The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-06-14

Coliseum. st. Louis, June Twin
the keynote of ''Americanism ana
Peace, Preparedness and Prosperity,
the Democratic national convention
began its first session shortly after
noon today with not a single eIetneIil
in sight to disturb the harmonious re-
nomination of President Wilson anu
Vice President Marshall.
When National Chairman McCoiuoS
called the convention to order, 12,oVV
delegates. alternates and spectators
hacked the big Coliseum to the rooA.
Members of the national committee
and of President wilson's cabinet anu
party leaders from all over the 1ouii-
Plaster medalIions of Washington,
1ackson jefferson and Cleveland
looked down upon the delegates from
the decorations which conSlsleu "li
forr1ly of American flags. Ine my
ric+1Ire of President Wilson IN the nan
hung in front of the speakers desk
and was inscribed America Ilrst-
Vice presidential booms, w1lteo py
President Wilson's direct word thal ne
desired the denomination OF VICE
President Marshall. were brought 10
the convention hall, but only as 1aNoI
ite son compliments When Natonal
chairman McCombs had called the
convention to order the next business
was the reading of the call by Secre-
tarv T. Bruce Kremer. Former Cover
nor CIIvnn of New York was next with
the keynote speech
Under the speakers STAND direct
telephone and telegraph wires TO the
White House carried momentary re-
ports of the proceedings in the hall
Bryan VIII Make Campaign.
All prospect of a fight in the con-
Vention had gone glimmer1ng over
night with William J. Bryan's an
nouncemen ent- that he did not propose
TO press certain plankS before the
resolution committee and that he
would make campaign speeches TOT
the Democratic nominee.
1--WE have entered this hall as Demo-
Gratis let US deliberate as Americans,
declared Mr.. Glynn in sounding the
keynote.
i.It is the business of this conven-
ton representing every section or the
United States and speaking for every
racial strain in America, to send forth
a message to all the world that Will
leave no room for doubt
Reviewing President Wilson's con-
duct of foreign affairs he declared the
president had preserved peace with
honor.
For vain glory or for selfish pur-
pose" he declared, "others may cry
for a policy of blood and iron, but the
pl lesident has acted on the belief that
the leader of a nation who plunges
his people into an unnecessary war,
like Pontius PLATE vainly washes his
hands of innocent blood while the
earth quakes and the heavens are
darkened and thousands give up the
ghost.
eff Washington was right, if Jeffer-
son was right, if Hamilton was right,
then the president is right today" he
declared.
Carpenters Still at Work.
finishing touches upon the hall as the
delegates filed in.
The delegates and a1ternateS had
seats on the main floor, arranged like
a huge oblong wedge, with the broad
side toward the platform. Their seats
were jammed together, much more
congeSted than at either convention
in Chicago. Moving picture machines
and cameras were planted at every
vantage point Because of the heat
under the glary skylight, many of the
delegates removed their coats and il
The Texas delegation tossed miniature
souvenir bales of cotton to the gal
Ieries.
Just before the convention was
called to order, the band struck ur
Columbia, the Gem of the Ocean,
and the delegates rose, joining in the
chorus and waving American flags
Dixie" brought roar. interrupted
with rebel yells- William J. Brvar
was given an ovation as he took hi.
seat in the press section. The ap
plause started in the galleries and
spread to the delegates. Brvan smiled
his appreciation and got out his pen.
Gil and prepared to work. A "W0od1
Tiger" was sent to Chairman Nc.
Combs's desk by New York delegate
Open With Patriotic Songs
Chairman McCombs took his plac,
at his desk at 1890 amid cheers anC
applause. A few thumps of his gave
on a wooden sounding board uuickI,
secured order One verse of Amer
ica'' was then sung by the entir,
crowd, with tossing flags keeping tn.
rhythm. This was followed by on,
verse of the Star Spang1ed Banner
The Rev. James w. Lee, Methods
Episcopal clergyman of ST Louis. reat
a prayer
Denounce Use of Militia,
Denunciation of the use. of the mi
litia and armed guards against or
ganized workers is contained in a pro
posed industrial plank submitted b.
Frank P. Walsh, former chairman O
the federal industrial relations com
mittee to Senator Stone who will b,
chairman of tn resolutions commit
tee The proposed plank also declare
tht, right of labor unions to organ nize
We demand the fullest encourage
ment." it reads, both in administra
tive law and in the judicial process
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