Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1880-06-02
CHICAGO'S SHOW.
Procession Of Bummers Taking
Their Seats.
The Ball Opens In Solemn
Earnest.
A Rripht nau +hof HnDooknO
A Bright Day that Unmakes
Men.

OHlCAGO, June 2.-The day opened |
propitious. The rain of Monday had
laid the dust and cooled the air, 20 |
that no atmosphere could be finer for
an occasion of this kind. The hall in
which the convention is held is an
inner structure within the exposition
building, the south half being used
for that purpose. Mr.. w. w. Bayn-
ton has certainly shown great skill in |
the part assigned to him. The hall is
four hundred feet long by one hundred |
and fifty wide, the balconies reach
ing 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 lions share Of attention, and has
been rendered patriotically pictur-
esque. The foremost attraction Of
the arrangement is the life size bust
portrait of the late Senator Zach
Chandler, which descends from the
center 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-circles at the south end
of the building are large flags, ar.
ranged in graceful festoOns, and meet
ing just over Mr.. Chandler's portrait.
On line with this portrait, in the
center of the hall, are life sized bust
portraits of Washington facing north
and south, and against the north end
of the building is portrait of Lin
coin, OF the same size, on either side
of which are the words, "And that
government of the people, by the
people, and for the people, shall
not perish from the earth.
The three likenesses are neatly draped
with small United States flags, and
are very attractive. The speakers S
platform is well furnished, being cov
cred with carpet of a dark green
shade, and supplied with labels and
pivot chairs for the use of the officers
ofthe convention. The platform has
been provided with footlights that
will be utilized in case of night ses-
sion and add to the beauty of the dec
orations. In the center Of the plat
form in front of the chairmans desk
is palm draped in the national col
ors, and just back Of the chairman s
place is we'll 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 draped in
the colors. Separating the speakers
stand from the seats reserved for dis
tinguished people in the rear is semi
circle railing almost obscured from
view by flags neatly festooned. A few
feet below the speakers stand and
Ejust in front, the representatives of
the local press and the prominent
daily newspapers of the country will
be provided for. There are eight
tables, each Of which will accommo-
| date thirteen writer's. These have all
been numbered, and places will be
assigned the lucky ones this morning.
The front of this platform is deco
rated with flags, and in the center
is Chicago's coat of arms,
The iron girders and sup
ports that usually form an
unsightly network in that quarter are
decorated with coats of arms, shields,
flags, and sheayes Of banners in beau
tiful fashion, completing fine pic
ture. The space above the gallery, on
both sides of the hall, between the
arches and iron girders that extend
, across, is completely covered with
, flags beautifully festooned, forming an
appropriate background for the Dor
traits Of the great leaders of the re-
publican party and abolitionists,
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 Cen
, eral John A. Dix, and then came those
of Owen Lovejoy, James r. Giddings,
Salmon p. Chase and Charles Sumner
the latter being first after that oI
President Lincoln. On the west side
t beginning at the south avenue, are the
I, portraits of Oliver P. Morton, Benz
Wade, Go ,ernor Andrew, VIM. Pitts
Fessendon and VIM. H. Seward
in the order given. Several of the
portraits are good, but that of Nor
ton does the deceased statesman grave
: injury. They are all drapod in flags
r handsomely arranged. The iron gal
: lery-supports are graced with frater
}, nifty emblems, shields and small flag
i relieving the space between thu
n elaborate decorations and the stage
/, The center of the building, from the