Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1888-06-08
white and black tall hats of the Chicago
ans nuicklQ nassed ont of the dannt


white and black tall hats of the Chicago
ans quickly passed out of the depot.
A Wisconsin delegation came next. fol-
lowed by the Hendricks Club from .Lafa-
yette, Ind, wearing "Gray' badges. and
were the first of the arrivals showing a
disposition to yell. The Topeka Demo-
cratic Flambeaux Club, with tin helmets
and canvas uniform, arrived about this
moment, and were soon joined by the
Kansas City Democratic Club. The feat
ure OF the morning probably was the Kan
sas City Democratic Clubs entry. Their
band was gayly arrayed, and the members
OF che club wore white hi gh hats and yell
low linen busters; and lots of them had
tied about their necks or wrapped about
their hats red bandana haudkerchiefs,
showing their leaning toward the old Ro-
man. One of these handkerchief woarers
had on the top Of his high hat a small
rooster. The club was preceded by the
grotesque-looking FlambeauX men in the
march down town.
The crowd of spectators stayed about
the depot sheds until Tammany arrived.
The crowds in the depot gazsd curiously
at the braves as they stepped off the cars.
Each wore red silk badge on which was
printed in silver letters the name Tam
Flower and few others of the Tamma-
nylteS boarded carriages at the depot and
were driven direct to their hotel. The
remainder fell in line and were escorted
on foot to the Exposition Building and
their hotels by the Hendricks Association.
The latter company followed the Tam
many men until Twelfth street was reach
ed, when they took the lead with their
band and led the van. The crowds that
followed from the depot were augmented
as the procession proceeded, and it was
evident that Tammany was the drawing
card.
THE DELEGATES COMMENCE GATHERING
IN THE GREAT EXPOSITION HALL.
The Democratic National Convention
began to gather in The early hours of the
morning, although the gavel of Chairman
Barnum, of the National Committee, will
not announce its opening until noon. The
trucking stream of humanity, which be-
gan to run into tie big Exposition build
ing IS early as o'clock, has grown to a
torrent, which surges in and fills the great
nave of the hall To ovel flowing, long before
noon.
Ten thousand human faces gaze 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 delegation.
Full Of curious interest for the expect
ant multitude, the noble proportions of
the hall strike one at once with admira-
ton. It is oblOng in shape. relieved upon
either side by balconies reaching back 200
feet, above which, stretched entirely
around the auditorium, is broad over
hanging gallery. The ample stage reaches
from the rear of the chairman's platform
Fifty feet to the east wall of the hall and
accommodates 440 of the gathered leaders
and fathers of the National Democracy,
who thus ale enabled to overlook the
officers, delegates and spectators. The
decorations are simple but effective. The
stage is hung with red, white and blue
bunting, relieved by festoOns and borders
of evergreens. Upon a pedestal On the
right CT the entrance of the stage stands a
bust of the President, and suspended
upon the face of the gallery above the
portrait of the President in oil. On either
side are similar portraits of Cleveland,
Hancock, Tilden, Hendricks, and ex-Gov.
Marmaduke Of Missouri.
Tie balcony and gallery pillars, and the
face OF the lcng-windlng galleries and
fronts of the balconies are profusely de-
corated with American flags in alternate
large and short festoons, caught up with
large red, white and blue rosettes. Fes-
toons Of American flags, and red, white
and blue bunting hang from the open
woodwork supporting the roof, and high,
graceful pillars which support the rafters
are bound with eIcircling garlands and
ropes of evergreens. Bending gracefully
IL :" nitais of tn" ccls.c.s' "hi"A
upheld the gallery are droopiog branches
of cedar and nipQ on9 70 Of
the columns above hang bannerettes bear
ing the arms of the States of the Union.
In the background. along the hall, is
more striking decoration-the ,teroic
statue Of Washington On horseback framed
in a festoon OF large American flags,
which are caught in the centre OF the
frame above the head of the statue by an
American shield surmcunted by an Amer
lean eagle with widespread pinions grasp
ing in his talons a sheaf of green wheat.
The statue. which has the appearance of
marble, is highly relieved by a background
of rich-brOWn plush silk draped curtains.
The hall is amply lighted in the day
time by long skylight 10 the roof, and in
the night by $50 Helsler and 300 Edison
electric lamps. A very strik-
ing effect is produced in the gallery above
the stage. IN full sight of the delegates and |
spectators, 10y shaded drawing of the
Capitol at Washington upon a background |
of sky-blue canvas. Potted plants and |
green shrubbery are ingeniously arranged |
about the base of the picture so as to give |
the effect of q terraced park, such as leads |
up to the Capitol at Washington from the |
east. The illusion is perfect, and the
striking picture, sixty feet long and TWEEN
tY-eight feet from the base to the cap of
the Goddess of Liberty at the summit of
the dome, is the GROWING feature of the
decoration of the hall. The delegates
seats are arranged entirely across the nave
Of the hall and stretch ninety feet in front |
of the platform. They are arranged with
two aisles and in alphabetical order, be-
ginning with Alabama, the delegation at
The extreme right, and ending with Wis
consiD, the delegation at the extreme left |
front. The large New York delegation
is nearly in the centre, and the Pennsyl |
vania delegation two-thirds of the dis
lance back on the left hand row of seats.
The Ohio delegation is in the extreme
southwest corner.
POURING IN WITH SHOUTS OF WELL
COME.
11:z5 A. M.-There was applause and
cheering at the entrance of the Cleveland |
Club of Buffalo with band playing Dixie"
The cheering was renewed and con tinued |
for several minutes.
Has A. M.-The entrance of Chairman
Barnum was greeted with applause and |
The waving of handkerchefs.
11:46 A. M.-The Hendricks Club, of |
Indianapolis, entered the gallery amid |
cheering and waving of white hats on the |
dpor.
Il:49 A. M,-The Hendricks banner