The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1892-06-13
CONVENTION ECHOES.
Col. Potter on the National Committee
Where to Go Next Time.

Col. Potter on the National Committee =
Where to Go Next Time.
EDITORIAL CORRESPONDENCE OF Tar NEwsl
NORTH ADAMS, June 13.-The Rhode
Island delegation expect to reach Provi-
dence this afternoon. They're more than
satisfied with the work of the Convention.
Tho manner of the selection of Rhode
Islands member of the National Commit
tee was rather interesting. When the
Con vention met on Wednesday no selec-
ton had been made, and 1t had not been
supposed that it was necessary to act at
once. But at the Wednesday session the
names of the new committeeman were
called for. Alabama began by asking for
more time on account OF the contest.
The Rhode Island delegates held hur-
ried, whispered caucus; Precedent was
that q National Committeeman should
hold Office but one term. Some one sug
gested the name of Col Potter. "The
very thing,o was the instant comment,
and without a ballot and in less time than
it takes to write it the thing was done.
And II the delegation had mulled over
it seven-tenths of an hour it couldn't have
done better.
Where shall the convention of 1896 be
helds
1t is little earlv to ask this question
but IL the vote of the newspaper men
were to be taken to-day, they'd settle 1t
to go to Minneapolis again. It's long
journey from the Atlantic coast. but this
admitted no city has ever handled u con-
vention better IL so well.
One day the members Of the press were
taken upon an excursion to Lake Mime
tonka which is to Minneapolis what
Coney Island is to New York and the Bay
TO Providence. 1t is a beautiful lake and
it is beautiful day, but quite as remark
able as anything In the scene was the
heartiness Of the entire affair. 1t was
like everything and everybody in the
Northwest, free and generous.
The air here is fresh and invigoratinR.
There are possibilities of great heat in the
climate, but it is nearly always tempered
by prairie breeze The surroundings o r
Mississippi, rapid rushing stream cut
ing both cities in twain, ozonizing the at
mosphere and presenting with its islands
and its great sweeping curve an endless
succession OF mighty pictures. Start
from Convention Hall and swing a
mighty circuit Of thirty miles and more
about both cities. 1t will touch, In sue
cession to the right, the State farm, ex-
pertinent station and agricultural college,
Como park and lake, st. Paul's river
front, Fort Smelling. the marvelously
beautiful Minnehaha falls and park,
and the soldiers home, Rice lake, Ame-
liza lake, the Minnehaha Creek valley.
Lakes Harriet, Calhoun, Cedar and the
Lake Of the Isles, Great lake and park.
the latter from Minnehaha fails, all con-
nected by wide aud fine boulevard
Within this circle and to some extent
without it are lakes and small parks in
both cities. In Minneapolis alone are tbs
whole or part of ten fine ponds. Outside
of the city line lies Lake Minnetonka and
a wide, wide State more beautiful than
Eastern folk can believe q prairie State to
be- Wild flowers grow in profusion, the
grass is green, and the trees bow and
sheen in the sunlight. The wide fiat
prospect is not monotonous. 1t Is beauti-
Iul.
The frank manners of the people are
refreshing, reminding one OF New Eng
land in the old days before caste lines
were drawn as they are now and Eu-
ropean ideas of etiquette began to pre-
vail. One night rode in from the Min
nehaha Falls on an electric Beside me
sat tall, thin girl Of very plain but
sensible countenance. Not at all the
kind Of person to seek TO attract atten-
ton. OF her own accord she turned to
me and began explaining points about
the city and discussing the convention
very intelligently. An Eastern girl
would have kept silence.
Are there physical peculiarities here
different from the East Yes, quite
marked. The average statue is greater
here than in Rhode Island. ~ il is proba-
bly greater in Rhode Island than in
Massachusetts among the native born at
least. The men are seldom fat, and fire.
ouently show Swedish blood. The
Women are fair more often than in the
East, tall and finely formed with fresh
and healthy, but not always clear COM
plexions. Eye glasses are much less COM
mon than in the East, shoes and hats are
bigger.
The city was full of thieves and soiled
doves, but they came from afar. Few Of
them live there. Normally the town is
moral and sober. Considering the num-
Der of strangers present, it was marvel
ously so last week. Chicago will have a
different tale TO tell. j. l.. III.