Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-07-11

wind of excitement, if not so long sus-
tanned, hardly less enthusiastic, than
that for Bryan. The delegation from
Mime sofa standing on their chairs and
waving flags, hats and everything that
could be waved were the storm center
of the demonstration, while groups of
scattered delegates here and there
lent their ready energy to those of
Minnesota. The galleries, too, seemed
to contain an ample supply of Johnson
enthusiasts and on every hand the
waves of the Johnson demonstration
swept back and forth from end to end
through the great building.
When it had lasted a considerable
time the convention officers fought to
restore ORDER The sergeant at arms
was ordered to seat the yelling dele
gates and every effort was made to
bring the convention back to state
of subsection but in vain. The DEM
onStration went on with unabated fury
until it had spent itself after more
than half hour of vociferous tumult
The Gray nomination also received
its full shore of enthusiasm, although
the nominating speech of Irving L.
Handy of Delaware was frequently
interrupted by the impatient crowd
and finally by the arrival of the com
mittee on resolutions bearing the COM
pleted platform. 1t was after mid
night when the nominating speeches
were temporary suspended to receive
the report of the committee.
Gov. Haskell of Oklahoma, chair
man of the committee, made the re-
port announcing at the outset that it
was presented as the unanimous view
of the committee, the entire member
ship of which ranged themselves on
the platform thanking Gov Haskell
as an evidence of their united atti-
tude. The reading of party principles
was received with close attention and
frequent demonstrations of assent
The plank concerning injunctions
was purctuatcd with applause from
the delegates and spectators.
The platform was adopted by
rousing unanimous vote.
The speeches seconding the nominal
ton of candidates were then resumed,
with limit of five minutes for each
speech The secondng speeches for
Bryan included those of Gov. Glenn
of North Carolina; Gov. Swanson of
Virginia: Rep. Helm of Ala bama Au-
gustus Thomas, the playwright of
Missouri Jerry b. Sullivan CT Iowa,
Rep. Powers and Ex-senator Gearin
Of Oregon, and John J. Lynch OF
Ohio. The seconding speech for Judge
Gray was made by p J. O. Boyle of
Pennsylvania. Most of these speeches
had been scheduled in advance but
owing TO the widespread Bryan senti-
ment and the desire of the various
states to record their preference for
him many important speeches were
made and nearly every state voiced
its approval of his candidacy.
1t always will be question wheth-
er Bryan was nominated, officially, on
Friday. According to the big clock in
the convention hall it was still few
minutes before midnight on Thurs
day. the 9th of July.
When the hands of the clock in the
auditorium Thursday night pointed
close to the hour of IL, supersti-
tious sergeant-at-arms climbed to the
top of the railing opposite the speak
er's platform and stopped time in it's
flight. The cheers which followed in
dictated that the assembly and Wis
itors did not want to see important
business transacted on Friday.
Mrs. Ruth Bryan Leavitt remained
during the entire session. Not until
the votes lad been cast, and her IA
ther nominated. did she leave her seat
in her box at the south end of the
auditorium and join the crowd hur-
rying~ homeWard. Whenever enthu-
siasm at the mention of the great
leaders, name broke loose all eyes
were tulred towards Mrs. Leavitt. who
was smiling and happy.