The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1908-07-10
CONVENTION AT
DENVER BEGINS
TEN THOUSAND WITNESS OPEN.
ING OF GREAT MEETING OF
DEMOCRATS.

DENVER. Col. July with
cheers from 10000 threats, with the
swell of political oratory and the in
spring spectacle Of a vast multitude
of people, the Democratic National
Convention began its deliberations to-
day. The session, lasting a little
over two hours, was notable rather
for its impressive magnitude and spec
tacular effects than for the business
accomplished. 1t gave however, the
opportunity for awakening the echoes
! of convention enthusiasm; the key
note speech of the temporary pre-
siding officer, Theodore A. Bell, of
California; a heated skirmish Incl
dental to the contest in the Pennsyl.
vania delegation and finally a unan-
imous tribute of homage and respect
to the memory of the late Grover
Cleveland. But the enthusiasm of the
/ opening session was comparatively
brief, intermittent and tempestuous,
without that long sustained and fren-
zied 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 organizationto'
be presented tomorrow Meantime g
the convention hosts chafe over the
two days delay which must intervene
before their great purpose is accom-
plished-the nomination or a Presi-
Dental candidate.
Bryan And Gray.
The tide of Bryan sentiment sweeps
on, gathering force as it proceeds,
and tonight the chorus of Bryan"
Bryan is well night universal. With
it is a steadily swelling undercurrent
for the nomination Of George G. Gray,
Of Delaware, as Vice President, and
this movement, at first intangible,
has now assumed a definiteness which
promises to merge it soon with the
seemingly overwhelming current NOV
ing toward Bryan. Tonight the oppo
nents of Bryan are still seeking to
unite their strength against him with
The hope of ultimately accomplishing
1is defeat.
1t was a stirring scene which spread
before Chairman Taggart at noon to-
lay when, with uplifted gavel, he
sought to bring order out of the con-
used babel of sound and motion. The
splendid amphiteater, decorated with
lags and buting, was packed to it's
lttermost limits with a dense and
eething mass of humanity. Below,
n the center arena, sat the delegates,
ust two more than an even thou
and, and back of them the 1000
1000 the real con-
ention, with the destinies of the
arty in their hands. Thanking them
nd sweeping around the hall were
ne long lines of eager, expectant on
,okers, rising tier on tier and gallery
n gallery solid masses the bright
ess Of the women in their gay cos
INES vieing with the splendors of Old
Tory, which hung at every hand
Notable Figures.
Here and there amid this bewilder-
g throng stood out the notable
roups of leaders, Immediately in
ont and under the presiding officers
'e were ranged the Nebraska dele
ltion, bronzed sons of the West,
,aded by the cowboy Mayor, Dahl.
an, the personal spokesman of Bry-
|. Well in front were the New York
horts, with Chief Murphy, cold and
lpenetrable, and Judge Parker, rath-
serious-faced. Further back, Col
lffey was the smiling center of his
adherents, and near him
mes Kerr, who is struggling to dis
ice Guffey and take up the lead
ship. Illinois was TO the left CEN
: with the rotund Sullivan to the
e. Further back Tom Johnson,
) fighting Mayor of Cleveland,
wed among his adherents until the
vel sent him to his place among the
guests upon the plat
m.