The Rock Island Argus., 1880-06-18
TIE CHICAGO HOTELS.
conventien---Oysr Four Hundred
Thousand Dollars Received
From the Chicago Times.

From the Chicago Times.
Competent authority estimates the
number of strangers who visited the city
during the days of the convention at up
wards of $4,000. OF this number the
Grand Pacific hotel and Palmer house,
respective headquarters of the two leading
parties in the contest, each afforded ac-
These were the houses most taxed for
accommodation. The great influx of dele
gates and visitors set in on Monday week
ago. and remained with us in large part
up to Saturday and Sunday night last,
when the sight secrs. becoming weary of
the tardy action of the convention, COM
menced to thin out. It was not. however,
until Wednesday morning last that any
perceptible change was noticeable in the
crowds at the hotels. Then o general
outpouring commenced, and continued un-
til late into the evening, when the cara
vansaries again assumed their every day
appearances. The Palmer house contains
800 rooms, capable of accommodating
over 1000 guests. To meet the require
ments of the recent boom Mr.. Palmer
added 600 extra beds, which were placed
in every available apartment Of the house,
and made liberal expenditures in other
directions for the accommodation of his
visitors. 1t is claimed tn at over $1,000
was expended in this manner, for which
liberal returns have since been made. The
receipts OF the house during the conven-
ton boom foot up over sos, 900. Of this
amount about $74, 200 was received during
the week of the convention from the fol-
loging sources: Board. $54. 900; bar,
Sc. 500: restaurant, $500; cafe, $4,000.
billiards, 500. AS notable instance of
the manner in which some of the workers
entertained their friends. it may be stated
that the bill of prominent officer Of
Brooklyn who came here to counteract
some Of Roscoe Conkling's influence,
footed up trife over $4,000. Some 200
extra walters were employed by Mr..
Palmer during the rush, which swelled the
force of sable hued attendants to over $50.
As will be seen by the above figures, the
bar receipts of the house averaged about
1850 day, a sad commentary upon the
work of the political evangelists. Over
hotel on Wednesday last, when 1000
pounds Of meat was served and seven
barrels of -four worked into pastry.
At the Grand Pacific the demand for
accommodation was fully equal to that at
the Palmer. and during the latter days of
the convention exceeded that ut any other
house 10 tho city. This house contains
| 5I4 rooms. which, together with the tenn
porary arrangements provided in the club
rooms, billiard rooms and parlors, afforded
accommodations fer about 200 guests
daily. On Tuesday last. the convention
day, over 1850 people dined at Mr. brakes
caravansary. While the management OF
| this house do not feel disposed to afford q
comparison of receipts with other houses.
| yet they are believed 10 have nearly
reached 100000. but trifle less than the
Palmer house. The fremont house, WITH
the facilities afforded by 245 rooms and
| 800 cots, accommodated about 500 guests.
and retained about $27, 900 and $50 900
| for its labors. The Sherman containing
23O rooms, with its provided extra facili-
1 ties, averaged about eco guests daily, and
realized profit nearly equal to shat Of the
fremont.
| 1t is estimated BIZ hotel uen and others,
who claim to hold extra facilities for gain
ing knowledge of such matters, that the
convention boom" brought over $400, 900
30 Chicago, and what is still more satisfsc-
tory, left that amount here. IN brief the
hotel men are uniform ln expressions OF
satisfaction at the result of their labors
during convention week." as they are
pleased to term It, and believe that the
experience gained will prove serviceable
during the triennial conclave knights
Templar, to be held 10 this city in August
next, when Chicago will witness such a
centering of humanity as she has never
before experienced.