Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-06-17
Many Empty Seats.

Many Empty Seats.
At II o'clock, the hour for the final
session of the democratic national con.
vention to begin, there were not more
than 200 delegates in the Coliseum and
the seats were filling slowly. The first
gallery rows were filled but there were
no crowds around the doors.
At 11:26 a. m. Chairman James call.
ed the convention to order.
Prayer was offered by Rabbi Leon
Harrison of st. Louis, who gave thanks
for "the great leader Of this nation,
welding no strong arm of flesh and
yet triumphant in his invincible plea
for justice and humanity He gave
thanks for "the wise and noble presi-
dent Of the United States who has
warded off disaster, who with firm and
fearless hand has steered us between
the menace of both warfare and dis
honor assuring the people peace with
out shame, proud peace with head
erect and dignity undiminished.
There was report that Gov. Fergu-
son of Texas would present a minority
plank on Mexico. Leaders hoped to
head OF dissenting report.
Gov. Ferguson later, however, let it
be known he would present no dissent
ing plank.
Have Lots Of Time.
Chairman James called for the re.
port of the platform committee but It
was not ready and the convention set
tied down to wait.
At 11:4S Chairman James announced
that the platform report would be
made in few minutes.
In response to request from dele
gates to fix the time and place for
notification Of President Wilson and
Vice President Marshall of their re-
nomination, Chairman James explain.
ed that 1t was the plan to confer first
with the candidates.
Senator Reed of Missouri then made
speech to fill in the time.
The burden of Reeds speech was an
attack on the nomination of Mr..
Hughes because he was taken from the
supreme court bench.
Reads Statement.
Reed read statement which he at
tr1buted to Mr.. Hughes in 1912, which
declared against supreme court JUS
tice entering politics.
Against Candidate Hughes in 1916
quote Mr.. Justice Hughes in 1912"
he declared as he read the statement.
While Senator Reed was speaking,
Senator Stone, chairman Of the plat
form committee, entered the hall and
although the platform had not yet
- =
authorized its immediate publication
because 1t had been published without
authority and In violation of pledges
Of confidence in some parts of the
country.
America" was played by the band
when Senator Reed concluded and
while Chairman Stone of the resolu-
tions committee mounted the platform
to present the platform. Senator Stone
looked haggard and worn from his long
vigil.
Z In introducing Senator Stone, Chair
man James asked for order ito hear
the democratic declaration Of faith"
Senator Stone was given prolonged
applause.
Describing the committees labors as
ooA4OW plOIAdClcu duu
Senator Stone made brief introduc-
tory address. d
IT am not going to read said he,
referring to the platform. Il have not
been able to sleep moment in more
than thirty hours"
Begin Reading Platform.
Chairman Stone delegated the read
ing to Senator Walsh Of Montana and
Senator Hollis of Montana. Senator
Walsh took the speakers stand first
and began reading at 1886 p. m.
The first applause given the plat
form was for the endorsement of the
The delegates gave
close attention.
Before Senator Walsh had finished
the preamble spectators in the CALLER
les began to leave and the noise made
1t dimcult for delegates to hear.
(Contiuued on page 50 |