The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-06-22
Congressman Wilson, of West Virginia,
Selected for Permanent Chairman.
Anti-Snappers Withdraw Their Contest After
Lively War Of WOrds-POinis from the
Pla,icrm-Silyer 10 BE Straddled.
SCENES IN THE wIGwAAI.

The Place Enveloped by Portentous
shadow-Delegates and Spectators.
CHICAGO. June 21.-A circus tent, trebly
magniied, with dozen huge white pen
dants stretching from covering TO floor
that was the appearance of the big Demo
cratic wigwam when the national conven-
ton assembled to-day. The supposed
pendants of shining canvas were. In real
ity. circular canopies floating In the sky,
but in reality a substantial roof of wood
raised some distance above the
walls TO admit light and air above
from every direction. Greater magnitude,
but naturally less appearance of perma-
nency and beauty of finish, distinguished
the mammoth temporary structure from
the Republican convention hall at Mime
apolis. There tho predomin ating tint was
old gold-here almost glare of white.
lieved only by vivid bands of red and blue.
The vista OF seats--a total exceeding twen-
ty thousand seemed to lengthen out
right and left, before and behind,
till the eye became bewildered.
Silken banners of blue inscribed with
the names of the States and distributed
about the area or floor forming the center
of the structure. showed were the votes
we're to come from, that within few
hours ct the most would name the win
ming candidate. All around were the ris-
ing tiers OF seats containing the spectators
who if they could not vote IN the conven-
tion, were at least able to cheer and yell 10
their hearts content.
The chairman's desk the same over which
Cleveland and Hendricks were nominated
In lSSA, WAS surmounted By two immense
bouquets of p2onIes and long green ferns.
Banks of fresh foliage were piled against
the tables of the newspaper men on each
side of the speakers stand, while higher mp
in the space reserved for guests Of honor
were scores OF noddipg palms. The gallery
though encircling the entire ball and prob
ably the largest ever erected for q national
convention. seemed 20 form part of the
hundreds Of tiers of seats and not distinct
portion of the structure. The rail was hid
den in countless small flags, and bore at
intervals the shields OF the various states
and portraits OF the score OF honored Dem
ocrats of the past-flendricks and Doug
las, and others back 10 the beginning Of
the party.
HOW TIE DELEGATIONS WERE ARRANGED.
As the crowds fiocked into the hall nj.
most the first comment was that the New
York delegation had been given back seats.
Alabama. Indiana. Iowa, Missouri, Mon
tana, Pennsylvania. Wisconsin and Wyom-
ing were in the front chairs liz was the
result of the alphabet, however, not of
any sinister political design. The States
highest In alphabetical order commencing
with Alabama. were seated nearest the
speaker TO the extreme right and the sue
ceeding States on the roll ranged back
ward At tho head OF the next aisle Iowa
and Indiana were the fortunate ones aud
the next in order alphabetically went TO
the rear. Missouri and Montana were the
lucky ones IN the middle aisle. while New
York and Massachusetts Jared the worst In
this part of the binding.
At half-pasb III O'Clock the great wigwam
was the coolest place In Chicago. The
planks of the floor. the great timber stan.
dards in fact the entire structure. was yct
moist from it's drenchIng by the furious
rains on Saturday last. fhe result was q
cool, damp atmos phere. almost like n CONN.,
try cellar on hot summers day. when the
walls sweat and drip with moisture. 10
those pioneer spectators who had climbed
the outer stairs and were seeking their
places, the cool moisture was grateful.
though not permanent. satIefaction-
Out in the smoke-hazed streets the slowly
moving and reeking cncwds betrayed -