Idaho news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1887-1891, 1888-06-16
DEMooRArIo NATIONAL CONVENTION.
Chairman Barnun Calls n 10 order al
Noon on NE Oh.

ANu0utnh D0fHHht tnfH h 70 OTutf at
Noon on NE Oh.
ST. Louis, June 8. The democratic
national convention began TO gather in
the early hours of the morning, al
though the gayel Of Chairman Barnum
Of the national committee did not an
nounce its opening until noon. The
stream Of humanity which began TO
run into the big exposition building. as
early as o'clock had grown 10 n tor
rent, which surged 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 officer Of the convention.
The noble proportions Of the hall strike
one at once with admiration. II is OBJ
long in shape, relieved on either side
by balconies reaching back 200 feet,
above which, stretching entirely around
the auditorium. is spread the oyerhang-
ing gallery. The ample stage reaches
from the rear Of the chairman's plat
form fifty feet TO the east wall OF the
hall and accommodates 40 OF the gath
cred leaders of the national democracy,
who thus are enabled to overlook the
officers, delegates and spectators The
decorations are simple but eiiec-
tive. The stage is hung with red, white
and blue bunting, relieved 10y festoons
and borders Of eyergreens. Upon
pedestal ON the right Of the entrance Of
the stage stands bust of the president,
aud suspended upon the face of the
gallery above the stage, heavily framed
in gilt, Is a large portrait OF the presi-
dent in oil. On either side are similar
portraits OF Cleveland, Hancock, Til
den, Hendricks and Ex-Governor Mar
maduke Of Missouri. The balcony and
gallery pillars. and the face Of the long
winding galleries aud the fronts OF the
balconies, are prOfnBely decorated with
American flags in alternate long and
short festoons, caught up with large red,
white and blue rosettes. Festoons OF
American flags and red, white and blue
bunting are hung from the open wood
work supports Of the roof, and the high,
graceful pillars which support the raft
ers are bound with encircling gRrlauds
and roses OF eyergreens. Bending grace
| fully from the capitols OF the col
umns which uphold the gallery are
| dropping branches Of cedar and pine,
and upon the faces Of the columns above
heavy bannerettes bearing the arms Of
the states If the union. In the back.
ground Of the long hall is more elab-
ornto attempt az decoration. A heroic
statue Of Washington on horseback is
| framed in festoons Of large American
flags, which are caught in the center
Of the frame above the head of the
statue by an American shield, surmonnt-
ed hy the American eagle with wide
spread pinions gmsping in his talons .
sheaf OF green wheat. The statue,
which had the appearance Of marble,
wns highly relieved by background OF
rich brown plush silk.draped curtains.
The hall is amply lighted in the day
time hy long skylight in the roof, and
in the night hy $50 Heisler and 800 Edi-
son incandcseent electric lamps A
very striking effect is produced
in the gallery above the stage, in
full sight Of tho delegates aud spec.
tatnrs, by an enormous shaded drawing
Of the capitol at Washington upon a
background Of sky.blue canvass Pot.
ted piais and green shrnbbery are in
grniously arranged about the base Of
the picture, so as TO give the effect Of a
toFmccd park such IA leads up 10 the
capitol at Washington from the cast.
The illusion Is about perfect and Etrik.
ing. The picture Is sixty feet long and
tNenty.eight feet from the base 70 the
cap OF the Goddess OF Liberty at the
summit Of the dome. IL is the crown.
ing feature Of the decoration
Of the hall The delegates seats
are arranged entirely across the nave OF
the hall and stretched ninety feet in
front Of the platform. They are mr..
ranged with two aislos and in alphabet.
ical order beginning with the Alabama
delegation nt the extreme right from,
and ending with tho Wisconsin delega.
ton nj the extreme left front The
large New York delegation il nearly in
the center and the Pennsylvania delega.
ton two.thirds Of the distance back on
the left hand row Of seats. The Ohio
delegation is in the extreme southwest
corner