Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1864-08-27


The Democratic Convention at Chi
CRgo. ,..- ,s ..
The convention is to be held in mann
moth amphitheatre, corner of Michigan
avenue and Park Place. The Chicago
Times thus describes the building.
In couple of days it will be passed
over to the decorators, who will display
their, taste in festooning it with hundreds
of flags, banners and streamers. The
building, which is constructed entirely
of wood; is Of gigantic proportions. 1t
measures in circumference six hundred
and twenty-eight feet, and has accomoda-
tions for an audience of over fifteen thous-
and persons. The roof in the center is
thirty fve-feet from the ground, and
slopes gradually until it is only twenty
eight feet in height AT this point it is
broken for the prpose of ventilation.
The remaining portion of the roof COM
mences at point four feet below, and
slopes gently TO the outer edge of the
building. The entire structure is cover.
ed with patent felt roofing, capable Of
withstanding the heaviest of rain storms.
The grand entrance to the building is
on Michigan avenue, and is through q
spacious passage way fifteen feet wide,
This leads directly to the central platform
on which the officers.of the convention,
delegates, and members of the press will
be seated. Running all round this plat-
form is a neat railing, inside of which
delegates can leave the building without
having to press through the assemblage
on the platform. Close to this footway
will be the desks for the use of the mems
bers of the press, who will be largely
represented. The number of chairs on
the platform will be six hundred.
On the south side of the mammoth am
phitheatre, surrounding and overlooking
the central platform, is the large
gallery for the use OF ladies, and gentle>
men accompanied by ladies. 1t has been
fitted up with comfortable seats, stretch-
ing along the entire half of the struct-
ure. These seats are placed on an
inclined plane, so that every one will
have o most excellent opportunity of
seeing and hearing whatever is going on
at ali times. The north side is set apart
as standing places for the male portion of
the vast assemblage that is sure to be
present. The entrance to these galleries
is by three passage iwRys, each four feet
in width. The columns which support
the roof Will be tastetully decorated WITH
national flags, while the entire walls will
be festooned with flags, banners, and ma
tiopal colors.
Externaily:there is not much to attract
the eye, but the immense proportions OF
the building challenge the attention Of
all. On the top of the roof are several
fag>staffs, from which the national flag
will proudly float during the sessions ol
the convention. Hr "t~' r
The site of the building is very conve-
nient, and the delegates and others may
rest satisfied that there will be every &C,
commodation provided for their convey
ance to and from the convention. 1t is
within short distance of several of the
principal lines of railway, and only &
couple of blocks from the State street
cars. Arrangements are also being made
to run a large number of vehicles between
the court house and the amphitheatr'
during the sittings of the convention.