Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-06-21

SENATOR D. 3. Hill.
stand, while higher up the space reserved for
guests Of honor were score Of nodding palms.
tire hall and probably the lars-
est ever erected for national conven-
ton, seemed part Of the hundred Of tiers Of
seats and did not appear to be distinct por-
| ton Of the structure. The rail was hidden in
shield Of the various states and portraits Of q
score Of honored democrats Of the past.
FLooKINs INTO THE HALL.
- the crowds focked into the hall almost
the first comment was that the New York dele
cation had been given back seats. Alabama,
Indiana, Iowa, Missouri, Montana, Pennsylva-
mia, Wisconsin and Wyoming we're in the front
chairs. 1t was the result of the alpha
bet, however, not Of any sinister politi-
cal design. The states highest in alphabetical
order, commencing with Alabama, were seated
nearest the speaker to the extreme right,
and the succeeding states on the roll
ranged backward. At the head of
the next aisle Iowa and Indiana we're
the fortunates ones and the next in order
alphabetically went to the rear. Missouri and
Montana were the lucky ones in the middle
aisle, where New York and Massachusetts Jared
the worst in this part of the building.
First come first served" was the order with
the spectators and the front seats on floor and
gallery were soon crowded to overlooking.
COOLEST PLACE IN THE CITY.
At 11:30 o'clock the great wigwam was the
coolest place in Chicago. The planks Of the
floor, the great timber standards, the roof-in
fact, the entire structure was yet
moist from its drenchings by furious
rains on Saturday last. The result was
cool, damp atmosphere, like that Of country
cellar n n a hot sumnor'a 1ay yyhap no lie
sweat and drip with moisture. To those
pioneer spectators who had climbed the
outer stairs and were seeking their
places the cool moisture was a grateful
change, though not permanent satisfaction.
Out in the smOke-hazed streets the slowly
moving and reeking crowds betrayed a general
impulse to move toward the lake Shore where
the great wigwam is
In parties they bent their way thitherward,
and as the muggy morning grew in age others
and more people were drawn within the cur
rent As the bells tolled the hour of IL the
pioneers reached the hall and the crowd had
established a steady flow, then the pioneers dis
appeared within the monstrous barracks like
bees who creep over the sill of their hives and
disappear within.
rail of the upper gallery. Hundreds of others
ambled down the aisles in the lower gallery and
pressed forward to the front places. All seemed
to have brought fans, and the flash Of these be-
fore hundreds Of dripping faces lent life to the
growing scene.
The great press stand was early astir and
ranging up behind the news writer's the solid
Oaken chairs provided for the notable specta-
tors became filed with occupants.
RoPED IN LIKE PRIZE RING.
The convention hall was roped in like glgan-
tic prize ring and guarded by strong force Of
police 1t was a muggy, sticky. sweltering
Chicago day. The air thick with smoke
that respiration was difficult. Occasionally
the sun struggled through the gloom, only to
make more plainly visible the perpetually
descending SCOT fakes. Through these cheer
less surroundings the vast crowds forced their
way, hedged in by alternate layers of livery sta
bles and huge Chicago Office buildings on one
side and by tall bill posters boardings, shutting
out the view Of the lake.
Conspicuous, painted signs indicated the diff
ferent sections for which tickets of admission
to the wigwam had been issued, and small
army OF deputy sergeants-at-arms super
intended the process Of packing the delegates
and spectators into their allotted places,
Fully two hours before the time set for the
began to climb the outside stairs and tumbled
themselves inside the ugly wooden box much
after the way in which Shem, Ham and Japhet
and the little wooden animals are let down into
the toy Noah's ark
Perambulating bands and marching pro-
streets But inside the building the effect Of
the decorations was lost in the immensely of
space and the depressing obscur-
ity Of the opaque atmosphere. The
thousands Of yards Of bunting and the unique
collection Of papier mache spread eagles;
distemper portraits Of dead heroes and emilia
zoned allegories Of fame and victory were
barely discernible and their effect was lost in
the cavernous depths Of almost limitless
space. Yet, notwithstanding the preparations
made, they were none too great for the crowds
which sought to gain admission, or failing in
that, to get glimpse into the building from
the outside.
The constructors Of the wigwam claimed that
it would pack 10000 people standing and seat
$4,000. Apparently these limits were reached,
but as for hearing the speeches or discerning
the features OF the speakers, the great majority
OF the audience was about as well off as the on
lockers at spectacular exhibition Of the Fall
of Babylon
Nevertheless the discomforts were in great
part taken good humoredly, and to be in and to
vention seemed to be soul-satisfying glory
enough, even for the most exacting.
CALLED TO ORDER.
At 11:50 o'clock the first shout went up. A
blue satin banner, the ensign Of the Horace
Boies Club Of Davenport, Iowa, was borne
forward to the convention floor and
beneath and behind it came the
rugged men who Will sit in the convention and
vote for their governor to the last ditch Close
behind thom followed Bourke Cochran, Gov,
Flower and Lieut.. Gov. Sheehan.
RICHARD CROKER.
Behind the trio came Richard Croker and the
cry started: "Theres Croker! there's the Tam
many chiefr'
While the New Workers were seating them
selves in the center Of the hall Illinois filed in
on the right. The sound of band music and the
rattle Of drum beats preceded a magnificent
blue banner carried by Pennsylvania to the
seats on the left.
Then in groups and in pairs and single
other states trailed to their places. Meantime
the galleries we're filling rapidly, and as they
recognized their friends among the delegations
shouts were launched upon the air that was
growing momentarily more dense and murky
1t was high noon. and q shadow crept UP
from the north and the skylights in that direc-
ton became clouded. The shadow grew larger
within the great hall and a hush crept over the
throng a. sense Of impending storm came
upon them.
Was the roof again to be blown away? Would
terrific wind come out of the growing black
ness? Was there danger? Would there be peril
in remaining?
THE STORM.
There came . vivid fash Of light, while a re-
port Of thunder reached the anxious crowd.
At length 20 great was the outer blackness
H.