Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1908-07-08
TEN THOUSAND
CHEER LOUDLY
FOR W.. BRYAN
CONVENTION OPENING INSPIR-
ING SPECTACLE
TIDE OF SENTIMENT FOR Me-
BRAsKAN SWEEPS ON
Gray Boom for Vice President Grows
and Delaware Mans Nomina-
ton Seems Now Highly
Probable

gy Associated Press.
DENVER, July with cheers from
10000 throats, with the swell of politi-
cal oratory and the inspiring spectacle
of vast multitude of people, the DEM
ocratic convention began its delibera-
tions today.
The session, lasting little over two
hours, was notable more for is i'm
pressive magnitude and spectacular
effect than for the business accom-
plished. 1t gave, however, the oppor-
| tunity for the awakening echoes OF /
convention enthusiasm in the keynote
speech of the temporary presiding Of
ficer, Theodore A. Bell of California;
heated skirmish incidental to the con-
test in the Pennsylvania delegation,
and finally a unanimous tribute of
homage and respect to the memory OF
the late Grover Cleveland.
But the enthusiasm of the opening
session was comparatively brief, inter-
mittent and tempestuous, without that
long sustained and frenzied clamor
which is still reserved for the future.
The day was devoted chiefly to the
primary formalities, and the commit
tees appointed are now at work per-
fecting the permanent organization to
be presented tomorrow. Meantime the
convention hosts chafe over the two
days delay which must intervene be-
fore their great purpose is accomplished
the nomination of presidential CAM
didate.
The tide of Bryan sentiment sweeps
on gathering force as it proceeds, and
tonight the chorus of Bryan, Bryan
is we'll nigh universal. With 1t is
steadily swinging undercurrent for the
nomination of George Gray of Del
aware as vice presidential candidate.
and this movement, at first intangible,
| has now assumed a definiteness which
promises to merge 1t soon with the
seemingly overwhelming current NOV
ing toward Bryan.
Bryan's Opponents Hopeful
| Tonight the opponents of Bryan are
still seeking to unite their strength
against him, with the hope of ulti-
mately accomplishing his defeat.
| 1t was stirring scene which spread
before Chairman Taggart at noon to-
day, when, with uplifted gavel, he
sought to bring order out of the con-
fused babel of sound and motion The
splendid amphitheater bedecked with
flags and bunting, was packed to its
uttermost limits with dense and
seething mass of humanity.
Below, in the central arena, sat the
delegates, just two more than an even
1000. and back of them the 1000 alter
nates-those 2002. the real convention.
with the destinies of the party in their
around the hall were the long lines of
eager, expectant onlookers, rising tier
on tier and gallery on gallery, in solid
masses, the brightness of the women
in their gay costumes vieing with the
splendors of Old Glory, which hung at
every hand.
Here and there amid bewildering
throngs stood out the notable groups
of leaders. Immediately in front and
under the presiding officers eye We're
ranged the Nebraska delegation,
bronzed sons of the west, headed by
the cowboy mayor, Dahlman, the per-
sonal spokesman of Bryan.
Well in front were the New York CO.
horts, with Chief Murphy. cold and
impenetrable. and Judge Parker, rather
serious-faced.
Col Guffey Smiles
Further back Colonel Guffey was the
smiling center of his Pennsylvania ad-
herents, and near him James Kerr,
who is struggling to displace Guffey
and take up the leadership.
Illinois was to the left center, With
the rotund Roger Sullivan to the fore.
Further back Tom johnson, the
fighting mayor of Cleveland, moved
among has adherents until the gavel
sent him to his place among the dis
tinguished guests upon the platform.
Near him there sat a notable group
the venerable Senator Daniel of Vir-
ginia, a type Of the old time south
erner, with Towne, the vice presiden-
tial candidate and orator, and the tall,
blonde Congressman Sulzer Of New
York.
With the virginians could be seen
Governor Swanson; with Nevada,
Governor Dickerson and Senator New
lands; with Kentucky, Senator Nc
Creary; with Missouri, Senator Stone
and occasionally Ex-Governor Dockery
and redoubtable Champ Clark: with
Idahto. former Senators Dubois and
Heitfeldt. Minnesota, with the john
son lieutenants, was poorly placed in
the rear, while Delaware, with the
George Gray forces, was better off in
the right foreground
OFF to the left the presidents daugh-
ter Mrs. Alice Roosevelt Longworth,
in fetching gown and Lady Gay spank
er hat with flowing plume, smiled from
one of the boxes, and from another box
looked ou the daughter of the Me-
braska leader, Mrs. Ruth Bryan Leav-
itt beaming as she awaited the nam
ing of her father for the presidency.
Many Foreigners Present
On the platform, too, We're many
representatives of foreign countries,
young Viscount de Chambrun OF
France, M. Kroupensky Of Russia.
Hon. H. f. Charteres of England and
the ministers of Argentine, Greece,
Belgium and Chile.
The initial outburst of enthusiasm
came just as the session was opening.
when a sillxen banner bearing the por-
trait of Bryan was displayed. Imme-
diately there was a storm OF wild APP
plause. which died away after half a
minute of explosive demonstration.
The appearance of the temporary pre-
siding officer, Bell of California, was
another signal for enthusiastic out
bursts. He came forward amid the
storm OF tribute. tall and sturdy, but
(Confinued on PAGE Twol