The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1920-07-02
Galleries Filled Early in Expectation of Great
Speech on Dry Plank by Former Secre-
.aI tary Of State.
DELEGATES ARE SLOW IN ARRIVING
Special Orders to Door Keepers in Anticipa-
ton of Record Breaking Crowd for
Today's Session. l5

Cii<aiiff iiffassSi nan Robinson came on to the
platform just after Bryan, together
with Chairman Glass. Of the resoln-
tions committee.
Bryan wore a gray sack suit and al
white "boiled" shirt with a low, turn
ed down collar and white string hes
with black lines.
AS he stood on the platforms survey
ing the crowd, there was grim look
on the Commoner's face; his lips were
tightly closed and he nervonsly tapped
the palm Of one hand with the gold
trimmed eye glasses that hung from
his neck by a black silk ribbon. The
gray fringe of hair surrounding the
bald spot on his head glistened white
In the glare Of the calcium lights He
finally took a seat in one Of the big
green padsh chairs reserved tor the
| 'tbig guns" Of the convention and read
a sheaf of kilograms that were hand
ed him.
At 1926 a m. Chairman Robinson
stepped on the rostrnn, and prepared
to call the convention to order. Ser
geAnts at arms were ordered to Clear
the aisles.
The convention was called to order
at 1887 o'clock.
. i & ? f. Y i ~
Call to Order at to.37.
| AUDITORIUM. SAN FRANCISCO,
July 2.-The democratic national
] convention went into session today
at 1887 a m. to adopt the platform
on which the candidates will make
their race in November
] The galleries and floor were packed
Q and hundreds clamored outside for
entrance.
William J. Bryan, expected to be
one of the storm centers of the ses-f
| sion because Of his inten ton to make
a final floor fight for dry platform
plank, occupied seat on the plat
form.
Prayer was offered by the Rev.
Josiah Sibley, Of San Francisco,
Presbyterian. During the invocation,
Bryan stood with his head bowed de-
voutly and eyes tightly closed. Rich
| mond P. Hobson and several other
celebrated 'drys" were on the plat
| form near Bryan, and Senator Glass.
with whom the Nebraskan battled
bitterly during the resolutions com
| mittee's sessions, stood almost elbow
to elbow with him throughout the
prayer. q
The clergyman prayed that the
Almighty should guide the conven-
| ton and that the convention should
nominate Goods candidate who could
get Gods suffrage"
The audience uttered the Lords
| prayer with the mirsister as he con-
| cluded.
I Immediately the crowds in the gal
| lery set up cry for Bryan" which,
swept from one side of the hall to
! the other. 1t was halted only when
| the band burst into "The Star Span
! gled Banner" and the great throng
| rose again to its feet for the anthem.
| Chairman Robinson then called for,
! the report of the committee on reso-
lutions. He recognized Chairman
Glass of that committee.
| Senator Glass stepped to the ros-
| trum and laid the bulky copy of the
! platform draft on the reading table.
i Glass was warmly cheered as he
! stepped to the front. The scene was
brought into sharp relief by the
! glare Of the spotlights-
! Carefully adjusting his glasses, he
began reading in slow measured ac-s
cents.
The delegates capped and cheered
at hearing the preamble, in which
! greetings were addressed to PreSf-
dent Wilson.
Glass kept his place on the printed
sheet with forefinger, his eyes
fixed on the document, with only
occasional swift glances out over the
audience He talked out of the left
corner of his mouth, which is we'll
known manneriSm.
After concluding the premable,
Glass plunged into the league Of ma
tons plank.
"The democratic party favors the
league of nations" Glass read. He
:, got no further. A tremendous yell
rose from the delegates and spread