The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1888-06-07
THE DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION.
Scenes and Incidents at st. Louisa Tenn
porary Organization Effected.

CONVENTION HALL, ST. Louis. June
5.-The Democratic National Conven-
ton began to gather in the early hours
of the morning, although the gavel of
Chairman Barnum of the national
committee did not announce its open
ing until noon. The trickling stream
of humanity which began to run into
the big Exposition building rs early as
S o'clock had grown to torrent, which
urged in and filled the great nave of the
hall to overtiowing, and long before
noon 10000 human faces gaZed upon
the high desk reserved for the presiding
officer Of the convention, as yet empty,
but with its cleaning white silver
gavel, the gift Of the Nevada delega-
ton, full of curious interest for the eN-
pectant multitude.
The noble proportions Of the hall
strike one at once with admiration. 1t
is oblong, relieved upon either side by
balconies reaching back 200 feet, above
which, stretching entirely around the
auditorium, is broad overhanging
gallery. The ample stage reaches from
the rear of the chairman platform fifty
feet to the east wall of the hall, and ac-
commodities 440 Of the gathered leaders
and fathers Of the national Democracy,
who thus are enabled to overlook the
officers, delegates and spectators.
At noon all the delegations had al
rived.at Convention Hall except those
from New York and Missouri. The
absence of the New York delegation
made a large gap in the centre Of the
ln1n hn
convention waited with mingled feel
ings of curiosity and impatience for the
appearance of the Empire States rep
resentatives. 1t was fifteen minutes
before they came into the convention,
headed by Ex-Mayor Grace, of New
York city. Conspicuous as it marched
to its place, with the eyes Of the con-
vention fixed upon it, was the distin-
guished figure Of Daniel Dougherty,
who was to place Cleveland in nonli-
nation, and he was cheered.
UNFURLING THE BANDANAS.
At this momenta Colorado delegate
mounted chair, and unfurling a red
handkerchief placed it upon the banner
pole of the delegation. This was the
signal for the appearance of hundreds
of the Old Romans standard, and in
almost an instant the banner poles of
Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Nebraska,
West Virginia, Florida, Utah, New
Mexico, Ohio, New Hampshire, New
Jersey, Delaware, Oregon and Nevada
were decorated with red handkcrchlets,
and from the gallery, balconies and the
nave OF the hall proper red handanas
waved all over the auditorium. y
cheer burst from a thousand threats in
the galleries, which was caught up by
the convention and grew III volume
until the blare Of the hand trumpets
and the noise of the bass drum w;ls
drowned in the greater volume Of the
convention's full-thr0ated voice.
4 NOTICEABLE INCIDENT
of the demonstrations Of approval as
the hour of the opening Of the conven-
ton approached was the tlutter of
handkerchiefs and waving OF fans by
ladies who filled a double row of lodges
arranged along the front Of the two
galleries, which have been given up
almost exclusively to women, whose
bright attire and pretty faces lent addl-
tional attraction to the convention
ensemble. Visiting clubs with en-
blazoned banners came in late, but as
each well-known organization was re-
cogniZed they were greeted with cheers.
The Tammany Hall braves were among
the first to appear, followed closely by
the New York County Democracy and
the local st. Louis organization. The
Randall Club, with its gorgeous black
and gold banner and led by Squire"
William McMullen, the hero of seven
National Conventions, marched IN
proudly and wele generally applauded.
CALLING THE CONVENTION TO ORDER.
Chairman Barnum, who had advanc-
ed to the high desk on the platform,
waited for the cheers to subside.
At 12.35 the vast assemblage was
silenced by stroke from the gavel OF
Chairman Barnum, and the Demo-
cratic Convention of 1888 was formally
in session.
The chairman introduced Bishop J.
B. Cranberry, of st. Louis, who opened
the proceedings with prayer. He rem
dered dcvout thanks for the many
benefits which this country had recelv-
ed from the hands of Providence, pray
ed for the continuance Of those bountles
and called down the Divine blessing on
the President and all those in authority.
The chair then stated that, acting
under the authority conferred Oh him
by the national Democratic committee,
he would present 10 the convention the
names OF TWO persons selected by the
committee to preside over and officer
the temporary organization OF the con-
vention. As the secretary read the name
CT :. N. White, of California, rs tenn
porary chairman, the convention greet
ed it with cheers. Us it also greeted the
name Of L. 0. Prince, of Massachusetts,
as secretary. The reading OF the list OF
officers having been concluded, the
choice Of the committee WAS ratlfled by
the unanimous vote OF the convention.
THE TEMPORARY ANIMATION.