The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-04-27
ASSEMBLING OF THE CROWD.


and Friends of Candidates.
The day for the Democratic State convention
was beautiful, and as early as 8 o'clock yester-
day morning crowd of spectators began to
gather in frcnt of Tomlinson Hall, on Market
street. waiting for the doors co oDen, in order
that they might secure choice seats in the
gallery. The number increased so much that
the market master complained that thsy were
interfering with the traffic which was going on
at the stalls and stands on the sidewalk. After
the doors were opened, at $40. and the crowd
had swarmed in, it was surprising TO observe
how small the number looked which was
stored away in the spacious gallery
compared with that which had OBJ
structed the street a few moments before.
The decorations about the hall were very simple
Above the stage were half dozen handsome
flags. Upon the largest one which hung di-
rectly over the head of the presiding officer. was
the large picture of President Cleveland, which
was used on the occasion of the iatter's visit to
this city last fall. This was the only picture
and tiled to vehement protest from Mat Quinn,
Marion county delegate. who demanded early
in the proceeding that committee be sent out
instanter, so obtain picture of Hendricks. In
addition TO the flags, line of bunting. of ma
tional colors, extended around the hall, sus-
pended upon the small chandeliers in front of
the gallery, and arched above the stage.
Every arrangement had been completed by
the committee assigned 20 that duty. Tables
for the press were placed upon a temporary
platform in front of the charman's desk. The
banners of the various districts TODD about the
lower floor guide-posts for the unsophisticated
delegates. The large Seventh district delegation
was assigned seats little ia the rear of the
first row in the west tier, with the First and
Tenth district delegations behind it. The Sec
ond, Ninth and Thirteenth districts occupied
the right center; the Third and Sixth districts
the eft center, and the Twelfth. Fifth, Eighth
and Fourth districts the east tier.
The delegates began streaming in few min
utes before 10 o'clock They were slow in tax
ing their seats, and gathered in groups. blocking
the aisles The ''When Band" was stationed in
the upper gallery. and played at intervals until
the convention opened. In the intervals of mu-
sic, during the half hour preceding the call to
order. continuous buzzing assembled from the
busy swarm Of dickering delegates. At this time
a alevel-headed young man seized his opportunity
and did a thriving business in selling canes.
They were gorgeous red, black and blue crea-
tions, tipped with cocks head
Upon the stage grouped many OF In
diana's representative Democrats and Re-
publicans. There Judge Howk;
John R. Coffroth. Lafaystte; Judge Bus
kirk, Washngton Gen. NJ ID. Man
son; Hon. J. j. Cooper; Judge Mitchell; Judge
the Governor; Hon. Eb Henderson; John X.
Lamb; United States Marshal Ed Hawkins; Dis
trict Attorney Sellers; Colonel Farrar Peru;
inson; Judge McNutt; John w. Kern; James B.
Patton; David N. Berg; John w. Pc nee. Ander-
son; Capt j. j. Smiley, Greencastle; j. B. May
nard; State Senator Bryant; John w. Nelson,
Logansport; r. S. Gregory. Muncie; George
w. Cooper, Columbus; Lewis H. Jor-
dan: Hon. William Mason, Greenfield;
Alfred Major, Shelbyviile; Mayors Murray,
Connersville, and Kidd, Wabash; Ben L. Smith,
others.
There were very few ladies upon the stage
by his wife, and her sister, Mrs. Andrews. of
Connersvile, a lady of some literary reputation.
The wives of Governor Gray and Mr.. Pierre
Gray occupied seats in the left gallery.
Nearly all the candidates were among those oc-
cupying stage seats. Captain Myers arrived in
company with Leon o. Bailey few minutes
before 10 o'clock. and slipped in unobserved by
the audience because of the crowd which stood
and leaned back against the wall, directly be-
hind the charman's desk, looking greatly fa-
tigued. To . question from ore OF his friends
he answered hastily: 'sI believe So but don't
know; man can never tell in q situation OF
this kind"
Colonel Matson came In G few minutes later
Somebody down on the lower floor got glimpse
of him he vanished into corner of the stage
and started small ripple of applause. Like
Captain Myers. Colonel Matson looked care
worn and anxious. Judge Niblack Thos. r
Cohb and Robert Lowry. Of the dark horse
brigade, also present. Ex-Congressman
Cobb was dressed the most sober black, and
he walked slowly about hunting for a seat,
his face bore indication that he had any per-
sonal interest at stake in the convention about
to begin.