The Columbus weekly dispatch., 1908-07-16
BRYAN AND KERN
HEAD THE TICKET
j. W. KERN OF INDIANA WILL
BE THE COMMONER'S RUN
MING MATE, AND HE
Is ACCEPTABLE.
Both Candidates Were Nominated by
Acclamation - Great Bryan
Demonstration Was Fea-
fure of Convention.


the standard bearer of the Demo
cratic party. He was nominated BY
acclamation at the national conven-
ton in Denver at three o'clock Fri
day morning, his selection having
been greeted with great enthusiasm
The speech placing the peerless lead
er in nomination was delivered by
Ignatius J. Dunn, of Nebraska. and
the first mention Of Bryan's name
was greeted with an outburst of
cheers. The cheering continued for
thirty Minutes, during which time
pandemonium reigned throughout
the convention hall. The standards
Of the States We're wrenched from
their moorings and borne through
the hall to the platform, while ban
ners bearing the portrait of the COM
moner We're waved on high and the
multitude Joined in the long contin-
ued tribute.
The formal address of Congress
man Henry D. Clayton, of Alabama,
permanent chairman of the conven-
tion, was delivered at the opening
session Thursday, and proved TO be
a caustic arraignment of the failure
the Roosevelt policies and an enun-
citation of Democratic doctrine It
was a magnificent effort, and the
ringing voice of the orator and the
emphasis of his gestures stirred the
immense audience to frequent dem
nf h4rcT
The adoption of the platform had
taken place just previous to the nom
ination of Mr.. Bryan The conven-
tion was ready for the platform soon
after the night session began, bur
the platform committee did not com
plete its work until nearly eleven !
o'clock, and the intervening time was
devoted to speech making, addresses /
having been delivered by Champ /
Clark Of Missouri, Judge NJ. J. Wade /
of Iowa, and Thos. P. Ball of Texas. |
The selection of a vice-presfdential /
candidate took place on Friday, and /
John w. Kern of Indiana was unan- I
imous1y nominated. Strong pressure /
was brought to bear on Judge Gray I
to induce him to accept the nomina- |
ton, but Josiah Marvel, his campaign /
manager, declared that under no cir /
oumstances would the Delaware man
allow his name to go before the con-
yention as a candidate for second
place. It soon became apparent that
Kern would be selected on the first
ballot, and he was nominated by ac-
clamation. The Bryan forces faY-
ored Kern from the first, and the
commoner is thoroughly satisfied
with his running mate.
John w. Kern was twice a candi-
date for governor of Indiana. He is
a close friend of Thomas Taggart,
formerly chairman of the Democratic
national committee, and has been an
active figure in the Democratic poll
tics of Indiana for many years.
Mr.. Kern was born December 90,
1S49, in Alto, Howard county, Ind ,
His father was an old fashioned
country doctor and came originally
from Virginia. Young Kern attend
ed the common schools, but was aid
ed in his studies by his father. The
boy was graduated from the State
University of Michigan, and began
the practice of law at the seat of his /
native county. {
In 1871 he was elected city attor- :.
ney and served several terms. He I
became celebrated as an orator, and (
through his connection with a num-
oer of criminal cases won distinction :
rs a lawyer. IN 1854 he was nomi- :
mated by the Democrats for reporter a
IF the supreme court He served e
Jour years in this Office.
In 1SSS he resumed the practice r
IF law, devoting himself to issues Y
INVOLVING corporation and constitu- 9
iona1 law. He was appointed by At :
orney General Olney, of President
administration, to assist f
n the prosecution Of the wreckers t
n the indianapolis National Bank, n
md succeeded in convicting the Grim :
mails and sending them to the pen Il
tentiary. a
Mr.. Kern served In the State SEN =
tie of Indiana during the sessions c,
Il 1893 and 1895. He ran for gov a
rnor in 1900, but was defeated. He q
5 thirty-third degree Free Mason, :,
knight of Pythias and an Elk. d