The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-06-07
Tho News in ~. LonIs.

ST. LOUIS, Mo-, June 0.-The first init
nation that the members Of the Tammany
delegation received that their hall was
burning came from u reporter who called
at the headquarters at the Southern hotel
with copy of the telegram. Not moro
than half dozen Of the members of the
society were present, who were thrown
into a state Of great excitement 10y the UNI
expected news. Within few moments
the dispatch had been copied several
times, and the delegates were hurrying
about the hotel carrying the bad news Ia
their brother delegates. The hcadqunr.
tcrs room rapidly filed up with members
of the society, many of them only
half dressed, who had hastcncd
from their rooms on hearing the
unwclcomc tidings, and anxious 10
obtain particulars. The Tammnny men
were soon reinforced by dozens Of tho
county Democracy, who lorgctful Of their
traditional animosity, We'd with the Tam
manyitcs In their expressions Of regret,
aud expressed the ardent hope that the
destruction would not be complete. The
excitement incident 10 the convention
seemed entirely forgotten in the great
calamity which threatened the famous
New York organization, and instead of
political controversy aud tariff talk, moth
ing was heard In the large headquarters
room but expressions Of regret Rt the
threatened destruction Of the famous hall,
which had been the scene Of many histor.
teal political contests. the headquarters OF
Democracy in the great metropolis II the
nation, and was associated In the minds Of
all with many oi the most influential men
the country has produced. Although the
building h very valuable and its dcstruc-
ton would entail an exceedingly heavy
loss 20 the Tammany society, II was a re-
markablc fact that among all the OK.
prcSsiuns Of regret, not once WIS the pc
cuniary loss mentioned, but the grief
seemed 81 take an entirely sentimental
form, the destruction Of M historical q
land mark aud one around which ~ many
rccnllcciions and associations clustered
being the points almost exclusively dwclt
upon.
Delegates from other States, attracted by
the thnng that assembled about the door
Of the Tammany delegation, FASTENED "a
the scene, aud ~ soon NJ they read III,
bulletin, which was posted Ia q conspicu
Gus place, were not slow In expressing
sprad like wildnp throughout the city
and was the universal topic Of converse
ton, cntrly suspcndng for the time be
ing all discussion Of the political situation
II was evident that In spite nl the hustilit,
felt boy many toward the Immany organ
iEation, that is misfortune called foril
general sympathy, aud that the dcslruc
ton Oi its well known headquarters &C
al HaNfa
A remarkable and Characteristic fcatur
Of the gathering was the fact that no soon
or than the news spread than q discussion
sprung up ~ to the best mode Of recon
stmclsg the hall. Tho probable amour
Of damagu was rckoncl and plans mad
for every contingency from complete ne
struction to comparatively slight damage
No one suggested the possibility Of the lin
leading % any permanent curtailmcnt ID
the facilities afforded by tho building. bu
Il was agreed on all hands that any in
jury, no matter how great, would be- nor
than made good within q short time. an,
enough money was on the spur Of the mo
mcnt pledged 60 entirely reconstruct th
building The fear Of the destruction a
the valuable records was the most pressing
anxiety felt. but the assurances III thua
best acquainted with the manner In whicl
they were guarded against injury SCOT
convinced ml that there was no danger q
any disaster Detailing these, and the OK
pv-luus ~ regret we're confined to th
possible destruction 81 the hall, the lihmr
and the many portraits Of historic chara,
tens. The hope was universally espresso
that These would be- saved. Further pai
ticular wcrc anxiously awaited, while IA
wins were crowded by messages 10 mem
bcm Of the organization In New York.