The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-06-14
WILL ADOPT PLATFORM
LARGELY LIKE BRY.AlNS.
That to Be Promulgated by Republicans at Chicago
Will Be Almost Identical With That of
Democrats Twelve Years AGO.

Cleveland men who centred around
Senator Daniel, OF Virginia, who was
put forward as the candidate of the
Iani-Cleyeiand forces. In the meetings
at the Bimetallic League headquarters
the roll was called twice each day, and
the delegates present We're requested
to give an estimate of what could be
expected from the delegation from
each State and Territory in respect
to votes for Senator Daniel. These
meetings continued right up to the
time OF the meeting of the convention,
and for the first time in the history
of the Democratic party the selection
of the temporary chairman by the ma
tional committee was turned down by
the convention, and Senator Daniel, OF
Virginia, was elected This was first
blood for the anti-Cleveland people.
The convention proceeded i'll the
usual manner in the appointment OF
committees on credentials. organiza-
ton, resolution, etc. each delegation
naming one of It's men for each OF the
committees.
Met In WootlShed.
The convention met in the large
hall constructed for its use on the
shores of Lake Michigan. and the va
rious committees Immediately began
organization. The committee on cre-
dentials met in a kind of woodshed
outside of the convention hall. con-
structed of plain boards with no doors
and no windows in the window frames.
There We're neither chairs nor tables
in the rooms Not dozen men out OF
the committee of forty-five knew each
other pers onally.
When the committee had assembled
some of the delegates moved that the
organization be perfected This sug-s
gestion met with favor, and the ques-
ton was how to proceed. After con-
siderable discussion it was agreed to
perfect q temporary organization by
| the election of a chairman and secre-
| tary. AS stated above, hardly any OF
| the delegates knew each other, and it
was finally agreed that the member
OF the committee from the State of Ala
hama, the first State on the list. be
selected. This was done. and Mr..
Claude Swanson, now Governor Of Vir-
ginia, suggested that Mr.. John Boyle,
a delegate from the District of Colnm-
| ba. be selected as temporary secretary.
This also carried, and the committee
adiourned to meet at the Sherman
| House.
Inspecting the Chairman.
In the meantime, the Western mems
Ehers got together. and when the cons
jmittee reconvened suggested the name
of John Fl. Atwood, of Kansas. rs per-
n,anent chairman. 1t was found, how
ever. that the temporary chairman se-
llected at the previous meeting was not
present. and the duty devolved upon
the temporary secretary to call the
meeting to order, Immediately thero
We're calls from all portions of the
room suggesting that the gentlemen
who were nominated for chairman OF
1.-THE committee should mount q table,.
that the committeeman might be abba
to SEQ What kind OF a man they wero
4 voting for Mr., Atwood mounted a
4 table, and the committeeman surveyed
/ him up and down very much like tho
4 careful buyer would In selecting q
Ibeef
/ IIe was asked numerous questions "a
Ito Ills qualifications, whether he was
i a ready talker3 and debater, nIel could
! defend on tho floor of the convention
the report of the committee. Some of
/ his friends answered for him. and Mr.,
Atwood was selected the permanent.
\ chairman or the committee. and dale.
4 gate from tho Missouri delegation WA
Il selected for secretary, and IN this
way tho organization OF the Commits
y tee >on Credentials was perfected. Tina
i selection OF Mr., Atwood proved ems
\ tirely satisf factory, and before the CONS
EmIttee had concluded Its business thu
], forty-lye members who previously
\, knew nothing OF each other bacamal
!, acquanteil. No comnaitteo, perhaps.
/, was ever SO uniquely organized ana
lunder such unfaYorabla circumstances