The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1908-07-08
VAST CROWD PRESENT
Opening Session of Democratic
National Convention.
SCENE AN ANIMATlNG ONE
Preliminary Proceedings Concluded
by Adoption of Resolutions of Re-
spect to the Memory of the Late
Grover Cleveland.

Grover Cleveland.
Denver, July S.-The Democratic
national convention began its sessions
amid scenes of stirring animation.
The vast amphitheater of the AHdi-
torium was packed with $4,000 people,
sn 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 of the convention com
mittees and the presentation of reso'
lutions of respect to the memory OF
the lete Grover Cleveland completed
the formal work of the day.
Public interest was entirely cen
tered in the opening session of the
convention and asids from this the
early part of the day brought few de
vslopments of importance as to candi
dates Or platforms. The overwhelm
Ing drift of sentiment continued to
ward Bryan and the enthusiasm of the
opening session only emphasized his
commanding hold of the convention.
Tasgart Calls for Order.
Shortly after IL O'Clock Chairman
Thomas Taggart of the national com
mittee brought down his gavel with
resounding whack and called the oon
vention to order. Cheers followed the
blow of the gavel and Chairman Tag
CART, as soon as they had subsided
spoke as follows:
"As chairman of the Democratic ma
tional committee 1t becomes my pleas
Ing duty to call this convention to OF
der; and in so doing, | cannot refrain
from the suggestion that In numbers
In the personua FL of the delegates, Il
enthusiasm and in the determination
of victory it is the greatest polttica
convention ever assembled in tn
United States"
Following Mr.. Taggart's remark
tho secretary read the official call
the convention.
Bishop John ]. Keane of Wyomin
delivered the invocation, delegate
and spectators rising to their feet
the request of the chairman.
In the midst of the prayer a photos
rapher in the gallery set off a f1asi
light, calling down on his head ID
wrath of all who were grouped In III
vicinity. The smoke from the expl'
sion filled a corner of the hall, muc
TO the annoyance of every one IN the
section of the building.
II am directed by the national con
mittee," said Chairman Taggart, 7
name the temporary officers of tn
convention and the clerk Will read 10
list"
The name of Theodore A. Bell wa
greeted with an outburst of applaus
as was that of Urey Woodson. the Sc
no NI
each of the other names as they wei
called. The list as read was unan
mously adopted by the convention.
Chairman Taggart appointed Go
ernor BLANCHARD of Louisiana, Lie
tenant Governor Ellison OF virgin
and REPRESENTATIVE Ollie James
Kentucky as a committee of three
escort Temporary Chairman Bell
the speakers rostrum
Chairman Boil introduced.
Before Mr.. Bell spoke Chairms
Tasgart requested that there shou
be no smoking In the hall The a
nouncement was greeted with
plause.
"Gentleman of the convention, sa
Mr. Tageart, as the committee OF thr'
appeared Oh the platform with Chal
man Bell, Il take pleasure In introdu
Ing to you your temporary chairma
Theodore A Bell"
An instant shout of applause gree
ed the words of the chairman and
the temporary chairman advanced
the front to deliver his address u
cheers were redoubled.
Mr.. Bell is about Ave feet ten inch
in height, slender. clean shsven. brow
eyed and brown haired. He W
garbed in conventional afternoon
tire His voice is clear and penetr'
ing and he had no difficulty In CO.
manding the close and Instant atte
tion- of the convention.
The dele rates were prone to
Maud from the utterance OF Mr. Bel
first sentence. His manner Of dehve
called attention to his loanta Z