Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1884-07-09
THE FIRST DAY
OF the National Democratic Con.
ventiOn at ChieagO-l Full
Attendance.
A Grand Kick Over the Unit Rule
John Kelley Speaks
Against it.
Probability of "a Fight I'm the
Convention Over the Tariff
Plank.

and bracing. Crowds began TO gather in the
vicinity OF the great hall at an early hour in
the day. Door tenders and ushers reported
for duty at : A. NJ. Inside the auditorium
there was an approach to chaos. laborers
being still engaged in giving the finishing
touches after having been employed during
all OF the preceding night. They did not
desert the main platform where the decora-
tlons are being hung, till within half an hour
of the tine announced for opening the con
Vention, when the workmen left the building
and the scene. The picture presented was
majestic and truly so with its setting Of a.
| 900 auditors. Every seat in the vast amphi
theatre appeared to be occupied many ladies
being present 1t is conceded that in pictur-
esque effect the arrangement aud dressing of
the hall excels that of the convention of four
weeks ago. The great vista of the old hall
has been lost by placing the main stage at
one side and midway instead of at one ex-
treme end of the hail. but the management
brings the entire audience very much closer
to the stage proper and to the delegates
Decorations are not profuse but are striking
National colors predominating. The only
retarding feature is the main platform which
is dwarfed in comparison with the magnificent
proportions of the hall. Delegates are seated
IN square Immediately fronting the speak
1 ers platform. On the dead level of the conven-
ton hall between the delegates and the plat
/ form are the quarters assigned the press rep
resentatiyes who are provided with tables
in rising tiers atiordipg this working army the
most complete view imaginable of any Incl
dent likely to occur during the session tonight
and at the left of the delegates are the seats
for spectators sloping upward easily to a
point thirty feet from the floor level.
The only additional word to be offered in
elNn III -
the vast hall is completed, being lanked and
crowned with great windows which throw a
| food of light upon every portion Of the audi
torium even with dull, leaden sky ever
| head
| At l1.3O A. NJ. the
ScarIed Coated Band
of the First Illinois regiment took position
above the speakers platform and burst forth
with martial air which also proved the sig
nal for the arrival of the first of the delegates,
the Tennessee men leading the van, from the
crowd which streamed in without ceasing un.
til the noon hour. when the hall had its full
complement OF people. A breach in the ranks
of the New York delegation, as indicated in
these despatchesslast night. is being used as
very effective weapon by its opponents.
Governor Hubbard, on taking his seat as
temporary president, was received with loud
| cheers for Cleveland and there is now every
thing to indicate the present temper of the
southern delegates is
Toward Bayard or Mcdonald
and to this end those who have been startled
at the size and character of the Cleveland
movement are now working. Indiana is
being urged to stand by its favorite and not
to be intmidated from its present line of
{ I,-t tlo al lnNar
Speaker Carlisle arrived from Washington
this morning and goes to swell the active forces
for the revenue re formers now on the ground.
The committee on resolutions is generally
regarded as having a majority for a conserva-
tive platform. 1t contains, however. extrem-
its of both views and number whose position
has not clearly been defined. In any action
of committee there will be majority and
minority report and it is now believed that
the subject may have to be fought out on the
floor of the convention.
Another of the things which now appear
certain to occur is fight in open convention
over the unit rule and notwithstanding the
claims made yesterday by the Tammsny
people the Cleveland people declare they are
ready for this contest also and will defeat it
BY handsome majority.
At the approach of the hour for assembling
the convention was marked BY the arrival of
delegates in large bodies and great rush of
people at the doorways which provoke cOnfu-
sion.
The arrival of the California delegation
carving a banner ct their head. occasioned
the first outburst of applause in the body of
the audience. and the cheering wss hearty.
The presence of undistinguished leaders
among the delegates did not appear to be OBJ
served hy the crowd, and there was no ap-
plause to mark their arrival This held true
until the familiar features of Senator Thur
man of Ohio were discerned. when cheers
arose, which swelled into a roar as the audi
enee came to know the occasion of the ap-
/ landing.
Boom for Thurman
While the excitement was at its height, q
! California delegate named NJ. 7. Tompkins,
/ addressin the chairman, who was not yet in
his place. said: "The California delegation,
I after travelling $500 miles. catches its first
glimpse of psradize in the person of Allen
! q Thurman Of Ohio" Cheers.
Among the t. s. senators present either as
delegates, alternates or simple spectators,
were Messrs Hampton, Vance, Beck. Will
tiams. Mcpherson. Farley, VOORHEES,, Pendle-
tor. Jouas. Jones of Florida, Ransom, Lamar,
! Call and Harris.
! when the band struck up ''DiNie' there
was another great shout, proceeding from
I southern delegations originally. and as the
import of the applause was understood it was
taken up by the audience.
Al II 40 P. VI. the convention was called
IN order by ex-senator Barnum, chairman OF
the national democratic committee. Prayer
was offered by Rev. DR.. D. c. Marquis OF
The Northwestern Theological Seminary.
The chairman said:
Gantlemen of the couvention-Harmony
soans to be the sentiment of this convention.
/ Eran the air seems saturated with the desire
and determination to nominate ticket for
president and vice president which will be
satisfactory to the North, to the South, to the
Fast TO the West, and more, ticket that
will harmonic the democracy throughout the
Irn;on and insure victory in November.
Harmony prevailed in the deliberations Of the