Los Angeles herald., 1892-06-22
CONVENTION IN SESSION.
THE FIRST MEETING IN THE BIG
WIGWAM.
Twenty Thousand People Within It's
Walls-A Threatened o. clone Causes
Many Faces to Blanch - The
Temporary Organizations

CHICAGO, June 21.--A circus tent
greatly magnified, with dozen huge
white pendants stretched from the GOV.
ering to the floor, was the appearance ol
the big Democratic wigwam today.
. What appeared to be pendants, were
really stout posts, supporting q great
canopy of wood, raised some distance
above the walls, to admit light and air
from all sides. Blue silken banners
we're distributed on the main floors,
bearing the names of the various states,
and showing where the state delega-
tions should be seated. Around and
back of them, rising like an amphi-
theater were eleven tiers of seats for the
spectators. The entire structure has
room for more than twenty thousand
people.
The chairman's desk, the same over
which Tilden and Hendricks were
nominated in 1884, was surmounted by
huge bouquets of flowers. Today the
great interior was wreathed in red,
white and blue shields OF the different
states, with portraits of honored Demo.
Gratis of the past. The states were
seated according to their alphabetical
order, Alabama having the front row,
New York being we'll back.
The crowd began to gather as early as
IL o'clock, though the convention was
not to be called to order till noon, and it
was long after that hour before the actual
calling to order took place. When the
gavel finally fell, the great structure was
completely filed with people.
While the convention was assembling,
the blue satin banner of the Horace
Boies club OF Davenport, Ia, was borne
forward at the head Of that delegation oi
rugged men who will sit in the conven.
ton and vote for their governor to the
last ditch. They were greeted with ap-
plause. as were the Tammany leaders oi
New York, who followed closely. Then
came Illinois and Pennsylvania; then in
groups, pairs and singly, the other states
took their places.
THE CONVENTION IN GLOOM.
It was high noon. A black shadow
crept up from che north and overspread
the sky. The great spaces under the
galleries became dim and shadowy. A
hush crept over the throng, and white
faces were turned upward to the open.
ing beneath the light wooden roof.
Was the roof again to be blown away
Would the terrific winds come out of the
growing blackness? Was there danger
Would there be peril in remaining?
But as the shadow finally enveloped
the entire structure. luckily no cry ol
fear came, though women's faces were
white and mems faces tense with
anxiety. Then came vivid flash oi
lightning and the booming report ol
thunder reached the anxious crowd.
Darker grew the murky air. Atlength
so great was the darkness that the news
writers were compelled to pause, unable
to see. Quickly followed rattling burst
of rain upon the roof. Almost instantly
stream Of water flowed down through
crack, directly upon the heads Of the
New York delegation. Umbrellas were
hoisted and the storm was ON.
Furious wind, quick thunder rolls and
rain dashes continued ten minutes. Nc
cry OF fear or dismay was uttered. Sud.
denly as the storm had come it passed
away, and light followed within the
great hall: The wall Of faces took on 9
look OF relief.
TEMPORARY ORGANIZATION.
Then the chairman Of the national