Los Angeles daily herald., 1888-06-06
THE CONVENTION.
Democracy's Great Quadren-
NAL Gathering.
FIRST DAYS PROCEEDINGS.
Gorgeous Scenes in Convention Hall.
Chairman Whites Address-Un-
bounded Enthusiasm.
Associated Press Dispatches to the HERALD.

ASSOCIATED Press Dispatches to the HERALD.
ST. LOUIS, June 5.--The Democratic
National Convention began to gather in
the early hours Of the morning. Al
though Chairman Barnum did not an
nounce the opening until alter noon, the
trickling stream of humanity, which be-
gan to run into the big Exposition build
ing as early as o'clock, soon grew TO q
torrent, which surged in and filed the
great "nave" OF the hall to overlooking,
and long before noon 10000 human faces
gazed upon the high desk reserved for
the presiding officers OF the Convention,
az yet empty, but with its cleaning white
silver gavel, the gift Of the Colorado
delegation, full of curious inter
est for the expectant multitude. The
noble proportions OF the hall strike at
once with admiration. II is oblong in
shape, relieved on either side by bal
comics reaching back 200 feet, above
which, stretching entirely around the
auditorium, is broad, overhanging gall
lery. The ample stage reaches from the
rear Of the Chairman's platform 80 feet
to the east wall Of the hall and accommo-
dates 440 Of the gathered leaders and
fathers OF National Democracy.
The decorations are simple but effect
i've. The stage is hung with red, white
and blue bunting, relieved with festoons
and borders of evergreen. Upon pedes-
&a1< <xxf& e
standiI bust of the President, and sus-
pended upon the face of the gallery is a
large portrait of the President in oil. On
Hancock, Tilden, Hendricks and
Ex-Governor Marmaduke, of Missouri.
A very striking effect is produced in the
gallery above the stage by an enormous
shaded drawing OF the Capitol at Wash
ington upon a background Of sky-blue
canvas.
The delegates by States are arranged
entirely across the nave of the hall and
stretch ninety feet in front of the plat
form. They are arranged with aisles
and in alphabetical order, beginning
with Alabama on the right and ending
with Wisconsin at the left.
As the Convention gathered, q full
brass band Of sixty pieces, stationed on
the west gallery, filed the hell with
martial strains and popular operate airs.
The delegates struggled in last of all,
and there WAS some confusion in seating
them in accordance with the plan ar
ranged, but nobody appeared to be in
3 hurry, and everybody was good
natured.
As noon approached the vast audience
watched each new conner, each familiar
face, and cheered whenever prominent
figures were recognized.
Those in the hall who could read the
rather dim inscriptions beneath the
portraits in the face of the east gallery
railing, repeated the epigrams to their
near neighbors, who passed than on,
and soon the curiosity Of the entire audi
ence was satisfied.
Beneath Cleveland's portrait is a ia
miliar quotation from the Presidents
message: ut is condition not theory
that confronts u.s." Under Tilden's
portrait is the motto: "Iet there be
peace and fraternity throughout the
land" Beneath Hancock's portrait is
written the following quotation from his
letter of acceptance: 1.-THE great
principles of liberty are the inherit
ance OF the people," 1t is at once no.
ticed by delegates as they note these Ia
miliar Democratic faces, and equally
familiar and historical Democratic sent.
ments, that there is conspicuous abb
sence OF one mans face in this Demo-
cratic portrait gallery. The portrait of
every Democratic National candidate
since, and including 1876, except that of
ex-G Governor English, of Indiana, who
was on the ticket in 1880, is before the
eyes OF the Convention, and the place
which should be filled by English's por-
trait is occupied by that of Ex-Governor
Marmaduke.
The most noticeable incident as the
hour of the opening Of the Convention
approached was the flutter of handker-
chiefs and waving of fans by the ladies'
who filed double row Of loggia arranged
along the front row Of the two galleries,
which had been given up almost exclu-
sively to the women, whose bright tattire
and pretty faces lent additional attraction
to the Convention ensemble.
Visiting clubs with emblazoned ban
ners came in late, but as each we'll
Known organization was recognized they
were greeted with cheers. The Tammany
Hall braves were among the first to APP
pear, followed closely by the New York
County Democracy and local st. Louis
organization. The Randall Club, with
its gorgeous black and gold banner, and
led by esquire" William McMullen, the
hero OF seven National Conventions,
marched in proudly and was generously
applauded. The first Of the great Ma
tional Democratic figures to put in an
appearance among the delegates was the
tall form Of the senior Senator from In
n. H.
at once recognized and cheered
to the echo. The Cleveland Democ-
racy OF Buffalo, with a full brass
band playing "Dixie," marched into the
gallery, and created something Of a
sensation at this point the Convention
burst into applause and cheers, which
continued until the club made a circuit
In the gallery and was seated. The
clubs crimson banner, with its con-
spicuous gold letters, inscribing the
Presidents name, was at once one OF the
most conspicuous and popular ornaments
Of the hall. Every member OF the club
wears high hat and Cleveland badge.
Hon. Stephen M. White, Of California,
stepped quietly into his seat. Very few
persons recognized him, While he was
shaking hands with the California dele
gates, the Cleveland Club parade had
come to an end. and the standard bearer
planted the Cleveland banner directly in
front Of the great picture OF the Capitol
in the east gallery, a significant incident
which redoubled the cheers from the
throng in the nave Of the hall below.
Chairman Barnum, of the National
Committee appeared at this moment up
on the platform and was instantly recog-
nized and amid the general applause
voices crying "Barnum" were heard all
over the hall. The Hendricks Club, of
Indianapolis, increased the volume OF
cheering as it marched up to the east
gallery and placed its banner by the
side Of the Cleveland Democrats banner.
Chairman Barnum looked up to aee what
vns ooinp on above. and whon ho caught