Jasper County Democrat, Volume 11, Number 20, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 July 1908 — TO THE BRYAN [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

TO THE BRYAN

Democratic Leaders Are Assembled in Convention at Denver. NATIONAL GATHERING OPENED Temporary l Ohairmiuo Bell Deliver* the First Keynote Speech to the Multitude. WABMLY QRUTEBAS M BISKS Itaaitaeu Tboasand People Hear Him •ad Cbeer Hto Sentiments— HooW Deee Grover Cleveland—BoNzee and InoAdents. Denver, July 7.—A thousand miles weet of where, in the great dty at the foot of Lake Michigan, one great political party, just three weeks ago, met to name a candidate for president of the United States, another great party, today at noon, was called to order In national convention for the same purpose. In a hall which for the purpose probably has not its equal in the country, and which was made beautiful with draperies of red, white and bine, and otherwise decorated with palms,

ferns, and great portraits of Democrats who have made national and international names, and with the same practical certainty of who the man would be who would carry the party banner to victory or defeat, the Democratic leaders of the nation met, as had the Republican leaders three weeks previously. What Taggart Faced on Arising. As Thomas Taggart, chairman of the national Democratic committee, arose to call the gathering to order be faced a sight to thrill every fibre of his being. Facing him sat 2,004 delegates and their alternates from every state, territory and island possession of the country. Back of them and on each side of them, rose rank on rank of men and women, come there to observe the proceedings, cheer their favorites, and spend nearly a week in the strenuous excitement of a national convention. Fourteen thousand—perhaps 15.000 —• in number, they watched with absorbing Interest the opening of the great national meet Old Glory Is Everywhere. For two hours or more the people lucky enough to have tickets had been streaming into the hall to find their seats. Those who came first and got seated looked for a time like animated oases in a wilderness of chairs. But the spaces filled rapidly, the operation of seating the people going on to the strains of music from bands stationed at different points in the great auditorium. Describe the scene? That is impossible unless columns were devoted to that purpose. Of course the national ensign bad the chief place in the decorations. It hung fluttering In the breeze from the lofty roof; it hung festooned around the balconies; it draped the open spaces of the walls; It waved in the bunds of everybody, and it was a favorite decoration pinned upon the breasts of the ladies, whose bright dresses had no small part in the general scheme of color. FIHST SOUND OF THE GAVEL Taggart Calls for Order and the Convention Is “On Its Way.’’ Such was the scene—a brilliant one —that Taggart saw as, gayel in hand, he rose, and occupying the place behind the chairman’s desk brought his gavsl down with a sharp rap. Previous to this the throng had sent up p continued buzz of conversation and comment, punctuated every few minute by cheera and band-clapping as

some well-known leader would make his appearance on the floor of the hall or on the platform. As Taggart rose some of those present observed him and started a cheer, which swelled into a roar, while he waited for It to subside. A* silence was approximated the ®avel call rang out, and they sounds of voices died away until/ as Mark Twain's latest puts it, you “could hear •>» fall of a thought'* With few words •pokun in a clear, ringing voice Taggart said the hour bad arrived for ths convention to "get busy,” and annouuo •d the first order of business—reading of the official call for the convention. Urey Woodson, secretary of the nation al committee, read the call, hl* appear ance in front being greeted with a round of applause. Then Taggart in

trod need Archbishop Keane, who asked the blessing of the Most High on the proceedings of the convention, those present reverently bowing their beads during the prayer. The temporary officers, selected by the national committee, were then announced, and their announcement again moved the audience to cheers, especially when Theodore A. Bell, of California, was named as temporary chairman. The selection of these officers was unanimously confirmed by the delegates. The names of those other than Bell are as follows: General secretary, T’rey Woodson, of Kentucky; assistant general secretary, Edwin Sefton, of Washington; sergeant-at-arms, John I. Martin, of Missouri; chief assistant sergeant-at-arms. J. G. Fenn, of Indiana; chief doorkeeper, Eugene W. Sullivan, of Illinois; parliamentarian. N. D. Crutchfield, of Kentucky; official stenographer, M. W. Blumberg, of Washington. The feature of the day then arrived. Chairman Taggart appointed two delegates to escort to the chair Temporary Chairman Bell. As Bell got Into the view of the great crowd a cheer arose that threatened to lift the roof. It was repeated over and over and when Bell reached the stand he had to wait for several minutes before he could make himself heard as he delivered the “keynote” speech. What he had to say was undoubtedly to the liking of bls audience. It “rose to him” again and again as he made telling points, and when he closed he received an Indorsement that was both vociferous and continued. When silence was once more obtained, with the temporary chairman in charge of the convention, the roll was called for members of the committees on credentials, permanent organization, rules and order of business, and platform. These were named as had been decided upon at the state caucusses yesterday and this morning, and the next business was the adoption of resolutions in honor of the late Grover Cleveland, which being done the convention adjourned for the day in further respect to Cleveland’s memory.

THOMAS TAGGART.

THEODORE A. BELL