The San Francisco call., 1908-07-28
HEARST LEAGUE
IN CONVENTION
H|TSAT RIVALS
Bitter Offensive Policy Is Key
note of First National
Session in Chicago
Huge Hall Is Packed With Wild
ly Enthusiastic Gather
ing of Delegates
Republicans and Democrats and
ALI Prominent Leaders Gem
sured by Yellow Editor

sured by Yellow Editor
CHICAGO, July 27.-Amid loud and
enthusiastic cheering and with its
members showing every sign of 10y
atty to their new standard of political
faith, the first national convention of
the independence party was opened at
8 o'clock tonight in Orchestra hall.
The main floor of the hall, in which
some of the largest gatherings are
held in this city, was filled by the dele
gates. There were no alternates. The
galleries were crowded with a throng
which entered heartily into the spirit
Of the proceedings and throughout the
night applauded vigorously whatever
met their approval.
At few minutes after o'clock the
delegates came trooping into the hall
New York headed the column. The
delegates from the Empire state car
ried a white banner bearing the words
being an evenly balanced scale, signi-
flying exact justice to all. Other dele
cations carried the national colors and
they waved them back and forth in
greeting as they found their allotted
positions in the hall.
ALL CHEER EACH OTHER
New York cheered every other dele
cation and the other delegations
cheered New York. Then they cheered
each other until the hall rang again
and again. The demonstration lasted
about Is minutes and continued for
some time after the delegates were in
their seats.
The entrance of George ". McCss-
supporting for the gubernatorial NOM
ination, was a signal for cheers, For
the next governor OF Illinois!"
This outburst had scarcely subsided
when the arrival OF W. r. Hearst
started a demonstration. The editor,
clad in a frock coat, put looking cool
despite the heat, bowed right and left
as he walked up the center aisle and
ascended the platform.
The hall was in an uproar as he
mounted the steps leading to the plat
form. He took no notice of the demon
stration. but, after remaining on the
rostrum for about three minutes in
consultation with the secretary of the
convention, descended into the body
of the hall, taking a seat with the New
York delegation. His action was a
signal for renewed cheering and the
delegates, shouting "Hearsti Hearst,"
Immediately started on a parade around
the hall, chanting the name of the
New York editor.
CALIFORNIANS SCARE REPORTERS
Two enthusiasts from California to-
gether waved a small white banner
bearing the name Of their state so that
they snapped the staff, allowing the
head of the pole and the flag to fall
upon the press tables to the peril of
some of the employees of Hearst's own
papers.
1t was 35 minutes past the scheduled
time when the temporary sergeant at
arms raped for order and asked the
delegates to vacate the aisles. Milton
w. Howard of Alabama took the gavel
and introduced Charles A. Walsh of
Iowa, secretary of the provisional ma
tional committee, who read the call for
the convention.
This document declared the purpose of
the gathering to be the foundation OF
an independent party and the nomina-
tion of candidates for president and
vice president. The reading was In
terrupted by cries of Hearst" and one
man in the balcony cried Bryan" A
storm of Kisses followed, which were
stilled by the gavel. Father O'Callahan
of Chicago delivered the invocation.
William r. Hearst mounted the ros-
and was given an uproarious welcome.
MAKES EARNEST SPEECH
Hearst delivered his address with in
tense earnestness. driving home his
points In an emphatic manner that car
start to the close of his address. His
description of Bryan as the Knight in
Motley called forth great laughter and
applause, and his illusions to other
democratic leaders also excited tho
cheers of his hearers. At the conclu-
sion of his address he was given an
ovation that continued for several min
utes.
When the tumult of his welcome had
subsidized Hearst, in part, spoke as fol-
lows:
Ny friends: This is the first national
convention of tae independence party.
Whether 1t shall prove an historical
event or merely passing political in
cident depends upon the wisdom and
patriotism with which we shall deliber-
ate and act.
If the men who met In Independence
nail, III .HnlldOelpnla, on the fourth of
July, 1875, had had within them any
feeling of hesitancy, any disposition
toward compromise or concession, that
day would now pass as any other day
upon the calendar. But the patriots
who assembled there had courage in
their hearts, determination in their
minds. high purpose in their souls. and
the fourth of July is saluted through
out the world as the birthday of liberty
for all men,
It is too much to say that our conven-
ton can even reach the Importance of
the second continental congress. but
the principle they met TO declare we
meet to preserve and the liberties they
assembled TO secure we have assembled
to protect
PEOPLES PARTY
believe, therefore, that we will do
a service to our fellow sons second
only to the inestimable service rendered
by the founders of this government if
we shall found party which will re-
main unfailingly faithful to the cause
Of the people: to. the principles of the
declaration of independence and to the
Continued m Pare q C~rv-