Omaha daily bee., 1918-06-23

Convention Hall, Chicago, July 9,
18o6.-Nebraska was today the CEN
trail figure in the national democratic
convention. Famed by the flames
of his fowery oratory, Bryan's stock
rose like mercury in a thermometer
exposed to the. heat of summer sun.
For a while this afternoon it loked
as though it woula burst the tube
and carry the presidential nomination
for Bryan by acclamation with II.
Having for two days carefully
avoided showing himself before the
convention, although several times
called for, the appearance of the Me-
braska orator in defense of the plat
form, was the signal for an ovation
lasting fully FIVE minutes.
At the close of his speech the
audience and delegates went literally
wild, and for fifteen minutes howled
themselves hoarse. Had not an adj
journment been forced Immediately
on adoption of the platform, nothing
apparently could have prevented a
landslide. As it was, before the ap-
plausc had died out Alabama and
Georgia had caucused in their seats
and agreed to vote for Bryan and
number Of other delegates did like
wise.
That Cross-of- Gold Speech.
AS for the speech it was character
istic of Bryan. 1t was not what he
said, but the way he said it. He
started out with his time-worn ex-
ordium about being clad in the armor
OF truth and fighting in the cause of
righteousness. Not fact nor
figure, merely collection of we'll
turned phrases, apt quotations and
polished smiles. But they came at
the opportune moment and caught
the crowd.
The Nebraska delegates were
naturally aroused to the pitch OF
intense excitement over the days
events. They had, ever since their
arrival. been doing quiet work for the
Bryan boom and were surprised at
what they had accomplished. They,
however. had no organized system Of
and up to the roll call
could not say with definitencss what
strength they expected Bryan to
show.
Presentation Of Bryan's Name.
II was originally the Intention not
to have his name formally presented,
but George Fred Williams tonight
announced his purpose to nominate
him, only to have Georgia snatch that
privilege from him, for Colonel I.
Lewis. and force Williams to content
himself with seconding speech.
When Mr.. Lewis proclaimed the I
name Of Bryan, its reception was al
most indescribablc. The applause,
hat tossing and umbrella waving,
was confined largely to the
galleries. The Bryan banner was
brought out and carried around the
hall, preceded by the Georgia state
but the other standards
which joined the procession were.
Nebraska, North Carolina, Louisiana,
South Dakota and the Dis
trict Of Columbia. Mr.. Bryan pur-
posely remained in town, that Ne
braska's entire sixteen votes might
~ ~ Hihl. MiSs piydH NlSWGu bHC
spectacle from the gallery.
Talks Himself Into Fame.
Chicago, July 10, lS96.--It Is
Bryan Of Nebraska. Bryan talked |
himself into presidential nomination.
About that there is no question.
Not that the Bryan boom was
spark Of spontaneous combustion; il
rested on a carefully laid plan Of which
the oratorical coup yesterday was the
principal architectural feature. For
three days ! have been chronicling
its rapid development, but even the
delegates who made him were, up to
the last minute, unaware of its matur-
ity.
! sat with the Nebraska delegation
as the fateful fifth ballot was taken.
keeping count of the necessary votes
lacking. Farmer White. who made
the nominating speech for Boies, had
said just before the convention was
called to order that he was an original
Bryan man; that whenever Iowa could