The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1880-06-02
TELEGRA.P1HIC.
C1essgrapAsd to ths RoekIsIand Argws.
To-Dav's Dispatches.
THE REPUBLICAN NATIONAL
CONVENTION,
Hon. Geo. F. Hear. Chosen Temporary
Chairman.
Speeches of Cameron, etc.

CHICAGO, June 2.-The day opened
propitious. The rain of Monday had laid
the dust and cooled the air, so that no
atmosphere could be finer for an occasion
of this kind. The hall in which the con-
vention is held in. is an inner structure
within the Exposition building. The
south half being used for that purpose.
The architect, Mr.. w. w. Boyton. has
certainly shown great skill in the part
by $50 wide, the balconies reaching within
nine feet of the main floor. Every seat is
eligible.
The speakers stand, located at the south
end of .the building has received the lion's
share of attention and has been rendered
patriotically picturesque. The foremost
attention of the arrangement is the life
sized portrait of the late Senator Zach
Chandler which depends from the centre
of the ceiling Immediately back of the
chairman's desk. The likeness is fair, but
is not easily recognized at distance
Extending from all parts of the semi
circular south end of the building are large
flags arrayed in graceful festoons aud
meeting just over Chandler's portrait. On
q line with this portrait in the centre of
the hall are life sized bust portraits of
Washington facing north and south and
against the north end of the building ia q
portrsit of Lincoln of the same size. On
either side OF which are the words land
that government of the people, by the
people and for the people shall not perish
from the earth" The three Hkenesses
are neat draped with small United States
flags and are very attractive. The speak.
ers platform is well furnished, being COW
cred with carpet OF q dark green shade,
and supplied with tables and
pivot chair for the use of the officers
of the convention. The platform has
been provided with foot lights that will be
utilized in case of night session and add
to the beauty of the decorations. In the
centre of the platform in front Of the
chairman's desk is a palm draped in the
national colors and just back of the chair
mans place 10 well executed statue of
the Goddess of Liberty draped with the
stars and stripes, On either side of this
statue and at the extreme sides
of the platform are palms wrap
ped in the eolors separating the speakers
stand from the seats reserved for distin-
guished people. in the rear is semi>cir.
culsr railing almost obscured from views
by flags neatly festoomed. A few feet
below the speakers stand, and just in front.
the representatives of tbs !oosl press and
the prominent daily newspapers cf the
county will be provided for. There are
eight tables. each of which will accommo-
date thirteen writer's, these have all been
numbered aud places will be assigned to
the lucky ones this morning, The front
of this platform is decorated with flags,
and in!the centre is Chicsgos Coat of Arms
The iron girders and supports that usually
form an unsightly net work in that quarter
are decorated with coats of arms. shields,
flags. and sheaves of banners Ia beanti-
ful fashion completing a fne pio-
turc The space above the gallery
on both sides of the hall between the arch
and iron girders that extend across
is mpletely covered with flags beauti-
fully festooped forming an appropriate
background for the portraits of the great
leaders of the Republican party, and abo-
Iitionists who have passed from life. but
whose memories are revered by the living.
Nearest the speakers platform on the east
side of the building is the portrait of Gen.
John A. Dix and then came those OF
Owen Lovejoy. Joshua r. Giddings
Salmon ?. Chase and Charles Summer,
the latter being first alter that of Presi
dent Lincoln. On the west side beginning
at the south are the portraits OF Oliver 2.
Morton, Ben Wade, Gov Andrew, William
Pitt Fessenden and VIM. Il Seward IN the
order given; sevora! Of the portraits
are good but that of Morton does the
deceased statesman grave injustice. They
are all drspedHnhags handsomely arranged.
The iron gallery supports are Graced with
fraternity emblems. shields and small
flags, relieving the space between the
elaborate decorations and the stage. The
centre of the building from the speaker 8
stand is devoid of flags or bunting, save
about Washington's portrait. a fine
effect is given. however. by the red and
white striped bunting which covers the
skylight and completes the continuity OF
the arohed ceiling.
The decorations upon the walls that will
close the delegates out from the madden
ing crowd are particularly noticeable Tor
the beauty and taste displayed. They are
almost entirely obscured from the floor TO
the gallery rail with smaller flags
than are used everywhere in the
building festooned. so Rs to form circular
hack ground for the plaster busts OF distln-
gnished men alive and dead. These are
of washington, Franklin, Clay. Webster,
Lincoln. Douglass, Chandler. Jackson,
Haves and Grant and render the pictures
very attractive. The facing OF the gallery
| in the alterpates' hall is less elaborately
decorated, but Is feSto0ceQ Win uagS 10
the north end on both sides. Along the
gallery rail at appropriate distances apart
are the coats of arms of the several states
nainted on shields and draped with flags.
| The work throughout is very creditable
and the decorations are more elaborate
and appropriate than any that have ever
been seen on a similar occasion.
The general arrangements covering the
admission and seating are under General
W. E. Strong and SO far everything has
been in perfect order. At eleven o'clock
the band stationed on the north balcony
heoap playing national airs, but 1t was
pearly an hour passed before the delegates
got TO their seats.
At :05 precisely Chairman Cameron OF
the national committee called the eonven-.
ton to order Rev. A. E., Kittridge of
Third Presbyterian church Chleago' IN
voked divine blessing upon labors OF the
convention. returning thanks ID eloquent
prayer for the prosperity and UNITY OF Ems
nation. - soara
The chairman then called on the secrs
tary to read the call and Secretary heogn
proceeded 10 clear voice 10 reao 'he
document. SUI.
Mr. Cameron then spoke as toiio"s'
Gentlemen of the Convention:
ask vour attention for few moments.