, 1888-06-06
The Democratic National Con-
vention Formally Opened.
Pacific Coast Delegates the
Heroes of the Hour.
Governor White Elected Tenn
porary Chairman
All Delegates Ready and Eager
for Business.
Enthusiastic Scenes in Conven-
ton Hall.
Col. Patrick Collins for Perma-
nent Chairman.
List of Temporary and Perma-
nent Officers.
List of Temporary and Perma.
nent Officers.
The Meeting Place.


ST.. LOUIS, June 5.-The Democratic
national convention began to gather IN
the early hours of the morning, although
Chairman Barnum did not the
opening until noon. The noble proper
lions of the hall strike the multitude at
once with admiration. 1t is oblong in
shape, relieved on either side by balconies
reaching back 200 feet, above which,
stretching entirely around the auditorium,
is a broad overhanging gallery.
An ample stage reaches from the rear
of the chairman's platform fifty feet to
the east wall of the hall and accommo
dates 440 of the gathered leaders and
fathers OF the national Democracy. 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 of the entrance of the stage stands
Il bust of the president, and suspended
upon the face of the gallery over the
stage is a large portrait of the president
in oil. On either side are similar portraits
OF Cleveland, Hancock, Tilden, Hendricks
and Ex-Governor Marmaduke of Mis-
sour.
A VERY STRIKING EFFECT
Is produced in the gallery above the stage
by an enormous shaded drawing of the
capitol at Washington upon a background
Of sky blue canvas. The delegates of the
states are arranged entirely across the
nave of the hall and stretch ninety feet
in front of the pl ,tform. They are ar
ranged with aisles and in alphabetical or
der, beginning with Alabama at the right
and ending with Wisconsin on the left.
Beginning to Assemble.
Someone comes in and passing down
the stage places au immense basket of
roses on the stand at the right OF the
chairman s desk, as yet unoccupied, and
the incident provokes cheers. A n~oticed-
Bile incident Of the demonstrations of ap.
proval as the Jour of opening the conven-
ton approaches is the lutter of handker-
chiefs and waving of fans by the ladies
who fill the double row of boxes arranged
along the front of the two galleries which
have been gwen up almost exclusively to
women, whose bright attire and pretty
faces lend additional attraction to the con-
vention ensemble.
WHILE THE CLEVELAND CLUB
is thus enthusing the convention Stephen
M. White, of California, who is to be
temporary chairman of the convention,
steps quietly into his seat, very few peo-
pie in the hall recognizing him. White
is a man of strong physique, stoutly built
and Of medium height, with a full, broad
forehead. While he is shaking hands
with the California delegates the Cleve-
land clubs parade has come to an end and
the standard bearer plants the Cleveland
banner directly in front of the great pic
ture of the capitol in the east gallery.
This significant incident arouses redoubled
cheers from the throng in the nave of the
hall below.
CHAIRMAN BARNuM,
of the national committee, appears this
momen upon the platform and is in
stantly recognized amid the general APP
plause. The Hendricks club, of Indian
apolis, increases the volume of cheering
as it marches up to the east gallery and
places its banner by the side of the Cleve-
land Democracy banner.
THE VISITING CLUBS,
with emblazoned banners, came in late,
but as each well known organization is
recognized they are greeted with cheers.
TammanY hall braves are among the first
to appear, followed closely by the New
York County Democracy and the local St.
Louis organizations. The Randall club,
with its gorgeous black and gold banner,
and led by Squire McMullin, the hero
of seven national conventions, marches in
proudly and are generously a~pplauded.
The first of the great national Democratic
figures to appear among the delegates is
the tall form OF the senior senator from
Indiana, Daniel w. Voorhees,, and he is
at once recognized and cheered to the
echo. The Cleveland Democracy of Buff
falo, with a full brass band playing
Dixie" marches into the gallery and
creates something of u sensation, the con
vention bursting into applause and cheers,
which continue until the club has made
the circuit of the gallery and is seated.
The clubs crimson banner with its CON
spicuous gold letters inscribing the presi-
dents name became at once one of the
most conspicuous and popular ornaments
in the room. Every member of the club
wears a high hat and Cleveland badge.
CONGRESSMAN soosr,
his face wreathed in smiles, as though
everything had been arranged to his salts
faction, marched in at the head OF the
Pennsylvania delegation and looked up at
the gathered fathers of Democracy upon
the stage assuringly. Several of them
rod to him, and as the Keystone dele
gates pass on to their seats Mr. Scott
steps IN front of the secretary's stand and
holds a brief consultation with some