THE SECOND BATTLE. CHAPTER I. THE CONTEST BEGINS The Democratic National Convention was called to order by Chairman Jones at exactly 12 o'clock, July 4, 1900, in Kansas City, Mo. The great Exposition Hall contained over twenty thousand people, and the enthusiasm and heat was intense. The formal call for the convention was read by Secretary Walsh, and prayer was offered by the Rev. S. W. Neel, of Kansas City. Chairman Jones then presented James A. Reed, Mayor of Kansas City, who formally welcomed the delegates to the city. A delegate from Michigan then moved that the Declaration of Independence be read as a rebuke to the Republican party, and this was carried amid great applause. The singing of the "Star Spangled Banner" and "America" by the entire convention aroused the greatest patriotic demonstration of the day, unless it was the entrance of ex-Senator David B. Hill. He was defeated for a place on the Resolution Committee by his own delegation, and his appearance in the convention hall stirred the delegates, and cries of "Hill, Hill," delayed the work of the convention for over half an hour. The committee on organization reported the names of Governor Charles S. Thomas, of Colorado, for temporary chairman, and he was escorted to the platform by Major Rose, of Milwaukee, and Congressman Lentz, of Ohio, his defeated rivals for the position. He was introduced to the convention by Chairman Jones. Owing to the great confusion in the hall, caused by the delegates still yelling |