Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-07-09

1
! spectators with a long program of
popular selections. Under the glow of
thousands of electric bulbs the con-
vention hall showed to the best ad-
vantage. With the vast audience in it's
place, the night scene was a brilliant
one.
The officers of the convention and
the members of the credentials COM
mittee were in a panic as the time ap-
preached for the opening of the con-
ventiOn, because the majority report
of the committee was missing. The
precious document was in the possess
sion of the stenographer and he could
not be found. The same individual was
also in possession of a speech to be
delivered by Rep. James of Kentucky,
who was in mental distress because of
the absence of his Grafton.
The convention officials after a short
conference held Immediately after Mr..
Callaghan had rushed away on anoth-
er hot scene, decided that no work
should be undertaken by the conven-
ton tonight except to consider the re-
port of the credentials committee. De-
bate on the majority and minority re-
ports, it was agreed, should be limited
to 80 minutes on each side. The report
of the committee on permanent organ
iZation and the speech of Chairman
Clayton went over until tomorrow.
At 8.15 there were still many empty
seats in the delegates section, but the
galleries held nearly their full capac-
ity.
At $50 the report of the committee on
credentials was brought to the hall.
but Chairman Bell had wandered off
and could not be found and the dele
gates and spectators put in another
period of inactivity while pages and
messengers We're securing the hall to
bring the chairman to his desk and
his duties. The floor sceen was one of
much confusion, the aisles being con-
gested with delegates either pressing
their way to their places or engaged
in earnest consultation. The aisles are
quite narrow and tonight they seemed
impossible.
Col. Guffey, about whom the storm
of the night was expected to center,
, appeared on the floor shortly after s
, o'clock and Immediately was surround
ed by number of his lieutenants and
sympathiZers who We're prepared to
take UP the battle in his behalf Col.
Guffey seemed pale, but determined.
When Chairman Bell had been
. brought back after bringing down his
, gavel in a rapid tattoo he gave vent
once to his stereotyped cry. "the con-
vention will be in order, gentlemen will
take their seats" The convention,
however. did not at once come to or
der nor did the gentlemen "take their
seats" for the reason that a number
or letter carriers were distributing
mail among the delegates and for a
time they were more interested in let
f ters from home than in reports of con-
, vention matters. The galleries finally
helped the chairman out and their
storms of cries quoted the tumult on
the floor. 1t was S37 when the business
, OF the evening was taken up
! Mr.. Ormond of Florida was recog-
nlzed to give the report. Richmond
Pearson Hobson of Alabama. was in
vited to address the convention
, Mingled with the cheers for Hobson,
We're many cries of NO, No" Chair
! man Bell put to the motion to a viva
, voce vote and there was a storm of
AYE" and NO" some of the delegates
, experimenting their negative votes by
demands of Give us committee re-
ports; we want to do business"
Cheers and a few Kisses followed
: Hobson to the stand, and he received
a warm welcome as he stood behind
Chairman Bell
a He then began at some length to
lead up to discussion of the Japanese
incidents of several months ago at
I Vancouver and San Francisco.
d, After Mr. Hobson had been speaking
I for Is minutes, the crowd began to
! grow restless and cries of Time" came
f from floor and galleries.
! Chairman Bell called for order, say
, ing the speaker would conclude in a
few moments
> In concluding his address, Congress
, man HObson declared that, if the
q Democratic party was successful in
the election, he believed that it would
, before the end of four years have d
q great foreign war on it's hands"
o Instantly there came from the con-
vention a chorus of mingled groans,
cat calls. Kisses and cries of NO, No"
Hobson was compelled to cease his
! speech temporarily but stood calm and
l tense determined to finish his address
s as soon as he was given an opportunity
l to do so.
4 MY cOuntrymen, my message is
nearly through" said Mr.. Hobson
+ when he had attention. cry of
a amen" set a gale of laughter over the
y hall.
, Il want to say to YOU went on Mr..
Hobson, gritting his teeth i'm deter
mnation, that not so very long ago
| the President of the United States said
, in my presence There exists the great
est probability of war with Japan
3 NO, No. shouted the crowd and
there was an outburst of cries which
| continued for several minutes.
. Gentlemen" said Chairman Bell
this speaker will be allowed to fin
9 ish, and, if he is interrupted again by
: the galleries the sergeant-at-arms will
be directed to clear them
This announcement was greeted with
:, cheers, which sprang from the coast
delegations.
"If this great war comes,' said Mr..
;. Hobson with intense earnestness. 1.-The
party upon which the responsibility
: somes will be ground to powder. | be-