Hillsboro recorder., 1888-06-28
REPUBLICANS MEET
T0 NOMINATE PRESIDENTIAL
CANDIDATES.
THE HALL BEAUTIFULLY DECORATED
GAyELs PREsENTED-FRED DOUGLASS
sPEAKs--coL. FRED. GRANT PRESENT


sPEAKs-coL. FRED. GRANT PRESENT,
Before the Convention assembled, i'm
mense crowds visited the grand hall in
which the National Republican Conven-
tion were to meet to choose presden-
tial candidate. At the apex Ia front Of
the chairman's desk was a gilded
American eagle, and beneath 1t por.
trajt Of Washington, On the right OF
rhe chairman's desk was plaster bust OF
Gen. John A. Logan, in heroic size,
draped with an American flag. Hang-
ing from one Of the boxes Az the right
was large painting Of Logan's charge
at the battle OF Atlanta. On the face OF
the north and south walls OF the audito-
Iium, framed in festoons Of large Amer
ican flags and surrounded by circle Of
electric stars, were portraits OF Lincoln
and Grant, the designs being mammoth
in proportion, and form two Of the most
striking details Of the decorations.
Flashing its parti-colored brilliancy
full into the face OF the
audience and delegates, was
pended an American shield, formed Of
different colored electric lamps. This
shield, its horizon Of stars, its stripes Of
the Union, are all pictured out and put
In a basso relieve Of light by flashing Jets
through red, white and blue globes. At
points OF exit and entrance to the hall,
which dip like great wells into the audi
forum, are the nations standards,
planted at either side and drsped so as
20 hide The rough boards which form the
staircases Of these avenues 70 the con-
yention, of which there are sufficient to
empty the place in case Of accident in
three minutes.
The Boston club planted is magniii.
cent banner, five feet long, just behind
the stage and il proudly foaicd, bearing
In letters of gold upon field Of blue,
the sentiments which sppear TO be upper
most In the minds OF the delegates. The
banner Is inscribed: ssHome Market Club
J OF Boston. American ways for American
workngmen. American markets for the
American people. Protection for Ameri.
can homes.n This banner is marked By
the delegates as they come into The hall,
and BY spectators as they gather in the
galleries and balconies. II was cheered
time after time.
The arrangement Of delegates seats
was made 10 alphabetical order, begin
ming with Alabama, on the extreme right
aisle, through the two big states Of New
York and Pennsylvania together on the
front, facing Washington's portrait on
panel OF the chairmans platform. Tho
Maine, Massachusetts,. Minnesota, Ala
bama, Arizona and Dakota delegations
had front seats. The Ohio delegation
was directly back Of the New York
seats, while Missouri, Iowa and and Iii.
nois are on the main isle near the center
OF the space reserved for the delegates.
The space reserved for the District
Columbia delegation, was designated By
white banner, marked in black letters.
This Is conspicuous departure from the
general planof voting delegations, the
situation Of all others beng designated
by blue silk banner, lettcred in gold.
A significant view was the open space of
empty seats in the Virginia delegation.
The doors were not opened until oil Of
The interior arrangements were complct-
ed and the crowd was KEEP, waiting un.
al two large bouquets Of cut flowers and
floral shield were being nailed upon the
ehairman's desk, which bears In Greek
letters this inscription: "Jamcs A. Gar.
field was nominated from this desk in
1880 and James @. Blaine was nominated
from this desk In 1884,
Chairman Jones' OF the national COM
mittee, came upon the platform Just be-
fore the convention was called to order
and brought with him two handsome
oak gavels, one merely polished and In
tended for hard pounding. The other il
amorc pretentious affair, intended as
gift TO the temporary chairman, Is richly
chased In gold. and has engraved upon
lie several gold bands the names of
Washington, Lafayette, Grant, Lincoln,
Garfield and Logan. Precisely at 1880,
on Tuesday, the gavel Of Chairman
Jones, Of the National Republican Com
mittee, sounded Sharply upon the ma
hogany desk, and the Republican Con.
vcniion Of 1888 was formally opened.
The hum Of conversation ceased
throughout the vast auditorium, and the
buzz Of expectation gave place 10 the
impressive silence as the chairman intro
dueod Rev. Frank w. Cunsauler, OF
Plymouth Congregational Church Of
Chicago, who opened the proceedings
with prayer At the conclusion Or the
prayer, Chairman Jones announced that
the secretary. Mr. Fesscnden, Of the na.
tional committee, would read the call
for the convention issued by the national
committee.
Mr.. Jones made an address, and Mr..
Thnrton, the temporary chairman, then
announced long list Of secretaries, as.
nstanfaut secretaries, serQeanls.at. arms.
&C., Tor temporary organization. After
the reading OF the list Of officers wascom-
pleted, the bands struck IN a medley ~
national airs, which was warmly received
BY the audience, and as the air turned
into Marching Through Georgia. tho
assemblagc caught up the refrain and the
chorus Of many voices resounding
throughout the hall. Gen. Fremont was
presented 10 the convention, Fred Doug
lass made q speech, bouquets were pre.
sented 10 Miss Rachel sherman, danQh.
ter Of the Zen. Sherman, and Mrs. Thurs.
ton. the wife ~ The tptnunrarv chair,ao,,