The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1908-07-10
VAST CROWD PRESENT
Opening Session Of Democratic
National Convention.
SCENE AN ANIMATING ONE

by Adoption of Resolutions Of Re-
speet to the Memory Of the Late
Grover Cleveland.
Denver, July 8.-The Democratic
national convention began its sessions
amid scenes of stirring animation.
The vast amphitheater of the Audi
forum was packed with 10000 people,
an ever moving, intense and %expectant
throng, moved by patriotic airs and
stirred into tumultuous demonstration
as a silken portrait of Bryan was
borne within the hall.
1t was just 1920 when Chairman
Taggart Of the national committee
called the convention to order. Bishop
]. j.. Keane of Cheyenne, Wyo., pro-
nounced the opening invocation, an
Impressive plea for divine grace on
the conventions deliberations. The
convention promptly perfected the pre-
liminary organization, electing Theo.
dore A. Bell Of California as temporary
chairman. The keynote speech OF
the temporary presiding officer start
ed the echoes ringing and brought
forth enthusiastic demonstrations for
Bryan and the other party idols. The
appointment CT the convention COM
mittees and the presentation of reso-
lutions OF respect to the memory OF
ill., J-t- ,-,, Cl,,y1Joy.l aor,,,1nfnl
the formal work of the day.
Public interest was entirely cen
tered in the opening session of the
convention and aside from this the
early part Of the day brought few de-
velopments of Importance as to candi-
Ing drift of sentiment continued to-
ward Bryan and the enthusiasm of the
opening session only emphasized his
commanding hold of the convention.
Taggart Calls for Order.
Shortly after II o'clock Chairman
Thomas Taggart of the national COM
mittee brought down his gavel with a
resounding whack and called the con-
vention to order. Cheers followed the
blow of the gavel and Chairman Tag
CART, as soon as they had subsidized,
spoke as follows:
"As chairman of the Democratic ma
tional committee it becomes my pleas
ing duty to call this convention to Or
der; and. in SO doing, l cannot refrain
from the suggestion that in numbers,
In the PERSONAL Of the delegates, in
enthusiasm and in the determination
Of victory it is the greatest political
convention ever assembled in the
United States"
Following Mr.. Taggart's remarks
thu secretary read the official call of
the convention.
Bishop John J. Keane of Wyoming
delivered the invocation, delegates
and spectators rising to their feet at
the request of the chairman.
In the midst of the prayer a photog-
rapher in the gallery set off a fash
light, calling down on his head the
wrath of all who we're grouped in his
vicinity. The smoke from the explo-
sion filled a corner of the hall, much
10 the annoyance of every n in that
section of the building.
II am directed by the national COM
mittee," said Chairman Taggart, ito
name the temporary officers of the
convention and the clerk will read the
list"
The name of Theodore A. Bell was
greeted with an outburst of applause,
~ was that of Urey Woodson, the Sec
rotary. A few %handclaps followed
each of the other names as they were
called. The list as read was unani-
mously adopted by the convention.
Chairman Taggart appointed Gov
ernor Blanchard of Louisiana, Lieu
tenant Governor Ellison Of Virginia
and Representative Ollie James of
Kentucky as a committee of three to
escort Temporary Chairman Bell to
the speakers rostrum.
Chairman Bell introduced.
Before Mr.. Bell spoke Chairman
Taggart requested that there should
be no smoking in the hall. The an
nouncement was greeted with ap-
plause.
Gentlemen of the convention" said
Mr.. Taggart, as the committee of three
appeared on the platform with Chair
man Bell, u take pleasure in introduce
ing to you your temporary chairman,
Theodore A. Bell"
An instant shout of applause greet
Cd the words of the chairman and as
the temporary chairman advanced to
the front to deliver his address the
cheers wer. r%edoubled.
Mr.. Bell is about five feet ten inches
in height, slender, clean shaver, brown
eyed and brown haired. He was
CARRIED in conventional afternoon at
tire. His voice is clear and penetrat-
ing and he had no difficulty in CON-
handing the close and instant atten-
ton of the convention.
The delegates were prone to APP
plaud from the utterance of Mr.. Bells
first sentence. His manner Of delivery
called attention to his points and
there vas spontaneous handclapping
at the conclusion Of each of his grace.
fully rounded periods. Galleries, too,
fninad literally in the a%nnlansa he,