The weekly tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1891-1894, 1892-06-11

THE CONVENTION HALL.

locomotive bells will not disturb the
proceedings. Neither will the smoke
from the engines find access into the
building and clog the Threats of the
orators. dis was the case at the conven-
tons held in the old Exposition building.
There was some talk of utilizing that
historic structure again this year. but
the fiat had gone forth for its destruc-
ton. and the old time discomforts Of
delegates and spectators within its walls
We're strong enough i'll the memoirs of
the local managers to deter them from
petltionlng for a ~postponement of its
fate. The Auditorium was also sug-
gested, but commod:ous as that mag
niticent hall is it was pronounced in
sufficient for the requirements of the
occasion.
Chicago had made no effort to secure
the conventional came to her rs the
Voluntary gift of the national commit
tee. She readily accepted the unlocked
for honor. however. and determined that
nipple provision should be made for the
rast throng To assemble within her hos
litable borders. For convention pur-
l->NS liODtl lllt W. VAIN VIZ lllf Itht
front was devised to accommodate To-
900 people. 1t was atterward estimated
that. including the delegates. nearer 20
200 would desire TO assist in this great
council Of the Democratic party. and
the first plans We're accordingly Ell
larged. The ~improviSed auditorium is
probably the largest in the world. and
is acoustic properties and seating ar
engagements are declared TO De ulsur-
passed.
The building. which is of wood, fronts
On Michigan avenue, where there are
four large entrances. These will be used
exclusively by the delegates, newspaper
men and persons invited to seats on the
stage. On the north and south side are
doors for the admission Of the general
public. The stage is on the Michigan
avenue side. 1t will accommodate 800
or 400 people. A ~commodious rostrum
is in front Of the stage. facing east. This
IS for the accommodation of the officers
and speakers.
East of the rostrum are the desks FOR
the official reporters and the stenogra-
pners of the Associated Press and Unit
ed Press, which will supply their patrons
with a verbatim report of the proceed
Ings. The newspaper workers have 100
seats on either side of the rostrum. So
arranged that every man can see aud
hear without straining. Editorial spec
tators-tAOse from country papers and
those who have no actual work 10 do
during the proceedings-will be as
signed good positions III the galleries.
one thousand seats have been set apart
FOR the delegates in the pit Immediately
in front Of the stage. 70 prevent con-
fusion. the a~lternates will he seated in
convenient places in the galleries. 1t
has been decrced also that they shall
not be allowed upon the main floor or
PIT unless they are to serve in lieu of
regular delegates. The seats rising from
the outer edges Of the pit will accommo-
date 5000 people; the galleries above,
300 more. Admission, as usual, will
he by ticket. and there will he AN ample
force Of police to keep the various en-
frances clear and preserve order on the
outside. The exits have been so arranged
that the building can be emptied in a
few minutes in case of an emergency of
any kind.
To break the squatty appearance of
the wigwam there are towers sur
mounted with fiagstaffs at each corner.
AS the structure has to be torn down
within two weeks after the convention
finishes its work, very little pains will
be given to either exterior or interior
decoration. There will be national flags
and bunting galore, pictures of leading
statesmen and wreaths of flowers and
evergreens wherever they can be dis
posed to advantage. No effort will be
made to otherwise please or bewilder the
eye, since our people, who are eminently
practical, do not deem it wise to enter
into more elaborate adornment for a
building. The comfort and
convenience of both delegates and Wis
itors have been kept steadily in mind,
however, and | think it is safe to say
that in these important respects the con-
vention hall will prove eminently salts
Some little trouble has occurred be-
tween the local committee in charge of
the arrangements and the national COM
mittee in regard to the number of tickets
to be allotted Chicago. At the last Dem
convention here complaint was
made that the local allotment was IN
fair ard that certain outside gentlemen
were permitted, or rather took upon
themselves the liberty, to pack the hall
with followers Of certain candidates. In
Srder to prevent anything Of the kind
occurring this year, the local committee
has demanded 5000 tickets to dispose
Of as in their Judgment they see fit. The
national committee rendered 5000 at
first, but tn Democratic press Of the
objected 80 vigorously TO such a
slight recognition Of Chicago's rights in
the premises hat the national commit
tee drew back their proposal. Up 10
this writing the question has not been