A. Bell, temporary officer, a
heated skirmish in the Pennsylvania
delegation and tribute of homage
and respect to the memory of the late
Grover Cleveland. But the enthusiasm
of the opening session was compare
lively brief, intermittent and tempest
uous, without that long sustained and
frenZied clamor which is still reserved
for the future.
The initial outburst of enthusiasm
came just as the session was opening,
when silken banner bearing the por-
trait of Bryan was displayed The
appearance of the temporary presid-
Ing officer, Bell of California, was an
other signal for enthusiastic outburst.
In strong, far-carrying voice and easy
gesture he delivered the opening ad-
dress, a full hour long, with resound-
Ing passages on the righting of public
wrongs, punctuated with yells as some
phrase tickled the fancy of the throng.
1t was noticeable that great applause
came from the delegates at Bells i'm
passiohed declaration that the writ of
Injunction shall not be turned into an
instrument of oppression. Again there
was uproarious applause as he ar
raigned Republican campaign contri-
buttons without cash register"
After referring to Taft as "bsect-
ed candidate" and demanding "but
one man in the White House at
time" he adroitly turned his speech
into panegyric for Mr.. Bryan, the
reference to the Nebraska leader
bringing forth a tumultuous demon
stration.
Nebraska at the Front.
Immediately in front and under the
presiding officers eye were ranged
the Nebraska delegation, bronzed sons
of the west, headed by the cowboy
mayor, Dahlman, the personal spokes-
man of Bryan. Well in front were the
New York cohorts, with G. F. Murphy
cold and impenetrahle, and Judge
Parker, rather serious faced. Farther
back Colonel Guffey was the smiling
center of his Pennsylvania adherents,
and near him, James Kerr. who is
struggling to displace Guffey and take
up the leadership. Illinois was to the
left center, with the rotund Roger
Sullivan to the fore Farther back
Tom Johnson, the fighting mayor of
Cleveland, moved among his ad-
herents until the gavel sent him to
his place among the distinguished
guests upon the platform. Near him
there sat notable group, the veneer
able Senator Daniel of Virginia, a
type of the old-time southerner, with
Towne, the vice presidential candi-
date and orator, and the tall, blonde,
waspy congressman, Sulzer of New
York. With the Virginians could be
seen Governor Swanson; with Nevada.
Governor Dickerson and Senator New
lands; with Kentucky, Senator Nc
Creary; with Missouri, Senator Stone
and occasionally ex-governor Dockery,
and the redoubtable' Champ Clark;
with Idaho, former Senators Dubois
and Heitfeld. Minnesota, with the
Johnson lieutenants, was poorly
placed in the rear, while Delaware,
with the Gray forces, were better off
in the right foreground. on to the
left the presidents daughter, Mrs.
Alice Longworth, in fetching gown
and hat with flowing plume, smiled
from one Of the boxes, and from an
other box looked out the daughter OF
the Nebraska leader. Mrs. Ruth Bry-