The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1892-04-12

The year 1888 was distinguished by the
brilliancy Of its national conventions
! That of the Democrats assembled at St.
Louis, June 5, in the Exposition building.
The latter accommodated 1900 people,
and from the platform the eye looked upon
a picture full of color such as has rarely
been seen in the United States. By an adj
mirable arrangement door opened into a
channel through which the multitude
foated into its allotted positions. The
floor was divided into three parts by heavy
plush covered ropes, the respective divi-
sions being intended for delegates, alter
mates and guests The balcony and gal
leries were allotted to the friends of the
delegates. The press arrangements were
such that every person in the vast assem-
blage was in view of every representative
of newspaper. The throng was notable.
There were present senators, governors,
congressman, mayors of cities and states
men of high and low degree filing every
kind of Office, while looking down upon
the distinguished throng from points
around the galleries were portraits or
statues of Cleveland, Tilden, Hendricks,
Hancock, jackson, Jefferson, Washington
and other famous personages in American
history.
The Republican convention of 1888, which
nominated General Harrison, was held
June 10, at Chicago, in the Auditorium
building. The dimensions of this hall
were 100 by 200 feet, with capacity for
more than 10000 people. The delegates
occupied opera chairs and every one was
within good listening distance from the
platform. More than 1909 seats were pro-
Nidn6 for fba crpnaral he
great galleries afforded ample accommo-
dation to all who held tickets Portraits of
Lincoln, Grant, Garfield and other notable
Republican leaders occupied places upon
the walls, and the six magnificent iron
arches supporting the ceiling were studded
with incandescent lights. Flags, bunting
and flowers added to the patriotic coloring
that prevailed throughout the building.
The ''wigwam" in which the national
Democratic convention will assemble the
present year, 1892, will be specially erected
in Chicago. The increasing political in
terest in these great meetings is still fur
Their illustrated by the fact that the con-
templated structure will have a frontage
of 400 feet and be $50 feet deep. An album
dance of windows supply light and air.
The stage will accommodate 800 persons.
vention are seats for 500 newspaper men,
while Immediately in front will be appor-
toned $40 seats for the delegates Broad
aisles open to these, SO that no confusion
can occur. Delegations from every state
may thus be in close touch with the pre-
siding officer and liberal provision will be
made in order that thay may promptly
communicate with each other. Stairways
to the galleries are to be thirty-two feet
wide, leading straight from the sidewalk,
and arrangements have been made to easily
accommodate from 1000 to IA, 600 people.
The estimated cost of the structure is
So, 000
The Republican convention of the pres
ent year will be held in the picturesque
city of Minneapolis. The delegates will
assemble on June z in what is known as
Exposition hall, a mammoth building hav-
ing seating capacity for 5000 persons,
and it is understood that arrangements are
in progress for the enlargement of space to
the end that it shall be equal to every de-