Los Angeles herald., 1908-07-10
BELL IS MOST
POPULAR MAN
AT CONVENTION
DELEGATES DECLARE HE IS
JOLLY GOOD FELLOW
CALF iRNIA HEADQUARTERS ARE
FAIRLY 5EsIEeED
Good Fruit, Good Wine, Good Climate
and Good Cheer Are Dis
pensed to All Who
Call
BY FRANK THOMPSON sEARIGHr

BY FRANK THOMPSON sEARIGHr
Special to The Herald.
DENVER, July at wouldn't have
been the least bit OF a surprise to me
II the dignifed Democratic national
convention this afternoon had arisen
''as one man" and adiosed or au re-
voired Theodore A. Bell with For he's
jolly good fellow"
The majority-the vast majority-of
the 1902 delegates did everything else
but that when the California ad-
dressed them in turning over the chair
manship of the convention to Congress-
man Henry d. Clayton OF Aiabaml. 1t
was the one and only scene-with poll
tical significance-of today's session
worthy OF note.
Comparisons are odious, they say.
but you may wager your last peso
that the odiousness or odiosity was not
on the California side OF the fence when
they made the conventional trade, and
for that matter there was nothing
much but pathos about 1t, any way
you look at 1t. The pathos was the re-
linquishing of the reins of manage
ment by young man to an old man
but more than ovation for the youth
and the quiet. respectful acceptance OF
the elder leader.
tality. the snappy speech, the domi-
nance warranted-to some extent-as
well as inspired by the optimism OF
youth. to the equally big brain of years
ago that works slowly, the ponderous
form of speech and the optimism that
counts past events, perhaps, too often
and too seriously before gazing at the
future.
From Bell OF California to Clayton of
kxo ofo bar thar
the distance OF the states from one an
other. when the temporary chairman
gracefully, even elegantly, gave way to
the permanent chairman of the conven-
tion. That the convention went wild
over the one and mildly bowed to the
rule of the other was no reflection
for America is still young.
Proud Of Honor Shown
When Bell thanked the national
committee, the subcommittee, the con-
vention and declared that he felt his
selection had been an honor to the
Pacific coast that was tribute to the
great west rather than to the individ-
ual and would be appreciated by all
the states of the west and coast the
applause became general.
California's delegation arose after
the cheering became general, then there
was wave Of upspringing delegates
clear over to Virginia's de, sgation on
the right and the doors OF the Audi
torium on the right and the waving of
flags. hats, fans and handkerchiefs
BELLS all right" yelled a delegate
in the New York section.
who's all right?" cam back from
far Oklahoma.
Bell" roared all the sections from
all the states.
And, honestly, I believe II they'd
.oJ nv Of ho faII
business previously referred to they
would have been at 1t yet.
Many Visit Headquarters
Probably 5000 people visited Califor-
mia headquarters today and up till
midnight tonight The later crowds
were mostly Denverites and IL was
summat warmin' to the cookies of a
California heart to see how our dead
rivals in the climate business yielded
the palm to Southern California and
praised us to the limit.
There were speeches, of course, to go
with the music and songs that have
| made the California headquarters
noted. In fact If anybody wants to
/ hear a really inspired and inspiring
speech he goes around the corner from
/ the Albany hotel, one of the official
convention headquarters. shifts the
mile-high breeze for minute or two
/ to get his bearings, catches the de-
lightful fragrance of California fruits
and wines and steers straight for the
Hotel Law and the second floor thereof
| to bask in oratory, hospitality ana
other things common to the headquar-
| te~s Of the coast.
1he principal speech to the Califor-
MIA deiegations visitors today was by
Ben B. Lindsey judge of the famous
juvenile court of Denver, who spoke at
length on children and the impossible
| ity of the child's salvation except
through reformation of politics.
Judge Lindsey has made several trips
to California and the state has warm
place in his heart. so it may be imag-
| ined that he did not stick to his sub
ject to the exclusion of bouquets for his
hosts.