The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1876-05-17
From the SO. Louis Republican.
THE DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL
CONVENTION,
AN INTERESTING LETTER FROM
THE SECRETARY OF THE
DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL
CONVENTION.
The Streets Around the Merchants
Exchange to be Repaved Before.
the Convention Me ats.

A meeting Of the resident committee
having in charge the arrangements for the
Democratic national convention was held
yesterday afternoon in palor No. Of the
Southern hotel Col. D. H. Armstrong
in the chair.
ARRANGEMENTS FOR DELEGATES. &c.
Mr.. John G.. Priest read the following
letter from Hon. +. o. Prince, secretary
of the Democratic national committee:
BosToN, May O. 1876.
Mr.. JOHN G. PRrEsT, st. LOUIS Mo:
Ny Dear Sir: Will you please let me
know the form and seating capacity of the
hall where our convention will be held. l
presume the committee will agree to sub
stantially the same arrangements respect
ing the location Of the officers, delegates,
&c, as we have usually made. Having
been on this committee since 1860, will
say that the delegates have occupied the
centre Of the hall, Between them and the
platform we have placed the press. The
platform should contain seats for about
one hundred distinguished guests" be-
sides the officers of the convention, the
president ard vice presidents On the
flank of the platform telegraphers should
be located. Calling the delegates $50,
there will be required for all the above,
say 1000 seats.
We have usually distributed tickets for
all remaining seats equally among the del
egates for presentation to their friends
and visitors from their respective states,
after deducting proper number tor the
national committeeman from the state
where the convention is held, to be given
to gentlemen who have assisted in the ar
rangements, &c.
At New York and Baltimore adopted
the plan Of locating the delegations by
lot, instead Of placing them in geographi.
cal order as used to be done previously,
commencing with Maine and the New
England states. This is fairer plan and
has been more satisfactory. There is an
advantage also in mixing together dele
gates from different parts OF the country.
TO assist me in finding the different del
cations l have latterly placed a staff at the
head Of each delegation. with flag at
tached, on which the name of the state il
represents is inscribed. The arrangement
was found very convenient and permitted
each delegate to find his place without
asking questions Of those who could not
and the delegates and members Of the
press should wear badges to distinguish
them.
The convention has sat on the average
three days. | have issued new ticket of diff
ferent colors each day-red, white and blue
the national colors. We have always haC
three tickets each day-a delegates ticket
ticket for invited guests, aud Il ticket tC
the platform.
Attempt is always made to forge our
tickets, but my printers here inveted one
which cannot be initiated in the short time
allowed any one to do it, The only door
to fraud has been the theft of the tickets
but this danger is easily avoided. i vii
get the tickets printed here with the
crochet device, if you will let me know
how many the hall will hold. | think my
printers, who have got up the tickets fol
the last twelve years and have great facili
ties for such work. can do them cheaper
than elsewhere.
Our delegation will want rooms at the
Lindel. Will you please get some re
served for them? / will let you know
definitely how many will be wanted in q
few days There are but ten elected al
present. Please get ten rooms for these
l shall expect to be in st. Louis about
the 18th of June.
Let me hear from you as soon as con
venient, as it will take some time to gel
up the tickets. | will also look after the
badges and flags. if you say 80.
| think we may congratulate each other
on the political outlook. Our people are
much pleased that the convention is to be
held in st. Louis. Please present my re.
spects to the local committee associated
with you, and believe me.
Very truly yours,
r. n DoTNru