The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-07-09
SPLENDID TRIBUTE
 IS PAID TO BRYAN
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1.)

(COA1IN LIED FROM PAGE 1.) the credentials committee were in d panic, as the time approached for opening. because the majority report ef the committee was missing. The prec- ious document was in the possession of d stenographer and could not be found.
 Lost Report.
 In possession of d speech to be deliv- cred by Representative Ollie James of Kentucky, who was also in mental dis tress because of the absence of his ora ton, the last seen of the stenographer was at o'clock when he went away with the report under strict injunctons to write it and return it as soon as possible. a Chairman Callahan of the credentials committee, with a flushed and perturbed face, was rushing hither and thither about the hall frantically sending messengers and working the telephone to every spot where his imagination allowed him to suspect that the missing stenographer might be In retirement.
 MT. Callahan finally went to Chairman Bell with the information that he could rot find his report, and suggested that some speakers fill in the time that must elapse before the missing report was found.
 The convention officials, after a short COHleIsuce H6lu AllitltuldltlS dIAFi MI Callahan had rushed away on another hot scent decided that no work should be undertaken by the convention tonight eX- eept to consider the report of the cre- -tientials committee. Debate on the ma 1ority and minority reports it was agreed, should be limited to 30 minutes on each side. The report of the committee on permanent organization and the speech oi Chairman Clayton went over until to- morrow.
 Crowds Pour In.
 At S:15 D. m. there were still many empty seats in the delegates section, but the galleries held practically their full capacity. Crowds of ticketholders con- tinued to storm the various doors and s record-breaking attendance was in sight. Women seemed to predominate in the throngs. Most of them were gaily gowned as for the theatre. The band worked overtime to keep the crowds amused and fairly earned the applause that was literally bestowed.
 At S:30 the report of the committee on credentials was brought to the hall, but Chairman Bell had wandered off and could not be located and the delegates and spectators put in another period of inactivity, while pages and messengers V ere securing the hall to bring the chair 1ian to his desk and his duty.
 The floor scene was one of much con- fusion, the aisles being congested with delegates either pressing their way to their places or engaged in earnest con sultation. The aisles are quite narrow at Lest, and tonight they seemed impossible Colonel Guffey, about whom the storm oi the night was expected to center, ap peared on the floor shortly after 8 o'clock and immediately was surrounded by Il number of his lieutenants and sympa thizers, who were prepared to take up the battle in his behalf. Colonel Guffey reemd pale but determined. With clenched fist and furrowed brow he talked with great emphasis of expression to thosl about him, one of whom was Peter CBoyle, his chief aid in the Pennsyl- Sania delegation. MT O'Boyle was sche- duled to speak in defense of the colonel
 Bell Arrives.
 When Chairman Bell had been brought lack, after bringing down his gavel in a rapid tatto, he gave vent once more t. hls stereotyped cry: "The convention vii be Ill order, gentlemen will take theii seats"
 The convention, however, did not al cnce come to order nor did the gentle men take their seats" for the reasor that number of letter carriers were dis tributing mall among the delegates, an. they were for the time more interested in letters from home than in reports from convention matters.
 The galleries finally helped the chair. man out, and their storm of misses quietef the turbulence on the floor. It was S;3 when the business of the evening was taken up
 Hobson Called For.
 MT. ormonde of Florida was recognized