The Bemidji daily pioneer., 1908-07-09
VAST CROWD PRESENT
Opening Session Of Democratic
National Convention.
SCENE AN ANIMATING ONE

SCENE AN ANlMAIlNG ONE
Preliminary Proceedings Concluded
by Adoption Of Resolutions Of Re-
spect to the Memory Of the Late
Grover Cleveland.
Denver, July The Democratic
national convention began it's sessions
amid scenes of stirring animation.
The vast amphitheater of the Audi
torium was packed with 10000 people,
an ever moving, intense and expectant
throng, moved by patriotic airs and
stirred into tumultuous demonstration
as a silken portrait of Bryan was
borne within the hall.
It was just 1920 when Chairman
Taggart of the national committee
called the convention to order. Bishop
J. J. Keane of Cheyenne, Wyo., pro-
nounced the opening invocation, an
impressive plea for divine grace on
the conventions deliberations. The
convention promptly perfected the pre-
Hminary organization, slecting Theo-
dore A. Bell of California as temporary
chairman. The keynote speech of
the temporary presiding officer start
ed the echoes ringing and brought
forth enthusiastic demonstrations for
Bryan and the other party idols. The
appointment Of the convention COM
mittees and the presentation of reso-
lutions of respect to the memory of
the lete Grover Cleveland completed
the formal work of the day. ~
Public interest was entirely cen
tered in the opening session of the
convention and aside from this the
early part of the day brought few de-
velopments of Importance as to candi-
dates Or platforms. The overwhelm-
ing drift Of sentiment continued to-
ward Bryan and the enthusiasm Of the
opening session only emphasized his
eommanding hold Of the convention.
Tasgart Calls for Order.
Shortly after IL O'Clock Chairmsu
Thomas Taggart of the national coin
mtttee brought down his gavel with q
reseunding whack and called the con-
vention to order. Cheers followed the
blow Of the gavel and Chairman Tag
gart, as soon as they had subsided,
spoke as follows: -
"As chairman of the Democratic ma
tional committee it becomes my pleas
Ing duty to call this convention to or
der; and. in so doing, I cannot refrain
from the suggestion that In numbers,
In the PERSONAL of the delegates, in
enthusiasm and in the determination
Of victory it is the greatest political
convention ever assembled In the
United States"
FOLLOWING Mr.. Taggart's remarks
th6 secretary read the official call of
the convention.
Bishop John J. Keane. of Wyoming
delivered the invocation, delegates
and spectators rising to their feet at
the request of the chairman.
Ia the midst Of the prayer photog-
repher in the gallery set off a fash
light, calling down on his head the
wrath of all who were grouped in his
vicinity. The smoke from the explo-
sion filled a corner of the hall, much
to the annoyance of every one in that
sectien of the building.
II am directed by the national COM
mittee," said Chairman Taggart, Ito
name the temporary officers of the
convention and tho clerk will read the
list"
The name of Theodore A. Bell was
greeted with an outburst of applause,
as was that of Urey Woodson, the sec
retary. A few handclaps followed
each Of tho other names as they were
called. The list as read was unani-
mously adopted by the convention.
Chairman Taggart appointed Gov.
ernor Blanchard of Louisiana, Lieu
tenant Governor Ellison of Virginia
and Representative Ollie James of
Kentucky as committee Of three to
escort Temporary Chairman Bell to
the speakers rostrunn.
Chairman Bell Introduced.
Before Mr.. Bell spoke Chairman
Taggart requested that there should
be no smoking in the hail. The an
nouncement was greeted with ap-
plauss.
"9entleman of the convention" said
Mr.. Taggart, as the committee of three
appeared On the platform with Chair
man Bell, 81 take pleasure In intreduo-
fig to You your temporary chairman,
Theodore A. Bell"
An inatant shout of applause greet
cd the words of the chairman and as
the temporary chairman advanced to
the front to deliver his address the
cheers were redoubled
Mr. Bell is about five feet ten inches
in height, slender, clean shaven, brown
eyed and brown haired. He was
garbed in conventional afternoon at
tire. His voice is clear and penetrat-
ing and he had no difficulty in COM
WRnding the close and Instant atter-
tion of the convention.
The delegates were prone to ap-
plaud from the utterance Of Mr. Bells
Hrst aantNnca EIfs raanner ~ dallrnr,,