The morning call., 1892-06-22

CHICAGO, June 21.-The Cleveland plague
has fallen upon this convention. It was
shown this morning when tue gathering
was called to order with half the seats in
the great big room staring vacantly at the
chairman, who seemed TO feel the general
depression Of the occasion.
Aside from the scarcity in number Of
those present there was an utter lack Of en-
thusiasm, and only once or twice during the
entire session did the applause swell into
anything resembling q triumphant cheer.
Scarcely q cry went NJ from the galleries,
and the rain which pattered for time on
the roof added to the funeTeal nature Of the
occasion.
Stolidly the delegates sat in their seats
with solemn visages. and in rare instances
snly were heard those warm greetings of
delegations TO delegations which were
marked as characteristic of The Minneapolis
convention.
On the faces Of the Tammany delegates
there was a universal look Of dogged resig-
hation to the inevitable. Once did they
smile and that was when stream Of water
tTickled through the frame roof and came
splashing down upon their uncovered heads.
IT'S no use, New York can't keep in out
Of the wet" shouted some one in The gal
leTies, and there was q roar of laughter in
response which extended even to the chalr-
mans platform and the press stand.
Dick Croker who sat directly beneath
ihe folds Of the purple banner of the Empire
State, allowed his saturnine features to re-
lax into g smile, and Ed Murphy and
Bourke Cochran laughed until their well-ted
sides fairly shook. This was about the
enly relief from the general grimness Of the
occasion.
The scene within the vast amphitheater
was nc q: all impressive and at no time in
spring In the center Of the main floor
were anged tie seats of the different
deleRatIo.s, each State marked with pur-
PIE silk banner raised aloft upon pole and
bearing the name of the State in gold
letters. In the circle about the delegates
chairs seats for spectators rose tier above
tier, until the furIheTmost ones were almost
lost In the distance. Extending around the
entire interior Of the building was a broad
and capacious gallery. with lows Of chairs
running back and rising one above the
other almost TO the roof. Surm6untIng it
was a frail wooden covering so arranged as
90 leave a space for the air 20 circulate
through the building TIE rain was ex-
cluded by means Of canvas flap, which was
let down whenever the occasion required.
Directly in front of the delegates, and on
the west side of the building. stood the
speakers platform, upon which was the
desk over which Cleveland and Hendricks
were nominated in 1884. twas surmounted
by two immense bouquets OF daisies, peonies
and long green ferns, from over the top Of
which could be seen the red whiskers OF
Chairman Brice.
To the right and left of the platform ex-
tended the desks OF the newspa per men, ar
ranged iE long rows facing the floor Of the
convention.
Greater magnitude, but less appearance
Of permaneucy and less beauty Of finish dis
tiDguished the mammoth temporary struc-
tuTe from the Republican Convention Hall
at Minneapolis. In the latter the prevailing
tint was that of old gold, here there was the
glare Of white bunting, relieved only by
vivid bands of red and blue, with an occa-
sional dash Of gold.
Outside the building Gordon Of policemen
was drawn about the entrances to keep
back the surging crowd, which displayed an
unusual eageTness to catch a glimpse of
what was going on within. Ropes had been
stretched along the entire building at the
edge Of the sidewalk, and none but those
tickets TO the convention were within this
inclosare.
All in ell it looked Ike gigantic prize
ring and suggested a red-letter night at the
California Athletic Club 1t was muggv
thick, sweltering Chicago day. The air was
so thick with smoke that respiration was
difficult. Occasionally the sun struggled
through the gloom, Cnly to pass out of sight
again and make more visible the constantly
descending fakes Of SCOT. The surround
iDEs were gloomy in the extreme, and the
crowd that jOstled and swayed about the
entrances looked fully as gloomy as the
weather. Most Of the jostlng vas done
outside by those who had no means Of access
60 the building while those who held tick
cts struggled inside in an aimless, indOent
sort of way, as II indifferent to the entire
performance-and, once inside, they re-
lapsed into their seats with hopeless sigbs
and seemed to take no interest in what was
going On.