Jasper County Democrat, Volume 7, Number 14, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 July 1904 — CONVENTION IT ST. LOUIS OPENS [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

CONVENTION IT ST. LOUIS OPENS

Democratic Gathering in Col* iseum Noisy and Enthusiastic. TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN TALKS Hit Mention of Cleveland’s Name the Signal for a Wild Denv onstration. California Delegate* Parade and Yell for Hearat—Scenes and Incidents of the First Day. St. Louis, July 7. —Exactly at noon Chairman J. K. Jones of the national committee called the Democratic convention to order. His appearanca on the plaform and the sound of his gavel brought forth a cheer from the floor and galleries. Chairman Jones di-

rected the sergeant-at-arms to secure order. He contiued belaboring the table with his gavel, but it was sometime before quiet reigned. California’s appearance with a huge silk banner and silk American flags and a yell “California,California! Hearst, Hearst, Hearst!” caused cheering. Just as the California delegation reached its reservation, after marching up and down the center aisle, William J. Bryan, who had come in unnoticed, arose in his place and was given a cheer. Then an enterprising member of the Montana delegation created a diversion by vigorously ringing a cowbell. Chairman Demand* Order. Again Chairman Jones demanded that the convention be in order, and at once directed the secretary to read the cull for the convention. Applause followed the reading of the call. After quiet was restored Chairman Jones announced that the convention would be opened by prayer by Rev. John F. Cannon, pastor of Grand Avenue Baptist church of St. Louis. During the invocation the convention stood. Dr. Cannon’s voice was entirely inadequate to reach even the center of the hall. The prayer occupied several minutes. Enthusiastic cheering greeted the chairman’s announcement that he was directed by the national committee to appoint John S. Williams temporary chairman and C. A. Walsh temporary secretary and John I. Martin temporary sergeant-at-arms. Chairman William* Introduced. The chairman appointed Colonel J. M. Guffey of Pennsylvania and M. F. Tarpey of California to escort Mr. Williams to the chair. As the platform was enclosed by a railing, it was necessary for the committee and Mr. Williams to climb over the railing. The committee lifted Mr. Williams safely over and the entire convention burst into cheers as he ascended the platform. “I have the honor to introduce to you John S. Williams as temporary chairman,” said Chairman Jones, and again the convention cheered. The convention appeared considerably amused at Mr. Williams’ humorously sarcastic references to the “mutual admiration society” of Mr. Roosevelt and Mr. Root, and when he read an eulogy by the president on Mr. Root, the delegates laughed and applauded. i Spoke in on Ironical Tone. Mr. Williams spoke in an ironical tone that caught the fancy of the convention and he was interrupted time and again by laughter. Cheering was evoked by the speaker’s statement that Mr. Roosevelt had found praise for only three presidents—“ George Washington, Abraham Lincoln and himself”—and when he asked if the “Hell-roaring Jake Smith” order was a sample of the moral sentiment for which the Republicans stood, a lusty cheer broke forth. He mentioned the name of Mr. Bryan in discussing the price of wheat during the first Bryan McKinley campaign. The utterance of the name of Bryan called forth a little applause and some cheers. A secand later he mentioned the name again and the applause was not repeated. Orest Apples** fer Cleveland. A moment later the first scene of the session occurred. Mr. Williams declared that it was brazen effrontery

for the Republican party to attempt to ■alio the laurel* of Grover Cleveland. A genuine outburst of applause followed. New Hampshire delegates climbed upon their seats and yelled vigorously. One lowa man of the Hearst Instructed delegation from that commonwealth stood up and wavpl his hat frantically, and a wild cheer answered him. “Three cheers for Grover Cleveland,” shouted an Alabama delegate, and they came with genuine power and enthusiasm. No cry came from Nebraska, where Mr. Bryan and hia friends sat quietly without taking part in the noise. Again and again the cheers came in dense volume, c^P I** 1 ** numerous criea of “order” and the strenuous pounding of the chairman’s gavel. Injected from the Hall. Tim Murphy of Bt. Louis, standing In the center aisle and encouraging the demonstration, was first requested to take his seat, and then ejected from the hall by James I. Martin, sergeant-at-arms. Murphy was rushed towards the platform by Martin, through a railing and down a narrow stairway leading under the stage. Another encounter between Murphy and Martin took place in the passageway under the stage. Murphy then permitted himself to be taken from the hall, by two officers. For several minutes after the Murphy incident tlie demonstration continued. Finally in desperation Mr. Williams threatened to discontinue his speech. Order Finally Restored. “You have placed me here. I am your servant. If you don’t want me to continue it Is your pleasure,” he cried. This announcement was effective and Mr. Williams secured control, the demonstration that his mention of Cleveland had caused dying slowly out. When he said that he had heard that Dewey, Schley and Miles were Democrats; that a Republican administration had snubbed the first, tried to disgrace the second and insulted the third the convention again broke out into shouts and applause. So rapidly did the noise increase that Mr. Williams began addressing himself directly to tbe persons on the platform. This brought forth, from the galleries loud cries of “Time” and “Louder.” William* End* Hl* Speech. “Now a few words in conclusion,” said Mr. Williams, “and if you are as pleased to hear that conclusion as I am to conclude, this will be tbe most delighted audience that ever existed.” Mr. Williams spoke but a few words more and concluded his address greatly exhausted. Tbe perspiration was streaming from bis face, bis collar was a soft white roll of linen, his voice was worn to a frazzle and could not be heard twenty feet from where bfc stood. Tbe chairman that the roll of states would be called, each state as its name was called to send up to the ehnirman’s desk tbe names of its committeemen selected in caucus. After this was done the convention adjourned.

JOHN SHARP WILLIAMS.