New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-06-16
other doubtful States can poll the most In those
A SPLENDID CONVENTION HALL
HID IN WHAT LOOKS LIKE A GREAT GRANITE Ruin

HID IN WHAT A GREAT GhANiiS A'SA-'
Its GORGEOUS DECORATIONS.
| Chicago Juno Is (speciaD.-The Chicago Audi'o-
rium' the huge building is called in which the Con
vention Hall is situated, presents the appearance a'
present of attractive old ruin, and Il only neens
BIT Of moonlight and slight short sighedness ID iooN
Ing at the structure to imagine that Chicago IS III is
hour OF dccadencc This is only an outward Nio"'
and the great blocks of gray granite that rise 10
height of five stories but yet uncrowncd Win any
roof are only the she'll to magnificent Interior Inc
building is, in fact in very incomplete state ana
apparently only temporary roof has been pu, oNor
the hall I'm which the Convention is to meet cover
ing, however It does complete city block ann
built of massive blocks of granite its whole effect as
building is highly impressive and when, grophs
ones way, 1t were. into the ruins of Karnac, past
enormous heaps of stone, brick and mortar, one mas
hidden within this granite quarry magnificent hai'
one must admire the public spirit which has ue
signed and brought It into being. The Auditorium
Company is composed Of some gentlemen of chicago
who desiring to aid their city, have expended S2ooo'-
600 in the construction Of building which VIII con-
tain the finest convention hall in the United STATES
Besides the hall the building will contain 400 rooms
for hotel The architect Of the building was four
months in Europe examining the great opera houses
theatres and concert halls, with the object of learning
the best form for hall which could be used for either
convention a theatre. AS a theatre 1t Will have
OF the best and widest stages I'm the country the
"well' into which the scenery is sunk The haii Is
broad and high one 1t resembles I'm general enece
the Metropolitan Opera House in New-York; although
1t should be said that the second gallery is as deep ana
large and will hold many persons as the family cfcie
Of the Metropolitan.
To-day this hall has been splenddly decorated WIN
American flags. They hang above the stage and down
from the ceiling they cover the face OF the boxes
and of the three galleries, they hide the face oil the
wall on either hand Rarely has there been seen III
America such a beautiful arrangement and display Oh
color. Coupled with the ornamentation by flags ana
bunting is that of colored globes containing the Edison
electric light. These colored electric globes have
been arranged in stars, sngy in rows, in circles they
run along the face of the galleries, they hang down
from the ceiling they stand in great circle OF stars
either WALL Illuminating gigantic portraits OF Grant
and Lincoln. Finally they are gathered together In
large Union shield, containing $50 tricoored lights
red white and blue. This shield blazes with light,
beautiful spectacle, Just above the chairmans desk
All the electric lights were burning in the hall this
afternoon and not only did they illuminate 1t, but
they were highly decorative themselves. What with
the flags the bunting and the colored electric lghts'
the hall may be said to be magnihcently decorated
This afternoon workmen were busy putting on the
face of tho great galleries the shields of the Sta'es
and the portraits of eminent Republicans There now
look down from the galleries the faces OF James
A. Garfield, John A. Logan, Roscoe Conkling, Salmon
p. Chase Charles Sumner w. T. Sherman, Edwin NJ
Stanton, and william H. Seward. An oil painting OF
General Logan at the head of his troops, fighting the
battle of Atlanta, has been placed the wall at the
left of the chairman.
The hall will seat s,12O persons. OF this number
there Will be 300 persons in the first gallery 500 In
boxes, 600 in the second gallery, 500 in the third
gallery. 900 beneath a gallery back Of the charmans
desk 900 in the gallery back of the chairman's desk
and $50 Journalists; not to speak of the delegates
and alternaes One excellent feature of the hall VIII
the delegates. The delegates will be seated In the
orchestra and delegate Will be more than sixty feet
from the chairman. In fact, every care has been
taken to concentrate the convention so as TO make
speaking and hearing easy. The other admirable
arrangements of the hall promise acoustic properties
as excellent those Of the hall at st. Louis were
abomnable.