Omaha daily bee., 1892-06-22
DURING THE STORM
Democracy's National Convention Opened
Amid Thunder, Lightning and Rain.
LITTLE ENTHUSIASM WAS APPARENT
Delegates, Spectators aud Speakers Cold
and Indifferent to Surroundings
BlAlNE'S NAME AWAKENS THE CROWD
Resolution of Sympathy for the Stricken
Family Passed By the Convention.
BlAlNE'S NAME kWAKENS THE CROWD
CHlCAGO'S RAPAClTY is CRITICIZED
Anxiety OF the Residents to Make the
Visitors Pay for Everything Causes
Much Unpleasant Communicative
land aud Gray the Ticket.

CurcAoo, Ill, June 2l.-lSpecial Telegram
TO The BEE. The democratic national con-
vention of 1892 was ushered in amid atmos-
pheric commissions typfying to q marked de-
gree the internal storms that rend the party |
representatives here. The crowd began to |
gather as early as 10 O'Clock The streets |
adjacent TO the wigwam were packed with |
jostling, noisy throng sweltering in murky |
atmosphere, and scorched by the rays OF the |
sun concentrated through the riffs OF |
threatening Clouds
Inside the air was like that OF steam |
bath, mingled with the odor of soggy WOOD. |
Huge timbers supporting the rooi were |
draped in white with here and there |
streak of red and blue. They obstructed the
view and lent a ghastly aspect to the cheer |
less surroundings, The decorations were
shabby, with the exception of flags and
shields draped on the gallery railing, and
wealth of palns and potted plants back OF
the platform, ana few flags draped around
paintings of the party's fathers. There was
nothing to relieve the somber surroundings
or evoke an exclamation of pleasure.
Those who attended the Minneapolis con-
vention pronounce the exposition, hall Its
decorations and conveniences as far ABOVE
the wigwam as palace is above stable.
While tho Clouds Rolled by.
At noon the clouds lowered and the gloom
In the hall thlckened Flashes of lightning
ana peals of thunder shooH the building. jan
itors scurried over tho roof, lowering the
canvas coverings over the skylght and
ventilators. The gloom of dusk
succeeded day and the rain poured
down in torrents. Umbrellas were
raised In various parts of the hall. Symp-
toms of panic were visible, but the band
struck up lively air which allayed the fears
of the timid A few minutes later the clouds
rolled by, the sun burst forth, mighty
cheer of thankfulness filed the building and
the oand played Nearer My God to Thee"
The incident is regarded by members of
tho faith as prophetic of the result in No
vember OF the campaign of education which
Chairman Owens commended should begin
promptly.
The great leaders Of the democracy-Gor-
man, Watterson, Bayard, Villas, Whitney,
Abbott and others-cane in unheralded
md unuoticed. The only cheers of greeting
were for Governor Boies, Tammany and
Governor Campbell. The audience was cold
and unapprcciative. Chairman Owens ad-
dress, an ordinary, splritless one on an occa-
sion that should inspire a great effort, re-
ceived but feeble applause until his closing
reference to the Minneapolis bread and but
ter brigade.
Manly and American.
The action of the committee rendering the
sympathy Of the democracy to Hon. james
G. Blaine in his great bereavement is COM
mended generally us a gallant, manly, Amer
icon act. The reading of the resolution was
greeted with applause lasting five minutes,
ana the cheers were again renewed when
Delegate Sweet of Maine touchingly thanked
the convention for the expression of SYM
pathy for distinguished fellow citizen.
Chicago's RapacIty.
Tho rapacity of Chicago people in their
treatment of the democrats and visitors as
sembled here Is scandalous. Having invited
the convention to meet here. agreeing to pro-
vide proper accommodations, the local party
managers attempt 10 hold up every visitor
with as much GOODNESS and audacity the
stage robber displays when he has tho drop
on his victim. The number of tickets orig
inally allotted 10 state delegations for
visitors was cut oown and those
with tho surplus were parceled out
among the hotels and offered for sale at S25
each. Prominent hotels subscribed $1,000
each TO the wigwam fund and were given
tickets valued Mt $50 each. These they
sought to unload on visitors in addition 10 n
general fieecing in the matter of accoDmo-
cations.
Comparatively few consented TO be bled.
Over ZOO seats were vacant in the wigwam
at the session today, while 10000 people,
hundreds Of them from distant points, were
shut out By the exorbitant prices demanded.
The scandal was considered by the couven-
~ tiou and a committee instructed to prevent II
In tho fu,ure.
Favorite Combination.
Cleveland and Gray is the favorite combi-
nation tonight. The nomination OF the for
mcr is as certain as any event IN the future
can DO. Ii Is now only question whether
the nomination will be unanimous on the
first ballot.
The streets are packed with marching
thousands; sky rockets and red fire. bands
and drums make the night lurid ana hideous
The Iowa boys arc winding up the campaign
for their favorite governor with cheers
gongs and horns. Squads of Clevelandite
invaded the laIr Of the Tammany tiger ana
proceeded 10 tame the animal. The former
were arrogant and sarcastic; tho Tammany
tics sullen, bitter and dangerous. Hot con
troversies were exciting ami furious aud the
police had to interfere to prevent physica
collisions.
There Is nothing 10 prevent the convention
from ratifying tomorrow the ticket aread,
made up. Tho anu-Hiu contest has beer
abandoned, so That there will DO no delay
with the credentials. Drafting platform /:
iormallty, as Cleveland is the platform
Chicagoans are endeavoring TO proong tn,
sessiol until Thursday, chiefly TO compen
safe them for the erection OF the wipwam.
Il. ]. T..