The Wahpeton times. [volume] (Wahpeton, Richland County, Dakota [N.D.]) 1879-1919, 1908-07-16
STORY OF
Scenes In the Convention
at Denver.

eent1On OF the Democratic party, after
4 series of sessions marked by enthusi-
lstic demonstrations unparalleled in
any similar organization, adjourned
after nominating William Jennings
Bryan of Nebraska for the presidency
and John W. Kern of Indiana for vice
president. Thus Mr.. Bryan is for the
third time the standard bearer of his
party in a national contest.
Mr.. Bryan's nomination had been
toreshadowed for many weeks prior to
the convention. and for even as long
time it had been conceded that he
Ould arbitrarily dictate as to who
would be the nominee for vice prcsi-
lent If he desired to use his power
% this extent. BY leaving to the con-
vention the choice of the holder of
second place on the ticket Mr.. Bryan
gave the LOOP delegates chance to
advance their claims for the favor
tie sons" Of their states. to indulge in
the destinations of potential national
politics and to feel that each individual
among them had something of impor-
lance to do in the councils Of his par
". Probably there never have been
in the history Of any American polit-
zeal party SO many candidates offered
tor the vice presidency as at Denver.
No less than sixty-two men were BOOM
ID or mentioned for the nomination,
which Judge Gray, the Delaware presi-
nential candidate, could have had for
the asking.
AZ was the case at the Republican
convention at Chicago, both candidates
were nominated on the first ballot,
and Mr.. Bryan's nomination, like that
Ct Mr.. Taft's. was made unanimous
after the first roll call. Mr.. Bryan had
received 1921 votes when the first
ballot was taken. Mr.. Taft received
roe.
The features Of particular interest
ut the convention were, first. the evil
aences Of the overwhelming power and
popularity of Bryan; second. the bit
ter fractional strife which arose over
the unseating Of Colonel James NJ.
Gufey, Democratic leader Of Pennsyl-
sania, and of State Senator Patrick
u. McCarren, Democratic leader of
Brooklyn. and of their delegations
ftrnly sensational was the contro-
Nersy between Mr.. Bryan and Colo
mel Guney); third. the struggle over
The framing of the platform; fourth,
the uncertainty and excitement at
tending the choice of a vice presi-
dental candidate; fifth. the pronounced
weakness Of the presidential boom of
Governor Johnson Of Minnesota; sixth,
the adoption Of resolutions in memory
Of and laudatory Of the works and
policies Of the late President Grover
Cleveland; seventh, the approval in
The platform of the work Of President
Roosevelt along certain stated lines
and the actual naming OF him therein.
From start to finish the convention
was a most enthusiastic one. What
opponents Mr.. Bryan had among the
delegates chose to evidence their dis
approval Of the proceedings chiefly by
remaining quiet in the convention hall.
On Wednesday, July 8, occurred the
great outburst of applause ut the men,
4ion of the candidates name by the
blind Senator Gore Of Oklahoma. which
lasted one hour and twenty.eight min
mites by actual observation. Thus was
cutstripped the time record made by
the applause for President Roosevelt
Mt the Republican convention, when
the delegates interrupted Senator
Lodge and cheered for forty-six min.
utes.
The convention was called to order
On Tuesday. July Z, and remained in
session but two hours.
In that time it had cleared the decks
for the nomination Of Bryan and the
adoption Of a thoroughly radical
platform, had attacked Colonel Guffey,
made Judge Alton B. Parker of New
York, Democratic candidate in 1904,
eat humble pie on his Cleveland resolu-
dons and had listened to the keynote
speech of Temporary Chairman Theo.
dore A. Bell of California. who, in an
able address admirably rendered, enun-
ciated as the principles of the Demo-
cratic party practically all of Bryan's
doctrines. Chairman Thomas Taggart
OF the national committee called the
convention to order at IL o'clock.
The routine preliminaries were
quickly concluded, and it was scarcely
twenty minutes after the convention
had been called to order before Chair
man Bell was escorted to the plat.
3orm by Governor Blanchard of Loui.
aiana, Ex-Governor Ellyson of Ken.
tucky and Ollie James Of Kentucky.
Mr.. Bell proved to be young man,
tail and well built and with long black
hair. His hair is SO long, in fact. that
his appearance suggests the La Toilette
type. Up to the time that he began to
speak there had been q hum all over
The hall. With bis first words a hush
TELL ON the crowd. and from that time
O he was listened to with thorough at
tention. 1t is seldom that a chairman
4p6 q convention Is treated 90 well by
&he audience.
Mr.. Bells speech, in the opinion Of
MI who heard him. was q remarkable
tooe. with sentences well rounded and