New-York tribune., 1876-06-24
PREPARATIONS AT ST. LOUIS.
MERCHANTS EXCHANGE IN THE HANDS OF THE
CARPENTERs-NIGHT SESSION.
IBT TELEGRAPH TO THE TRiBI aE.l

OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES SESSION.
lBr TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBu.iE.i
ST. LOUIS, June 23-At the close OF business YES
terday the grand Exchange Hall was surrendered
10y the merchants Of st. Louis to the Committee
which is to prepare it for the reception of the Con-
vention. During the whole of to-day carpenters
and decorators have been at work constructing o
platform, putting up gas fixtures arranging
docUrations aud providing for the seating of
the Convention. This hall is on the second floor Of
the new Merchants Exchange, and extends from
Pine to Chestnut-sts making its entire length about
222 feet, while It's breadth 92i2 feet The ceiling
is 60 feet above the floor, and the hail
Is lighted on all sides by seventy windows,
arranged in two tiers the lower 2G by 10 feet,
and the upper 23 by 10 feet. A light narrow gal
lery. supported by brackets, extends around the
hall between the two lines of windows. THIS
will furnish accommodations for only few
hundred spectators. he great majority OF spec
tators will have to be accommodated upon
the floor. The architecture Of tho Hall
is very imposing. No columns or other Instructions
are visible, AMI the roof is clear span from wall to
wall TIE ceiling is frcscoed Ia three large panels.
the designs representing the industries of the Mssis
sppi Valley and the State OF Missouri besies char
acterst.c types Of European and Asiatic nations
In front of the rostrum, which Will be used by The
presiding officer. platform is TO he constructed for
the accommodation of the Vice Presidents and
Secretaries Of the Convention and in front OF
This raised a few inches alove the floor,
tables end chairs will be provided to accom-
molate about 200 reporters and correspondents.
The members Of the Conventiou they will be ar
ranged. will be directly in front Of the presiding
officer and at his right and left hand, making IL
much more easy for him to tie cnt 70 body at one
time, and 10 conduct its business in an
orderly manner than IL portion OF the
delegates were placed. as generally happens'
nj long distance in front OF tine PLATFORM Although
il is by no means probable that the Convention VIII
hold evening sessions ample arrangements for light
ing the hall have been made, and an Illumination,
with promenade concert or some other similar en-
teranment, on the evening of tho first dag OF the
Convention, Is contemplated.
Great preparations have been made By the tele-
graph companies for the transaction of the great
amount of business which they expect to do at the
Convention Hall during the next week. room in the
building has been set apart for the useof telegraph
o,,,rators. and numerous wires aud Instruments
have been brought in and arranged ready for bus-
ness In addition 10 this the Convention Itsll itself
il connected with one telegraph Office by means OF
pneurnatic tube, through which dispatches can be
instantly transmitted TO be forwarded from that
point.
Not only are the local committees doing every
thing in their power to make mcn,s for the
Convention succe.sfJl. but many citizens and bus-
ness men are preparing to decorate their houSes and
stores and the city will during tho whole OF next
week be in ITS holiday dress.
Numerous excursions and other entertainments ar'
already planned. The new city park is to be opened
formally Tomorrow and the new statue OF Bates is
TO be unyailcd. All delegates, and Others who are
brought here by the Convention have been invited
tn attend these opening ceremonies.