The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1892-06-09
REPUBLICAN CONVENTION
TEMPORARY ORGANIZATION PERFECT
ED WITH FAssET IN THE CHAIR.
0vations rendered Tom Reed, Mckinley and
Other Prominent Republicans-Every
Mention Of the Plumed Knight
Produces Applause.


delegates are in fighting mood and
are ill-natured to the point of saw
agery and that is the opening of the
Republican National convention to
nominate candidate for president OF
the United States. Proba bly, never in
the history of an American political
convention has prayer of record
power been more urgently needed
than when soon after twelve the
words to the Almighty marked the
opening of the convention.
They were heard by thous-
ands, who in the morning had been
silently or otherwise cursing the rain
and the situation as to presidential
candidates. Just before the conven-
tion was called to order, a sudden
burst of sunlight coming through the
200 foot long skylight helped to
dispel the dullness of the the interior
of the hall and rendered more cheerful
the coloring of the broad ceilings and
harmoniously tinted seats and aisles
obstructed only by four large national
flags artistically draped on each side
of the immense square auditorium on
old gold pillars, each bearing sheet
of good grain scarcely distinguishable
against the maze of II, 900 chairs, while
single floral decoration was great
vase of evergreens and white lilies
on the platform. This and noble
looking canopy of silk at the main en-
trance were the only features to dis
tract the attention from lasting i'm
preston of the vastness of the audito-
rum.
road-shouldered Tom Reed was
the first man of national fame to ap-
pear, but he slipped out before the au-
dience had an opportunity to see him.
On the floor among the delegates could
be seen ray-bearded Hit of Illinois,
while Clarkson of Iowa sat modestly
in delegates chair chatting with
friends. The first applause was
given to Mckinley of Ohio as he pass
ed down the main aisle to seat in the
Ohio delegation. Chauncy Depew,
Hiscock, Warner, Miller and .sPlatt
came in and were generously ap-
plauded. Next came the Illinois dele
cation with Cullom, accompanied by
whispers of "dark horse" and follow
ing them came the white and gold
banner of the California delegation,
borne straight to the right of the
speakers chair. Scarcely had they
taken seats when great outbreak
announced the entrance of man with
white, close cropped hair, peculiarly
receding forehead, wearing google
like spectacles-"Peppery,".. "..Ex-Sena-
tor Ingalls, of Kansas. A, moment
later formidable looking manuscript
was unfolded at the speakers desk
1t was the roll of the convention. 1t
was fitting that during theassembling
of the convention, the patriotic airs
columbia" ""Star Spangled Banner
and "My Country 'Tis of Thee"
should be prelude, and scarcely had
the last echo died away when Chair
man Clarkson of the national commit
tee raped the tenth Republican
national convention to order.
Prayer was offered by Rev. VIM
Bush, chancellor of the university of
Dakota, who prayed that the delibera-
tions Of the convention might be free
from partisanship and that nation
loyal to the principles of His word
should be preserved.
Hon. M. HI. DeYoung of California,
read the official call and then Clark
son, asinstructed by the national COM
mittee, nominated for temporary
chairman j. Sloat Fassett of New
York. There was a moment of silence
while everybody awaited action by
the Harrisonites in opposition to the
committees selection. But the con-
test did not take place, and when the
question was submitted not one op-
posing vote to Fassett's election.
"Your temporary chairman, gentle
men," was the introduction by Clark
son to the convention and then
it was expected Blaine DEM
onstration was forthcoming. One
prolonged cheer resounded through
the hall and galleries and the
Blaine delegates as one man rising
saluted their chairman.
Fassetts speech on assuming the
chair was enthusiastically received
by the Blaine men and some approval
by Harrisonites. Allusions to recip-
rocity and protection and statement
hat the party was greater than any
me man, provoked loud demonstra-
ions, but the height of enthusiasm
was reached when he said when the
nomination was made there would be
Dut o choice and he the nominee of
he convention; one purpose and that
lis election. GAIL the other candid
ates are strong men said he," some
nay be stronger than others but it is
,ur duty to select the strongest. APP