The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1920-07-01
CLIMAX
FOR THIS
EVENING
Convention Crowds Fill Audi
torium This Afternoon Ex-
pecting Nomination to
be Made.
PRESENT OTHER NAMES
Big Question Today Was What VIII
Bryan Do If He Appears on
Floor With ..
Speech. s ..
PRESENT OTHER NAMES
[By Hugh BaiIlie, United Press Staff
Correspondent

correspondent
AUDITORIUM, SAN FRANCISCO,
July 1.-rAttracted by fhe possibility
that balloting for a presidential nomi-
nee might begin today, convention
crowds started filling the hall long
before the usual hour of their arrival.
AS the delegtes filed into the audi
torium, instead of taking their seats,
they gathered in little knots and earn
estly discussed such matters as the
platform and prospective nominees.
There was an undercurrent of sup
pressed excitement and many OF the
delegate tes size old tia,erv--sy a7se like
Wai. horses shifting the smoke OF bat
tie.
One big question was what VIII
Bryan do? He was expected to ap-
pear on the floor and make one of
the greatest addresses of his career
on the proposed liquor plank in the
democratic platform .gs
There was a possibility that when
the nominating speeches have been
concluded. which should be within
an hour or two, a suspension OF the
rules will be moved so that the con-
vention can proceed Immediately TO
balloting on the presidential nominee.
Under the rules the next order OF busl-
ness after the nominating speeches is
the report of the platform committee,
but if it is not ready the rules can be
suspended by a majority vote and the
nominations proceed with.
Eleven o'clock, the time for conven-
ing, arrived and Chairman Robinson
was on the platform chatting, and the
band was biff-bang-crashing through
"The Stars and Stripes Forever" but
hundreds of delegates seats were
empty and there was no prospect OF
a quick start. At 11:07 the crowds
of spectators were streaming in
through every entrance.
To Order at 1926.
AUDITORIUM, SAN FRANCISCO,
July chairman Robinson called
the democratic convention into ses-
sion today at 11:26 o'clock.
The plan was to proceed with noml-
mating speeches, which were inter
rupted by the recess taken last night
Robinson had great difficulty IN
getting order. Delegates were gos'
siping about the aisles.
When quiet was obtained, Bishop
William Nichols, Episcopal, of, San
Fran cisco, asked divine blessing on
the meeting.
Following Bishop Nichols prayer,
the crowd repeated the Lords pray
or in low, hushed accents and then
remained standing while THE Star
SpansIed Banner" crashed forth on
the pipe organ.
Judge Frank Murasky, of San Fran
Irar IN ding or
"The Battle Hymn of the Republic"
with the great organs strains fur
nishins an obligato for his words.
Faint and far away, as Murasky
finished the verse, came sweet
soprano voice, singing the chorus in
the gallery. 1.s
Then the whole crowd came to its
feet. $4,000 people, and roared the
chorus. GLORY, Glory, Hallelujah,' in
reyerberating tones that filled the
great shell of the auditorium with a
turbulency OF melody. ....
A cheer leader, lean, gray, his eyes
almost sticking out with his exertion,
again led the chorus
As the vast audience joined in the
chorus for the last time, the roar Of
the stirring hymn actually shook the
standards in the delegate sections
and caused decorations on the balco-
nies to flutter. ~
The emotional effect was thrilling.
Many women wept.
Chairman Robinson then ordered
continuation of roll call of states for
presidential nominations. s..
The chair recognized Delegate A..
T. Hannet, of Gallup, N. NJ, who Sec
onded the nominations of William G.
McAdoo. Hannet spoke briefly.
'I want to second the motion draft
Scont;n,,ad IN napa 2l